Law 4: Death Ground Strategy Flashcards
What does the author mean by the term “Death Ground Strategy?”
When you actively create a scenario in which there’s no escape - this is death ground. Your back is against the wall, and you have to fight like hell to get out alive.
Why do you need a death ground?
Your mental safety net prevents you from being fully committed to your cause
What is the danger of having a mental safety net?
You don’t get fully committed to your cause
How is thinking of mortality useful?
We tend to act like we’re going to live forever. Remembering that we are going to die is a good way to stop acting lethargically.
What is the ships metaphor for creating a death ground for yourself?
Bore holes in the returning fleet of ships. There’s no turning back.
There’s only one way, and that is to conquer and vanquish the enemy, or DIE.
When you put yourself on death ground, how do you think about your dreams?
You stop thinking about your dreams. You think ONLY about the issue right in front of you.
When you put yourself on death ground, what do you choose to do at any given moment?
You involve yourself completely in the current problem.
What are the different ways in which you can induce death ground desperation?
- One BHAG instead of 10 different punts
- Act before you’re ready
- Leave your comfort zone
- Siege mentality
- Keep yourself restless and unsatisfied
How do BHAGs help create death ground mentality?
When you’ve put all your eggs in one basket, success is the only option. If you fail, you lose everything. This makes you put your everything into the project to make it happen.
How does acting before you’re ready create a death ground mentality?
When you act before you’re ready, the desperation of the challenges will FORCE you to do well. You won’t be complacent or too over prepared. But your effort levels will be higher than 100%.
How does leaving your comfort zone create a death ground mentality?
In a comfortable job or relationship, you become complacent and settle into inertia. You don’t try different things and become an easy target. Trying something new and challenging makes you work harder and being out of your comfort zone means you’ll challenge yourself to do more than if you were in the inertia of a comfortable situation.
How does siege mentality help create a death ground mentality?
Everyone HATES me and wants me to fail.
I’ll stick it up their asses and show them. No one can be happy at my expense.
What happens when you’re well-rested and satisfied?
A lack of challenge leads to a lack of energy. This leads to lethargy. You become an easy target.
How can you defend against this state of being well-rested and satisfied?
You actively keep yourself restless and unsatisfied.
What is a good way to keep yourself restless and unsatisfied?
Take a risk. Your mind and body will respond with a rush of energy.
