"No se puede evitar la guerra; solo se puede posponer en beneficio de otros."

Sometimes in life, there are challenges you can’t just sidestep. The idea here is that conflicts or difficult situations – like war, in this context – don’t disappear if you ignore them. They just fester and grow, often to the benefit of others who might be waiting to take advantage of the delay. It’s about facing problems head-on, because postponing them typically makes things worse, not better.

Niccolò Machiavelli, a Renaissance political philosopher, is known for this kind of tough, no-nonsense wisdom. He lived in a turbulent time when Italian city-states were constantly at odds with each other. Machiavelli wrote about power and strategy, and his advice was often brutally pragmatic. So, when he talked about war, he wasn’t just speculating – he was speaking from intense personal and political experience.

Imagine a modern company facing a major decision. Let’s say there’s a tech company that’s been getting signals that their biggest competitor is about to launch a groundbreaking new product. The company’s leadership could try to delay making decisions, hoping the storm will pass. But Machiavelli’s advice would be to tackle the issue immediately. If they wait, they might find themselves completely outpaced, losing market share and relevance. By facing the challenge head-on, they can strategize, innovate, and maybe even preempt their competitor’s move.

So how do you apply this wisdom personally? Start by recognizing the hard truths in your own life. Got a conflict with a colleague? Address it now, in a calm, rational manner, rather than letting resentment build up. Avoiding the issue might make the eventual confrontation much worse. Are you facing a health scare? See a doctor immediately rather than hoping it just goes away. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of a good outcome.

Now, let’s put you in a scenario to drive this home. Picture this: you’re a project manager at a bustling marketing firm. One of your team members consistently misses deadlines, which frustrates the rest of the group and jeopardizes the entire project. You could avoid the awkward conversation, hoping things will magically improve—maybe they’re just in a rough patch, right? But Machiavelli would probably give you a stern look and tell you to address the issue directly. Have that tough conversation. Lay out the expectations clearly and ask what’s going on. Maybe there’s a solvable issue that you’re not aware of. By confronting the problem now, you’re more likely to find a solution before the project—and your team’s morale—goes down the drain.

Remember, the takeaway isn’t just about facing conflict for conflict’s sake. It’s about understanding that the temporary discomfort of dealing with a problem now is almost always better than the prolonged pain and complications of dealing with it later. So, next time you’re tempted to put off a tough decision or ignore a brewing issue, think about Machiavelli and his hard-earned wisdom. It’s not about being aggressive or confrontational—it's about being wise enough to know that facing challenges directly is often the best strategy for a favorable outcome.