Feeling stuck? This rallying cry for men in midlife is a no-nonsense call to smash through stagnation by applying two military-inspired strategies: The Blitzkrieg Strategy (Overwhelm Resistance with Speed and Suddenness) and Forcing Strategies (Control the Dynamic).

The Blitzkrieg Strategy is about strategic speed, not frantic action. It’s meticulous preparation followed by a sudden, unpredictable strike to break through psychological inertia and fear. Middle age is like a rigid defence system; to break free, act swiftly and decisively where others hesitate.

Control the Dynamic means shaping how others respond. Influence moods, shift the “battlefield” to unfamiliar ground, and lead indirectly through passive control. Compel mistakes by disrupting comfort zones and exploiting emotional vulnerabilities. The goal isn’t domination, but mastery — of others, and especially of yourself.

This piece delves into the powerful and often subconscious force of inertia as a primary impediment to personal change and growth, particularly for men facing midlife stagnation. Drawing on an anecdote about an investment gone sour due to a CEO's inertia-driven behaviour, it explains inertia through both its literal meaning (laziness, idleness) and its application in physics (resistance to change in motion or state). Cognitive inertia is highlighted as the reason we resist even beneficial change, clinging to the "status quo" and "comfort zone" due to the lack of effort required, the fear of negative outcomes, and the "zone of average." The text illustrates inertia in daily habits, historical resistance to innovation, and the tendency to "double down" when wrong, particularly in public statements and group dynamics. Ultimately, it emphasises recognising the pervasive nature of the inertia default as the critical first step in combating it.

This piece argues that men facing middle age stagnation should abandon conventional approaches to self-improvement and instead adopt a "guerrilla warfare" strategy, drawing parallels with the tactics of Mao Tse-Tung and Che Guevara. It defines key terms related to conflict, clarifies the differences between conventional and guerrilla warfare (highlighting the strengths of agility, terrain knowledge, and resourcefulness in the latter), and suggests applying these principles to the internal battle against inertia and apathy. The core message is to embrace unconventional, targeted actions, driven by an internal "foco" or purpose, to achieve a "revolution" in personal vitality and agency through a "protracted war" against stagnation.

This blog offers a strategic framework for men in their 40s to navigate middle age and overcome stagnation, drawing parallels with military grand strategy. The core argument is that life at this stage often involves feeling stuck and reactive to minor issues – "battles" – but true progress comes from identifying and pursuing a larger objective – the "war." This requires a "grand strategy" focused on long-term goals and a clear vision of one's "life's task," rather than getting bogged down in immediate emotional responses. The text emphasises the importance of "knowing your enemy," which includes both external pressures and, crucially, internal self-doubt and inertia. This "intelligence strategy" involves self-reflection to understand personal weaknesses, fears, and hidden motivations, much like analysing an opponent's vulnerabilities. It also suggests observing oneself in challenging situations ("moments of crisis") to reveal true behaviour and identify "masked opposites" in one's personality. The summary concludes by stressing that self-knowledge and strategy must be dynamic, adapting to the changing landscape of life.

This piece argues that men in middle age, feeling stagnant, are often held back by the "Social Default" – a deep-seated instinct to conform and follow the crowd due to the fear of looking like an outsider, being ridiculed, or disappointing others. This desire to fit in, rooted in evolutionary history, leads individuals to outsource their thinking and behaviour, resulting in average outcomes and a lack of individual initiative. The author suggests that true progress and escape from stagnation require independent thought and a willingness to deviate from the norm, even at the risk of failure or appearing foolish, as conforming to the crowd guarantees only average results.

Drawing lessons from military theorists J.F.C. Fuller and B.H. Liddell Hart, this piece argues that men facing middle-age stagnation can find inspiration in their ideas on manoeuvre, disruption, and adaptation. By applying principles of identifying and striking at key weaknesses (Fuller) or employing indirect, out-of-the-ordinary approaches (Liddell Hart), individuals can overcome inertia and revitalise their lives, much like a military force breaking through a static defensive line. The key is to avoid rigidity and embrace strategic, perhaps unconventional, movement.

A blog argues that men over 40 often sabotage themselves with their ego, drawing lessons from historical and modern strategists like Sun Tzu, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Clausewitz, Bismarck, and Steve Jobs. It advises adopting a strategic mindset focused on clarity, patience, and creating value rather than being driven by ego. The chapter encourages self-awareness, measured reactions, and distinguishing true worth from status, framing midlife as a new campaign that requires strategic thinking.

This is a series of blog drafts that use the analogy of World War I trench warfare to explore the challenges and mindset of men in middle age. It draws parallels between the static, attritional warfare of the trenches and the feeling of being stuck or worn down in midlife. The content covers the historical context of trench warfare—machine guns, fortified trench systems, artillery, and the overall defensive nature of the conflict—and relates these elements to modern-day struggles with career stagnation, health concerns, and loss of purpose. The aim is to provide tactical advice and a shift in mindset, encouraging resilience, adaptation, and a focus on practical strategies for navigating the "No Man's Land" of middle age. The writing style is informal, direct, and uses military analogies extensively to connect with readers.

Drafts that use the analogy of World War I trench warfare to explore the challenges and mindset of men in middle age. It draws parallels between the static, attritional warfare of the trenches and the feeling of being stuck or worn down in midlife. The content covers the historical context of trench warfare—machine guns, fortified trench systems, artillery, and the overall defensive nature of the conflict—and relates these elements to modern-day struggles with career stagnation, health concerns, and loss of purpose. The aim is to provide tactical advice and a shift in mindset, encouraging resilience, adaptation, and a focus on practical strategies for navigating the "No Man's Land" of middle age. The writing style is informal, direct, and uses military analogies extensively to connect with readers.

Deterrence Through Presence: Middle-aged men can fend off irrelevance by cultivating a threatening, unpredictable presence that discourages attacks before they start. Reputation, uncertainty, and a willingness to go further build this deterrence.

Strategic Retreat: Sometimes the best move is no move at all. Trading space for time—disengaging and retreating—allows you to think strategically, exploit vulnerabilities, and infuriate aggressors.

Self-Knowledge is Power: Use periods of retreat to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Embrace your experience and use it to anticipate enemy moves.

This piece argues that men in middle age often make poor decisions due to the "emotion default," reacting impulsively instead of strategically. Using examples from The Godfather, the Olympics, and a personal anecdote, it highlights the dangers of unchecked emotions. The piece emphasizes the importance of recognizing and controlling emotions, especially when compounded by biological factors like sleep deprivation and stress, in order to avoid disastrous consequences.

This newsletter/blog post uses the historical example of the Military Revolution, triggered by the invention and development of gunpowder, as a metaphor for the challenges faced by men over 40 experiencing mid-life stagnation. It argues that just as gunpowder rendered traditional military strategies and social structures obsolete, modern technological and economic shifts can make established skills and career paths outdated. The post encourages men to acknowledge these changes, acquire new skills, embrace innovation, and take risks to avoid being "left behind" and to become a "force to be reckoned with" in this new landscape. It advocates for continuous learning, diversification, and experimentation in both career and personal life.

This newsletter, "The Ageing Warrior," offers strategic advice for men over 40 to navigate mid-life challenges. It emphasises prioritising battles by identifying strengths and delegating weaknesses to conserve limited resources. The newsletter further advocates for the counterattack strategy, drawing inspiration from Napoleon and Jujitsu. It promotes patience, strategic thinking, and leveraging opponents' weaknesses to turn difficult situations around in work, relationships, and personal life. The overall message is to approach mid-life not as a crisis but as a campaign requiring strategy, ruthlessness, and triumph.

This newsletter addresses middle-aged men experiencing stagnation and a lack of fulfillment. It advocates for taking control of one's life through clear thinking, inspired by Shane Parrish's "Clear Thinking." The core message emphasizes recognizing and overcoming ingrained, detrimental reactions (defaults) like emotion, ego, social pressures, and inertia. The key technique is "the pause" – a conscious moment to breathe, consider, and choose a response rather than reacting impulsively. The newsletter encourages self-awareness, strategic action, and rejecting mediocrity.

his newsletter uses the teachings of Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings" to provide a strategy for men over 40 to overcome mid-life stagnation. It provides actionable advice based on the five elements of the book to help them regain control, discipline, and direction in their lives.