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BLUEPRINT - War

1. FOCUS

2. PURPOSE
The central theme of The 33 Strategies of War is mastering the art of strategy to navigate lifeʼs conflicts with
precision and foresight.

By distilling lessons from history, military campaigns, and psychological principles, the book equips you to approach
challenges - from personal rivalries to professional battles - as opportunities for growth and success. Greene
emphasizes that strategic thinking is a skill anyone can develop to thrive in competitive and uncertain environments.

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 3. KEY CONCEPTS

☝ The structure of The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene bookmirrors the progression of a strategic
campaign, guiding us through each stage of preparation and execution.

Each phase builds on the one before it, equipping you with the precision and foresight needed to navigate and
win conflicts at any level.

Part I: Self-Directed Warfare

👉 Mastering yourself is the foundation of all external victories. Prepare mentally and emotionally to face
conflict with clarity and discipline.

n° Title Strategies Key Concepts

• Identify True Enemies: Pay attention to actions, not words.

Observe patterns of deceit or hostility, but avoid paranoia.
Declare War on Your
1 The Polarity Strategy •
Enemies
Fight Yourself First: Channel challenges into growth. Stay calm,
define your values, and avoid emotional reactions.

• Avoid Complacency: Past success doesn’t guarantee future

victory. Adapt and innovate.
•
The Guerrilla-War-of-the- Learn, But Don’t Overthink: Recognize failure as a teacher, not a
2 Do Not Fight the Last War
Mind Strategy roadblock. Act decisively in the present.
•
Stay Flexible: Continuously question your strategies and beliefs
to avoid stagnation.

• Control Emotions: Detach from chaos and focus on clarity.

•
Take Action: Ground yourself in achievable tasks to regain focus
Amidst Turmoil, Do Not Lose The Counterbalance
3 during crises.
Presence of Mind Strategy
•
Face Adversity: Train your mind by confronting challenges
head-on.

• Commit Fully: Eliminate safety nets to focus all energy on the

goal.
Create a Sense of Urgency
4 The Death-Ground Strategy
and Desperation
• Leverage High Stakes: Place yourself in environments where
failure isn’t an option.

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 Part II: Organizational (Team) Warfare

👉 The focus shifts to interactions with others and strategies to manage and lead groups. Victory requires a
disciplined, united group aligned with a shared mission.

n° Title Strategies Key Concepts

• Clear Vision: Provide inspiring yet flexible commands.

• Strategic Roles: Assign tasks matching each member’s

Avoid the Snare of The Command-and-Control
5 strengths.
Groupthink Strategy

• Encourage Critique: Balance collaboration with decisive

leadership.

• Decentralize for Speed: Empower smaller groups with

autonomy and clear goals.
The Controlled-Chaos
6 Segment Your Forces •
Strategy
Maintain Cohesion: Align actions through shared philosophy and
regular check-ins.

• Unite with a Purpose: Inspire action through an emotionally

compelling mission.
•
Transform War into a Lead by Example: Earn respect by facing challenges alongside
7 The Morale Strategies
Crusade your team.
•
Eliminate Negativity: Remove chronic disruptors to preserve
morale.

Part III: Defensive Warfare

👉 Defensive warfare is a masterstroke of control. By staying resilient, protecting your position, and waiting for
the perfect moment to strike, you can turn even the strongest
aggressor’s force against them.

n° Title Strategies Key Concepts

• Know Your Limits: Conserve energy for impactful actions.

Avoid the Snare of The Command-and-Control •
8
Groupthink Strategy Strategic Targeting: Strike where it hurts most for maximum
efficiency.

• Counterattack Wisely: Wait for your opponent to expose their

weaknesses before striking.
9 Turn the Tables The Counterattack Strategy
• Stay Silent: Resist reacting impulsively to maintain control over
the conflict.

• Project Unpredictability: Instill fear and doubt in potential

aggressors.
Create a Threatening
10 Deterrence Strategies •
Presence
Build Reputation: Consistently demonstrate strength to deter
challenges.

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 n° Title Strategies Key Concepts

The Nonengagement • Strategic Retreat: Use nonengagement to regain control and

11 Trade Space for Time
Strategy exhaust your opponent.

4. ACTIONABLE STEPS - The Journey to Become a Strategic

Thinker

👉 This section is about taking action. Through these tools and exercises, you'll start applying the strategies in
your daily life, enhancing your decision-making and leadership abilities.

The Enemy Identification Table

💡 The goal of this table is to help you identify both internal and external obstacles (your "enemies") that
influence your mindset and actions, so you can understand their impact and learn to manage or overcome
them.

Instructions:

Step 1: Review the Questions

Carefully go through the following reflective questions to determine whether your obstacles stem from
internal or external sources

Step 2: Identify Your Enemy

From the list of potential enemies provided (internal and external), select the ones that resonate with your
challenge.

Internal Enemies:

Fear of failure

Perfectionism

Self-doubt

Negative self-talk

Procrastination

Lack of discipline

Fear of rejection

Overthinking

Insecurity

Impostor syndrome

External Enemies:

Toxic relationships (friends, family, colleagues)

Overwhelming responsibilities

Distracting environment

Financial stress

Peer pressure

Unsupportive community

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 Cultural or societal expectations

Lack of resources (time, money, tools)

Step 3: Explain Why This is Your Enemy

For each enemy you’ve identified, ask yourself:

Why is this enemy holding me back?

How is it affecting my decisions, emotions, or actions?

Step 4: Reflect and Strategize

Now that you’ve identified your enemy and its effects, consider how you can address it:

What practical steps can you take to manage or overcome it?

What resources, habits, or mindset shifts can help neutralize its influence?

Internal Enemies

Next Step to
_ Questions Answer Enemy Why This is My Enemy
Overcome It

I avoid opportunities
What fears or insecurities hold Start with small risks
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me back? and track results.
fail.

What negative thoughts limit "I’m not good It stops me from pursuing Practice daily
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my growth? enough.” ambitious goals. affirmations.

Do I procrastinate, and if so,

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why?

What emotional triggers

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consistently derail me?

Am I comparing myself to
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me?

What beliefs about myself or

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External Enemies

Why This is My Next Step to

_ Questions Answer Enemy
Enemy Overcome It

Constant negativity Limit interactions

Are there people draining Yes, a toxic
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my energy? colleague.
mood. boundaries.

My workspace is Chaos leads to Organize and

Is my environment helping
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or hurting me?
distracting. stress. workspace.

What external distractions

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overwhelm me?

What societal or cultural

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decisions?

The Strategic Challenge Table

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 💡 The goal of this table is to challenge your preconceptions and push you beyond your comfort zone.

Instructions:

Step 1: Reflect on Past Influence

Identify a recent victory or failure that still influences your thoughts and actions today. This could be
something like a past success that boosts your confidence or a failure that has created a mental block.

Step 2: Identify Your Mental Barriers

Recognize any mental habits, fears, or beliefs that stem from your past experience. These could be limiting
beliefs, fears of failure, or misconceptions that hold you back.

Step 3: Set a Challenging Task

Choose a task that goes against your current comfort zone or preconceptions. This could involve doing
something you’re afraid of or something that challenges your beliefs.

Step 4: Explain the Importance of This Challenge

Define why this challenge is crucial for your growth. Explain how overcoming it can help you break free from
limiting mental barriers and move closer to your larger goals.

Step 5:Assess the Stakes (Death-Ground)

Reflect on the worst-case scenario if you don’t take action. What could you lose? Conversely, describe the
positive outcomes if you succeed—this is your motivation to take action.

Step 6: Set a Non-Negotiable Deadline

Create a strict deadline for completing this challenge. The pressure of a deadline can push you to take
action.

Step 7: Actionable Steps

Break down the challenge into clear, actionable steps that you can begin immediately. Each step should
push you further toward accomplishing the challenge and breaking through mental barriers.

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Reflect Your to Push Challenge is Outcome if I Outcome if
_ Deadline Actio
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 The Leadership in Action Table

💡 Now, with a clearer understanding of yourself and the forces shaping your decisions, it's time to shift focus
outward. The tools ahead will help you master external challenges and seize ppportunities effectively.

Instructions:

Step 1: Establish the Vision

Start by identifying a clear goal for the day or week.

Step 2: Provide Inspiring Commands

Write down instructions that set a direction while allowing for flexibility.

Avoid micromanagement—focus on the what and the why, but leave space for the team to determine the
how.

Step 3: Assign Strategic Roles

Consider your team members’ strengths and assign tasks accordingly.

Ensure each person feels confident and capable in their role.

Step 4: Encourage Critique

Plan a moment to gather input from your team.

Create a safe space where honest feedback is encouraged and appreciated.

Step 5: Enable Autonomous Action

Identify tasks or decisions that can be handled independently.

Empower smaller groups or individuals to act without constant oversight, but provide clear goals.

Step 6: Check for Cohesion

Schedule a brief check-in to align everyone on progress and priorities.

This can be a daily huddle or a weekly meeting depending on the project's needs.

Step 7: Connect Actions to a Greater Purpose

Remind your team why their efforts are important.

Highlight how the goal contributes to a larger mission or vision.

Step 8: Lead by Example

Choose one way to work alongside your team, showing that you’re equally committed.

This builds trust and demonstrates leadership through action.

Step 9: Manage Negativity

Proactively address any challenges or disruptors that may impact team morale.

Approach issues constructively and privately when necessary.

Step 10: Reflect on Results

After completing the leadership cycle, take a moment to review your performance.

Note what worked well and identify areas for improvement in your approach.

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 Vision
Inspiring P
_ Date for the Strategic Encourage Autonomous Cohesion
Progress Command Rem
Day/Week Roles Critique Action Check

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The Strategic Shield Framework

💡 The goal of this table is to help you identify when you’re under attack, conserve your resources, and respond
strategically by leveraging the principles of defensive warfare.

Instructions:

Step 1: Identify the Threat

Write down any situation or individual that feels like an obstacle or attack. Be specific and objective.

Step 2: Analyze the Threat Type and Urgency

Classify the type of threat (direct, subtle, situational).

Assign a level of urgency to help prioritize your actions.

Step 3: Choose a Strategy

Select the defensive tactic that best aligns with the situation. Use the provided strategies to guide your
response.

Step 4: Plan an Action

Detail the steps you will take to address or mitigate the threat while preserving your resources and control.

Step 5: Reflect on the Outcome

After resolving the situation, revisit the table to evaluate the effectiveness of your strategy and identify
lessons for future scenarios.

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 Potential Type of Urgency Response Planned Outcome
_ Date
Threat Threat Level Strategy Action Reflection)

Observe
Colleague Gained clarity
Subtle behavior and
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me escalating.
evidence.

Delegate low- Finished

Critical Situational Conserve
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deadline Pressure Energy
focus on this. minimal stress.

☝ The final part of this blueprint, covering strategies from Part IV and V, will be available with the release of the
second part of the video—stay tuned! 😉

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