Why We Always Overestimate Enemies Until We Count Them

Early in his career, Ulysses S. Grant found himself alone, short on supplies, and convinced a nearby wolf pack would devour him. He and a fellow officer tip-toed through tall prairie grass, hearts pounding. In the dim light, every rustle sounded like a dozen snarling animals. Grant admitted later he froze at the imagined pack of twenty wolves.

When they finally stumbled upon the source—just two wolves lounging in the clearing—Grant learned a lasting lesson: we routinely multiply dangers in our mind. Decades later, as commander of Union forces, he repeated that story to rally troops against overwhelming odds, reminding them there are always “more of them before they are counted.”

That moment taught Grant—and can teach us—all to ground our fears in reality. When you line up real numbers against imagined ones, your next move becomes clear. The enemy vanishes under the light of accurate headcounts.

Pull out your notebook or phone and list what feels like a mountain of obstacles, then fact-check each one with data or a quick conversation. Note how your imagined enemy shrinks when you face actual numbers. Let that clarity propel you into action tomorrow.