Learn on the ground, reflect in the temple

"Before battle, yet in the temple, one predicts victory, having obtained calculations for an excess [of advantages]."
- Sun Tzu

"Learn on the ground, reflect in the temple" is a mantra I try to remind myself often whenever I find myself thinking too much about my future. Oftentimes, when I’m thinking too much, I just end up getting depressed.

The basic premise is this: In the everyday grind of life, that’s when you should be observing, taking notes, learning new skills - in short, gathering intelligence.

Then, each day, take a step back and assess:

• What are my options?
• What are my goals?
• What should I do next?

Then go back to the grind and act accordingly.

Both learning on the ground and reflecting in the temple are essential: they complement each other.

If you learn too much on the ground without reflecting, then while you may be enjoying life and keeping yourself busy, you eventually end up feeling lost, without a sense of future.

On the other hand, if you reflect too much in the temple without learning and experiencing on the ground, then you’ll find yourself getting depressed with how much you’re just standing still, not doing anything but evaluating your life's direction and making dreams.

Learning on the ground is about taking control of the present; reflecting in the temple is about taking control of the future.

Keep a healthy balance between the two, and you’ll find yourself accomplishing great things.