Fight As If You Were Already Dead

“どんな戦いにも勝つためには、すでに死んでいるつもりで戦わなければならない”
– 宮本武蔵

Okay.

The title of this newsletter is a bit extreme.

It comes from a quote from Miyamoto Musashi, “Donna tatakai ni mo katsu tame ni wa, sudeni shinde iru tsumori de tatakawanakereba naranai.”

Translated, it means, “To win any battle, you must fight like you are already dead.”

The quote reflects the samurai mindset of 無心 (mushin)—a state of no-mind, where fear of death does not hinder one’s actions.

Self-Improvement Is War

Fight as if you were already dead.

At first, this might sound extreme, but there’s deep wisdom in this mindset. It’s not about recklessness—it’s about eliminating fear, hesitation, and excuses. When we truly commit to something and remove the option of failure in our minds, we become unstoppable.

This may sound extreme, but every day we do fight battles:

The battle against procrastination.
The battle against self-doubt.
The battle against comfort and complacency.
The battle to not overeat.
The battle to get off the sofa to exercise.
The battle to focus on the moment.
The battle to remain disciplined.
The battle to fight against temptation.

The list can be overwhelming.

Improvement doesn’t come from half-hearted effort. It comes from embracing the struggle and attacking each day with the mindset that failure is not an option.

Growth requires discipline, consistency, and an unshakable commitment to progress.

What This Means for You

It is deeply relevant to the mindset of continuous self-improvement and getting a little better every day.

In The Day Warrior newsletter and posts on X, I often talk about the necessity to reframe fear, obstacles and challenges as opportunities to learn and build the experience critical to making us successful.

“Fight As If You Were Already Dead” is a similar reframe.

Letting Go of Fear and Hesitation – Fear no longer controls you if you approach life as if you have nothing to lose. Fear of failure, rejection, or discomfort often keeps people from improving. When you embrace failure as part of the process, you free yourself to take bold steps forward.
Total Commitment to Growth – Fighting as if you are already dead means giving your full effort without reservation. Improvement happens when you fully commit to the process, not when you dip your toes in cautiously. Whether it’s fitness, career, or personal growth, treating each day like a battle forces you to engage fully.
The Death of the Old Self – To improve, your current self must “die” to make way for a stronger version of you. Every day, you’re shedding limiting beliefs, old habits, and weaknesses. Seeing improvement as a battlefield reminds you that growth demands sacrifice—whether it’s comfort, bad habits, or old identities.When I moved to Japan, it was like my old American self died symbolically. I love everything about America. Do not get me wrong; I am patriotic and love my country. However, moving to Japan allowed me to fully embrace what I needed to do to become proficient in Japanese and establish the foundation for a successful career.
Living in the Present and Taking Action – A warrior who fights as if they are already dead is fully present in the moment. Likewise, to get a little better every day, you must act now, without waiting for the “perfect” time. Small, consistent actions win the long game.
Resilience in the Face of Struggles – Musashi’s philosophy helps when times get tough. When you struggle—whether in business, health, or relationships—reminding yourself that you are already “dead” in the battle removes the emotional burden of setbacks. You adapt, learn, and keep moving forward.

In short, self-improvement is war; to win, you must fight with full commitment, without fear, and with the discipline to let go of what no longer serves you.

Take Action Today – Create Your Daily Battle Plan

A warrior doesn’t go into battle unprepared, and neither should you. Your Daily Battle Plan is your strategy for winning the day.

It’s the structure or a tool that keeps you focused, disciplined, and moving forward.

Each person’s battle plan is unique to their situation.

A sample battle plan to help you get started could be:

Win the Morning – Your morning sets the tone for the entire day. Wake up with purpose. Before distractions take over, commit to something that sharpens your mind and body: Exercise, reading or learning, reviewing your goals, journaling. Morning victories lead to all day victories!
Take One Bold Action Each Day – Every day, define one key action that will move you forward. Not busy work, but something that truly matters—whether it’s making an important decision, tackling a challenging task, or stepping out of your comfort zone.Ask yourself: “If I could only accomplish one thing today, what would make the biggest impact?” Then, attack it with full intensity. Win the day!
Push Through Resistance – Struggles will come. Distractions will tempt you. Doubts will creep in. This is when you remind yourself: ‘I am already dead.’No excuses. No Retreat. You finish what you start.Track your wins and your losses. Use your journal to record what went well, and what did not. Learn from your mistakes. That is what it is all about.End the day strong. Win the day dammit! Reflect, adjust and prepare for tomorrow!

Final Thoughts

Getting a little better every day truly is a warrior’s mindset.

Too many people go through life cautiously, avoiding discomfort, waiting for the right moment, afraid of failing. But waiting is a slow death. Hesitation is the enemy.

Musashi’s philosophy reminds us that commitment is power. When you remove fear, stop second-guessing yourself, and charge forward, you become a force to be reckoned with.

So today, ask yourself: Are you fighting at full strength or holding something back?

Because warriors don’t wait, they fight. They improve. They win.

Win today. Fight for your future. No retreat, no regrets.

The Day Warrior

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