What we are dealing with here are universal principals. The martial application is often an effective way to look at it because it is one of the few where the CANVASS PUNCHES BACK, but fundamentally, these principals apply to all things.

I do however, disagree with one part of your post – the note on preparedness. While it IS true that preparedness is paramount, it is not so much about anticipating every move and reading every resource. This is a road to distraction and frustration — did I read everything? Do I know exactly what they’re going to say. What If I miss something? Should I make a list? A person can fold in on themselves and get frustrated. To put it back in a martial context, this is akin to always expecting to be in a fight. Should I use this chair? What are my escapes? What would I do if the guy stands there. or there? or there? what if there are three guys? It’s an endless battle.

Remember, we are talking about universal principals of motion here, not tactics. When we talk about preparedness, it is — as you say earlier — about MENTAL preparedness. And it is both simple and difficult. Instead of anticipating every move, which is impossible, you need only ensure you are in a proper mental state to A: recognize things as they are happening, and B: react to them in a calm manner. So in a martial context, instead of worrying about what you’ll do when the guy stands this way or that, you’ll be RECEPTIVE and able to accept energy no matter where it comes from. Through training, you’ll know what to do with energy once you get it… but if you never see it in the first place… BAM – your KO’d. In business and at the bar.