The way of the warrior

Yale YoungbloodIn my all-time favorite movie, “The Last Samurai,” there’s a scene in which the protagonist, Capt. Nathan Algren (played by Tom Cruise), is engaged in a sword-training exercise that isn’t going particularly well for our hero. One of his new Samurai friends, Nobutada, runs over to Algren and offers advice. “Please forgive,” the ever-polite Japanese warrior says to Algren following a slight bow. “Too many mind.”

Algren, clearly confused, repeats what Nobutada just told him, only in question form: “Too many mind?”

“Hai,” says Nobutada, using the Japanese word for “yes.” “Mind the sword. Mind the people watch. Mind the enemy. Too many mind.”

The gist? Algren’s new “mentor” was trying to tell him that he was over-thinking his situation. Instead of simply reacting—as a great warrior must do—he was analyzing, plotting a possible plan of attack, anticipating his opponent’s next move. Meanwhile, as he analyzed, plotted and anticipated, a bamboo sword was making a beeline toward the very noggin he was using to process his situation. In English or in Japanese, the math is the same: Swift sword > inefficient thought process every time.

I bring up this scene—and its message—to suggest that many in our industry are struggling in the biggest battle of their professional careers because they have “too many mind.”

Like the aforementioned swiftly moving sword, the economic downturn carries prolific pain-provoking potential. In many cases, certainly, that potential has been realized. I would suggest there isn’t a person in eye-distance of this column who hasn’t been hurt in some manner over the past 12 months. I would also suggest that the sword’s swath hasn’t completed its course.

There’s one more thing I would suggest: It’s time we stop thinking and start acting. Or, perhaps—to borrow another Samurai analogy—it’s time to go on the attack.

What is it your store does better than any other store in the region? Do your customers know this? What product or service do you provide that the other guys don’t? Are there a lot them? If not, why not? Why in the world would I want to give up my Saturday to spend it with you? Better yet, why in the world would I want to give up my money to spend it with you?

On the surface, it might appear I’m challenging you to engage in “too many mind” with questions of this sort. Actually, I’m simply trying to help you find the swiftest and sharpest sword. It’s like Nobutada was suggesting to Algren in the movie: You know what you do best.

So, do it.