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An amazing connection exists between a book written in the early 17th century and the philosophy of Getting Things Done. The Book of Family Traditions, written by Yagyu Munenori is sometimes called a companion volume to Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings. Focusing on the technical and spiritual elements of swordmanship and martial arts, these books provide strategies for those who wish to learn about the elements of conflict in order to succeed. The Taoist and Zen aspects of these works are secondary to their nature as manuals in training your mind and body to be in harmony.

As David Allen writes in Ready for Anything, “You Have to Do Something to Know Something”:

The development of real knowledge requires intentional activity…as you faithfully move your body, your thinking, and your spirit, things will unfold that would be inaccessible in any other way.

This very same approach is described clearly by Munenori in the scroll known as The Killing Sword:

…Mental preparation is essential. If you do not think of your adversary in the aggressive mode, the techniques you have been learning all along will be of no avail once you are attacked with great vehemence the very instant the duel starts.

Once you have faced off, it is essential to put your mind, body, and feet in the aggressive mode. You should be sure to pay attention to what is there. This is what is meant by the saying “Take what is there in hand.” If you do not observe with the utmost calm, the sword techniques you have learned will not be useful.

A s for the matter of “hearing the sound of wind and water”, this means being calm and quiet above while keeping an aggressive mood underneath. Wind has no sound; it produces sound when it hits things…Water also has no sound when it is falling from above; it makes a frantic sound down below when it comes down and hits things.

The techniques of Getting Things Done are of no use if you do not approach them with the proper frame of mind. Remain calm, prepare yourself mentally and physically, and let the system guide you into accomplishing what needs to be done. Like the martial artist, poised to strike, you can look at your Next Actions “in the aggressive mode” and make a choice. You can have confidence that your choice is made with integrity and that what you are doing right now is exactly what you should be doing.

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