Winning Before You Start

In the second Karate Kid movie (which I enjoyed. And by the way, I predict that we’ll never see Jaden Smith in another KK movie — I don’t think he wants to push himself as hard as he did the first time) there is a scene I love. In the movie, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) takes Daniel-San (Ralph Macchio) to Okinawa with him. There, they encounter Miyagi’s old dojo-mate, friend, and wealthy, deadly rival Sato (Danny Kamekona) who seeks to manipulate Miyagi into a death duel. Finally enraged, Sato threatens to destroy the entire village of Miyagi’s youth if Miyagi doesn’t fight. Miyagi reluctantly agrees under one condition: no matter what happens, the villagers get their mortgages back and will own their land forever.

When Daniel-San asks why Miyagi accepted the fight, “what if you lose?” his teacher tells him that he has already won. No matter what happens, the most important thing: the safety of the village — has already been secured.

In essence…never fight for something you aren’t willing to die for. And to the limit of your capacity, set it up so that, no matter what, you win. Simply by stepping into the arena, you win. Just by asking for that date. Just for submitting that story. “I either win, or I learn.” “I didn’t fail…I now know eight thousand ways not to make a light bulb.” “I have been true to my heart, my values, my mentors.”

Today is a good day to die. Set it up right…and you win before you begin.

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