The Stupidity of Fancy Footwork
In combat and life, unnecessary fancy footwork and unnatural movements waste energy, disrupt rhythm, and cede advantage to opponents. Maintaining a natural, surefooted gait preserves spirit and allows adaptive speed.
THE IDEA
THE STUPIDITY OF FANCY FOOTWORK
Do not attempt to be clever with your feet. Many attitudes of footwork seem to me to be simple wastes of time because their only intention is to get your attention and throw you into confusion. Likewise, when you shuffle your feet or make quick little jumps to the side (or make any useless moves), you lose your advantage against a skilled fighter. Besides, you are not there to dance. You are there to kill the enemy. Again, the emphasis is on not relying on a specific “walking” or “moving” pattern. The definitions of the types of walks reflect their users and are to be considered as indicating the spirit in which they are used. For example, a jumping pattern indicates a jumpy spirit, don’t you think?
When I move in on the enemy, I move with resolve and surefootedness. I walk in as naturally as if I were walking in the street. I do not differentiate between walking in to attack or walking into the house.
My strategy does not permit change in composure, regardless of the ground being fought on. By being surefooted I can overcome most obstacles in my path. This way I do not lose my rhythm. When I make changes in rhythm it is based on the enemy’s rhythm, and by moving fast or slow I close in on him and kill him.
Why would you want to change your basic attitudes towards life simply because a new set of events is occurring? If you take the time to change your methodology in midstream your spirit has to catch up, regardless of how quickly you move. Eventually you are going to have to come back to your natural state. So why leave it in the first place?
You must maintain a natural rhythm and a natural timing. Anything that you add to or delete from this naturalness will cost you the advantage when you are proceeding to destroy the enemy. Moving in a natural gait will afford you the opportunity to move either fast or slow and will thus enable you to follow the enemy with a much steadier attitude. Your spirit will remain intact and you will be able to defeat the enemy.
When to use it
Facing a skilled opponent in martial arts: avoid flashy moves and rely on natural, grounded footwork to control the fight.
Competing in a fast-paced business environment: keep your strategy simple and consistent rather than constantly pivoting to chase trends.
Managing personal productivity: resist the urge to adopt complicated systems; use a natural workflow that adapts to daily rhythms.
Negotiating a deal: stay composed and direct, letting the other side's pace dictate your responses without losing your own timing.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Business Negotiation
In a high-stakes negotiation, avoid overwhelming the other side with complex proposals and shifting tactics. Instead, maintain a steady, natural approach—clearly state your position and respond to their moves with simple, direct counteroffers. This consistent demeanor builds trust and prevents you from losing your strategic rhythm.
Software Development
When building a new feature, resist the urge to over-engineer with intricate architectures and unnecessary abstractions. Use the simplest solution that works (like walking naturally) and adapt as needed. This avoids wasting time on fancy 'footwork' that ultimately complicates maintenance and slows down delivery.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what areas of your life (work, relationships, hobbies) do you tend to add complexity or 'fancy footwork' unnecessarily? How could you simplify?
How do you maintain a natural rhythm under pressure—whether in combat, a presentation, or a crisis?
Think of a time when changing your approach midstream backfired. How might sticking to a natural, surefooted method have changed the outcome?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Musashis book of five rings the definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashis classic book of strategy (Kaufman, SteveMiyamoto, Musashi)