4.11

"[For positioning,] the military method is:

1. Measure
2. Quantify
3. Count
4. Weigh
5. Win

Ground allows for measuring. Measuring allows for quantifying. Quantifying allows for counting. Counting allows for weighing. Weighing allows for winning."
- Sun Tzu

Going back to his mathematical approach to warfare, Sun Tzu here details a set of steps the general can use to determine the best position given the situation. We'll break each of these steps down.

It starts with the Ground. If you recall Book 1, the Ground reflects the quality of your options. Sun Tzu himself defines the Ground by specific qualities: high and low, open and narrow, near and far, difficult and easy, and deadly and nourishing. It is the general's role to measure the quality of his options - that is, he must determine their qualities.

For example, a general may have two different options in a situation (Ground). He can take the low, open ground that is near, but difficult and deadly. Or he can take the high, narrow ground that is far, but easy and nourishing.

From here, the general must quantify his measurements. He must determine how high or low, how near or far, how difficult or easy, how deadly and nourishing his option is. 

Next, the general must count each of the advantages. In general, these are the rules for positioning: The higher, narrower, nearer, easier, and more nourishing the ground, the better it is. The lower, more open, farther, more difficult, and more deadly the ground, the worse it is. Thus, counting here means "rating." Adding up the advantages and disadvantages, the general has a good sense of the overall quality or "rating" of the ground.

Next, the general must weigh, or compare, his options. The option with the higher rating is the better option. It is by comparing and choosing the option that the general wins.

This same method can be applied to your own life. You too will be faced with multiple options when it comes to achieving your endeavor. You can calculate your options using the qualities of the Ground.

The first quality is elevation, which is related to how much visibility you'll have. The "higher" the option, the greater your ability to see and know the different players. The lower the option, the less you know. A promotion, for example, where you have greater visibility of how the departments work together affords you advantages in knowing how the work environment works.

The second quality is openness, which is related to how competitive the option or environment is. The more open it is, the greater potential for competition. A job posting, for example, that only requires 1 year of experience in a certain field is going to be way more competitive than a job posting that requires 10 years of experience. Thus, the first job opportunity is going to be more open than the second one.

The third quality is distance, which relates to how much time it'll take to achieve the option. The smaller the distance, the better the option. So an investment that takes 1 year to recoup its investment is better than an investment that takes 5 years to recoup.

The fourth quality is difficulty, which relates to the amount of effort you must put in. An option that is more difficult requires more effort. Thus, an easier option is better than a more difficult one. For example, building a house from scratch is going to require more effort and take up more time than simply buying a new house.

The last quality is health, which refers to how beneficial or hurtful the option will be for you in the short or long term. Obviously, the more healthy an option is, the better it is for you. Addictions - such as drugs, alcohol, gambling - would be a clear example of an unhealthy option, but there are more subtle ones. Getting into a relationship with someone who is exciting, but unstable, can be unhealthy in the long run. Getting a job in a workplace that is high paying, but toxic, can also be detrimental to your mental and emotional health.

In evaluating your options, measure and rate each option before making a decision. Don't rush into decision-making - calculate your options. Then choose the option with the best rating. By consistently using this method, you'll make better and better choices, putting you closer and closer to the path you want to be on.