Two years ago, I published my first book, “Always Improving: Lessons from the Samurai.” In this book, I explain how samurai principles apply to modern personal and professional life challenges. I continue to live by the step-by-step guide I provided for incorporating more of the bushidō code into your life, and I hope you do, too. I believe that the samurai were more than just warriors; they lived by a code of discipline and continuous improvement that we can all learn from. In today’s fast-paced world, these ancient lessons hold the key to unlocking success and harmony in our everyday lives.
Key Samurai Lessons for Modern Life
Some people believe that the past should remain in the past. However, learning from the past and applying those lessons to the present is essential to avoid repeating past mistakes. In mentoring relationships, mentors draw on their experiences to guide their mentees, helping them avoid pitfalls and reach their full potential. If you left the past in the past, how would mentors be effective?
The samurai passed on their knowledge and experience by demonstrating self-discipline and a commitment to continuous improvement. They understood that their daily efforts to enhance their skills could be a matter of life and death. They embodied a mindset of constant improvement, similar to the concept of kaizen, albeit in a different context from our modern understanding.
Adaptability in changing circumstances was vital to the samurai way of life. In today’s world, being resilient and adaptable is crucial for personal and professional success. Embracing change and building resilience is vital, especially as the pace of change continues to accelerate.
How to Apply These Lessons Today
Self-discipline, a hallmark of the bushidō code, is similar to a muscle in our body. When you consistently use and challenge a muscle, it grows. Self-discipline is no different. If you struggle with this, start small. Set one daily goal and stick to it for at least a month or until it becomes a habit. Once you have a goal, consider how to make minor, steady improvements to achieve a better outcome. When you identify what you want to improve, adjust your mindset to embrace the change as a positive step toward your goal. Embrace the change and improvement, and you’ll find yourself getting closer to your goal faster than you thought was possible. The Navy Seals have a term for this adaptability, “Embrace the suck.” Sometimes, change isn’t the easiest thing to do, and quite frankly, it can be awkward and uncomfortable. Don’t let the discomfort keep you from reaching your goal and potential.
Looking Forward to the Next Issue
In the following newsletter, I’ll dive into another powerful topic: “Cultivating resilience and acceptance from my second book “The War Within Us.” Stay tuned for that coming in about two weeks.
While you are waiting for that to arrive, if you decide to take on the challenge of setting a goal, I would love to hear how your progress unfolds. You can reply to this email with your thoughts, and/or results on how it went for you.
To survive as a samurai, you must keep pushing forward, even when the path is uncertain. Only through steady progress will you find strength and success. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from one of the most prolific samurai to have lived, Miyamoto Mushashi,
“It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.”
Onward,
Steve
Steve Beauchamp 