The Emperor [Napoleon Bonaparte], while he was quite prepared “to break eggs to make omelettes” as von Clausewitz puts it, was always eager to gain total victory for a minimum expenditure of manpower and effort.– THE CAMPAIGNS OF NAPOLEON, DAVID G. CHANDLER, 1966
It is essential to differentiate between thoughts and external reality because the amygdala can’t distinguish. The cortex is distracted by cable TV channels, which is very effective and is a helpful way to focus on other ideas – but not to get stuck on the problematic anxiety favourite channel – Do not argue with thoughts.
Cognitive Diffusion
- Cognitive resturcture technique
- Being aware of the thoughts without getting caught up in them
- Simply recognizing thoughts as experiences
- “You are an observer of your own cortex, not a believer of everything it produces”
Consequently, the Emperor disliked having to force a full-scale, fully arrayed frontal battle – that is to say, marching directly against the enemy to fight him on the ground of his ( the adversary’s) choosing, for such battles were inevitably expensive and rarely conclusive (Bordodino in 1812 is a case in point).– THE CAMPAIGNS OF NAPOLEON, DAVID G. CHANDLER, 1966
Instead, whenever possible, after pinning the foe frontally with a feint attack, Napoleon marched his main army by the quickest possible “safe” route, hidden by the cavalry screen and natural obstacles, to place himself on the rear or flank of his opponent. Once this move had been successfully achieved, he occupied a natural barrier or “strategical curtain” (usually a river line or mountain range), ordered the blocking of all crossing, and thus isolated his intended victim from his rear depots and reduced his chances of reinforcement. .– THE CAMPAIGNS OF NAPOLEON, DAVID G. CHANDLER, 1966
Mindfulness
- Observing “negative” thoughts – Puts a peaceful detached observer
- Awareness can defeat anxiety
- Accept anxiety as a normal process
- Understanding that the present moment is all there is
- Change focus on heart/breathing/thoughts
- Practices: Deep breathing/ Walking / Listening to music / Eating / Allowing to feel the bodily experience (Anxiety/Adrenaline/…)
The final antidote to anxiety is the acceptance of the experience. Power comes from the constant struggle to fight or stop anxiety.
Thereafter, Napoleon advanced relentlessly toward the foe’s army, offering him only two alternatives – to fight for survival on ground not of his own choosing, or to surrender. The advantages afforded by such a strategy are obvious. The enemy army would be both taken by surprise and almost certainly demoralized by the sudden apparition of the enemy army in its rear, cutting its communications. .– THE CAMPAIGNS OF NAPOLEON, DAVID G. CHANDLER, 1966