Thirteen military-inspired life skills worth applying in everyday life, based on teachings from Dr. Lê Thẩm Dương:
- Maintain a warrior mindset. Train yourself to face adversity without flinching.
- Plan in advance. Prepare before action — never improvise when preparation is possible.
- Assess trustworthiness by response timing. How quickly someone responds reveals their character.
- Exercise early. Physical discipline shapes mental discipline.
- Listen to your intuition. Your gut has processed information your conscious mind hasn’t.
- Be wary of those who are overly accommodating. Excessive flattery often signals hidden motives.
- Maintain proper grooming. Appearance is a form of self-respect and discipline.
- Build good habits. Habits are the scaffolding of character.
- Arrive on time — not early, not late. Punctuality is a form of respect.
- Stay focused on the objective. Distractions are the enemy of execution.
- Anticipate worst-case scenarios. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
- Avoid negative thinking. Pessimism is contagious — protect your mental environment.
- Change begins with yourself. The greatest enemy is not others but oneself. Only by conquering yourself can you overcome any difficulty.
Personal transformation is the foundation of all outward change. If you want to change your circumstances, start by changing yourself.
— Based on teachings by Dr. Lê Thẩm Dương