Never announce your moves before you make them.

The quote “Never announce your moves before you make them” suggests that it is often advantageous to keep your plans or intentions secret until you have executed them. It advises against revealing your strategies, goals, or actions in advance, particularly in situations where there may be competition, opposition, or potential negative consequences.

Here’s a breakdown of the meaning behind this quote:

Strategy: By keeping your moves or plans undisclosed, you maintain a tactical advantage over others. It allows you to surprise your competitors or opponents, making it more difficult for them to prepare or counter your actions effectively.
Avoiding Interference: When you announce your intentions beforehand, you open yourself up to potential interference or obstacles. Others might try to obstruct your plans or take advantage of the information you’ve shared, potentially hindering your progress or success.
Preserving Control: By keeping your moves private, you retain control over the situation. You can adjust your plans as needed, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain the element of surprise, all of which can contribute to achieving your objectives more effectively.
Preventing Unwanted Attention: Making premature announcements may attract unnecessary attention or scrutiny from others. It could invite unnecessary criticism, jealousy, or competition that may hinder your progress or create additional obstacles.
Minimizing Pressure: Sharing your plans prematurely can create external expectations and pressure. If you fail to follow through or achieve what you announced, it may lead to disappointment, loss of credibility, or even increased resistance from others.
Psychological Advantage: By keeping your moves undisclosed, you create a sense of mystery and intrigue. Others may be unsure of your intentions or actions, which can increase their uncertainty and decrease their ability to effectively respond or counter your strategies.

It’s important to note that the quote is not a strict rule to be followed in all situations. There may be times when announcing your moves in advance can be advantageous, such as when collaboration, transparency, or building trust is crucial. The appropriateness of sharing your plans depends on the specific context and the potential risks and benefits associated with doing so.

Related Quote :

Here are a few related quotes that touch upon the theme of strategy, secrecy, or keeping one’s plans hidden:

“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” – Sun Tzu This quote from the ancient Chinese military strategist suggests the importance of closely monitoring and understanding your adversaries. By maintaining a close watch on them, you can gain valuable insights and anticipate their actions.
“The best strategy is always to be very strong; first, so that enemy’s territory is not invaded; second, to invade the enemy’s territory.” – Sun Tzu Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of maintaining strength and secrecy in one’s strategy. By being strong and not revealing your intentions, you can protect yourself from invasion while also positioning yourself to take advantage of opportunities to invade your opponent’s territory.
“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” – Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones) Although this quote is from a fictional TV series, it conveys the ruthless nature of power struggles. It implies that in situations where competition is fierce and the stakes are high, it is crucial to keep your plans hidden and strike decisively to achieve victory.
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” – Sun Tzu This quote underscores the value of strategic thinking and planning. It suggests that true mastery lies in finding ways to achieve your goals without engaging in direct confrontation, possibly by exploiting weaknesses, influencing perceptions, or implementing subtle maneuvers.
“If I had nine hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first six sharpening my axe.” – Abraham Lincoln While not directly related to secrecy, this quote by Abraham Lincoln emphasizes the importance of careful preparation and planning before taking action. It implies that investing time in strategizing and honing your tools (knowledge, skills, resources) can greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your actions.

These quotes provide different perspectives on strategy, secrecy, and the importance of careful planning when navigating complex situations or competitive environments.