Greetings Team,
I wanted to touch on a topic today that I feel can have a great impact on your Martial Arts training, and your life off the mats. The idea is having a LONG Term outlook on your training, your fitness, your relationships, etc. If you look at the things you are trying to accomplish as "get rich quick", you'll find SHORT Term happiness, but LONG Term dissatisfaction.
Let's take a look at your Training. If your goal is to get a good as you can in 6 months at Martial Arts and then move on to other activites, the way you practice may actually hurt your goal. Sure, you may win a few "matches" by being overally competitive. But, at the end of the day, you will be only feeling short term happiness. The "wins" you are experiencing are not allowing you to truely understand the skills. Most likely you used strength, size, or speed to allow you to win. That's not Martial Arts. That's athleticsism. If, however; you have a Long term look at learning the Martial Arts, you can TAKE YOUR TIME EACH AND EVERY PRACTICE. You can pick ONE move to work on for two, three...SIX months at a time. After all, if you believe you are going to be Training A LONG TIME, how long is six months in the course of in a ten, fifteeen, TWENTY year endeavor?The point is, if you just want to be good, and never define how long it should take you, you can relax. You can be patient. And, you can ENJOY your training. More than likely, you will also be one of the BEST Martial Artists on the Mat in the process.
Isn't this true in our Personal Lives, as well? Do you always want to try the "new" diet? The "new" workout class or regimen? Ask anyone who is fit and stays fit. It takes hard work and discipline EVERYDAY. There is no quick fix. Sure, you can do an Atkins diet, or get a Gastrointestinal bipass...but that is a quick fix. Would you agree that either you or someone you know who tries "the easy road" may succeed at first, just to gain back the weight, if not more? But, if you commit that you will be healthy for life, you succumb to the fact that you will just have to work at being fit EVERYDAY. Each day working hard toward your goal. Not only will you get there, but you will be able to sustain it.
I feel this idea to be true with so many areas of our lives. Focus each day on being happy and succesful THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Not just tomorrow. Not just this Weekend. There are so many things we can do to "be happy". Alcohol make us happy....for a night. But, does that short term happiness come with long term pain? I'm sure you would agree. Why not do things for yourself that make you happy, but rarely have bad side affects? Wouldn't this help you to be happier LONG TERM?
My encouragement for you this week is to simply take a look at your perspective of things. Maybe you can do a little adjusting to look further down the road at your happiness and success. You just may see some Quick returns on your efforts!
I truely hope you gained some benefit from this Today!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Mousetrap
Greetings Team,
For the past few weeks we have been talking about some of the ideas and philosophies that Professor shared with us during his training visit. Today, I wanted to finish up with what I feel was the most profound idea I got from that weekend. As in so many things in Jiu Jitsu, it is such a simple concept. Yet, sometimes the most simplest of ideas elude us. We must rely on great Teachers and Coaches to help us see them. With that in mind, Team, I would like to share with you the idea of the "Mousetrap."
What does a mousetrap do? It's sits in the corner. It dangles a tasty piece of cheese. What does the mouse do? It studies the mousetrap. And more importantly...the cheese. It looks so delicious. The mouse can't help himself. And just as the mouse goes for a bite....wack!
I have been training in the Martial Arts for 24 years, Team. Over that time, never have I come across a metaphor as simple and enlightening. The BEST way to catch a guy with a techinique is to trick him. The one he doesn't see coming is the one that he will get caught with. If you invite your opponent to try a move they FEEL is going to work, they will go after full out! If you invite them, and it's a trap...they are sure to get caught.
Never FORCE your moves on the other person. It's easy to see and easy to defend. Luring them in is always a better option. So how do you learn how to do that? LOTS OF MISTAKES! :) You just have to keep letting guys "try moves" on you, and you have to learn how to "CATCH" them. That means you're going to have to tap a lot. Get punched a lot. Get swept. Kicked. Thrown. You just have to remind yourself that the MATS ARE THE LABORATORY. Each day, each friend you train with, is an experiment. An experiment to ensure that you have AMAZING technique. After all, you want to make sure your moves REALLY work don't you?
No one said that Training in the Martial Arts was easy. But, EVERYONE says it's REWARDING. Keep plugging away, Team. Everyday, every week. And don't forget to bring plenty of delcious cheese! :)
I hope this helps your Training, Team!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
For the past few weeks we have been talking about some of the ideas and philosophies that Professor shared with us during his training visit. Today, I wanted to finish up with what I feel was the most profound idea I got from that weekend. As in so many things in Jiu Jitsu, it is such a simple concept. Yet, sometimes the most simplest of ideas elude us. We must rely on great Teachers and Coaches to help us see them. With that in mind, Team, I would like to share with you the idea of the "Mousetrap."
What does a mousetrap do? It's sits in the corner. It dangles a tasty piece of cheese. What does the mouse do? It studies the mousetrap. And more importantly...the cheese. It looks so delicious. The mouse can't help himself. And just as the mouse goes for a bite....wack!
I have been training in the Martial Arts for 24 years, Team. Over that time, never have I come across a metaphor as simple and enlightening. The BEST way to catch a guy with a techinique is to trick him. The one he doesn't see coming is the one that he will get caught with. If you invite your opponent to try a move they FEEL is going to work, they will go after full out! If you invite them, and it's a trap...they are sure to get caught.
Never FORCE your moves on the other person. It's easy to see and easy to defend. Luring them in is always a better option. So how do you learn how to do that? LOTS OF MISTAKES! :) You just have to keep letting guys "try moves" on you, and you have to learn how to "CATCH" them. That means you're going to have to tap a lot. Get punched a lot. Get swept. Kicked. Thrown. You just have to remind yourself that the MATS ARE THE LABORATORY. Each day, each friend you train with, is an experiment. An experiment to ensure that you have AMAZING technique. After all, you want to make sure your moves REALLY work don't you?
No one said that Training in the Martial Arts was easy. But, EVERYONE says it's REWARDING. Keep plugging away, Team. Everyday, every week. And don't forget to bring plenty of delcious cheese! :)
I hope this helps your Training, Team!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Fox and the Rabbit
Greetings Team,
I wanted to share with you another Metaphor that Professor shared with us during his visit a few weekends ago. This concept, Team, is such an amazing illustration of how to look at Jiu Jitsu, self defense, and fighting. The best part, Team, is that with all Metaphors in Jiu Jitsu, it can be applied as a great philosophical lesson for life.
Let's talk today about the Fox and the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the prey of the Fox. He is fighting for his life. He will do absolutely EVERYTHING he can do to escape. It's life or death. On the other hand, the Fox is the hunter. He can take his time hunting the Rabbit. If he makes a mistake and the Rabbit gets away, he need not fret. There will always be another Rabbit.
The idea here Team, is that when you are going for your technique in a fight or a ring, your opponent will do ANYTHING to survive. He is the prey. If you understand that, then you must understand that all of your techniques must be "perfect". If you make one mistake... if you leave one opening...he will get away. In a street fight, that could be very costly. Remember Team, you are the Fox. Make sure you excecute your skills to perfection. And, if he defends it, there is ALWAYS another move. Don't be impatient and force the issue. If you do, your opponent is sure to capitalize on your mistakes.
So how do we make our moves "perfect"? Focused practice day to day. Week to week. Month to month. You may have heard me say often, "Many want to be good...but, not many know how to get good." You have to take your time each day on the mats to get ALL of the mechanics of your move memorized. Each day you remember a litte bit more than the day before. No matter what the skill. Each day you chip away at the technique. Think of artists who create ice sculptures. They chip away at this huge block of ice until they see the beautiful statue they envisioned in their mind. Our process is no different. We are shown the proper technique by our instructor. Each day we chip away at it until our move resembles the one he demonstrated.
The underlying themes here Team, are PATIENCE and ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Skills that, for sure, make our lives easier and happier. The beauty of training in the martial arts is that, the mental skills we gain on the mats, we can apply to EVERY aspect of our lives.
So my encouragement for you this week, Team, is to be the Fox. Take your time. Get excellent at all the basic mechanics in the skills you are refining. Remind yourself to be patient, and to pay attention to detail. And remember....there will ALWAYS be another Rabbit. :)
I truely hope you gained some benefit from this today, Team!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
I wanted to share with you another Metaphor that Professor shared with us during his visit a few weekends ago. This concept, Team, is such an amazing illustration of how to look at Jiu Jitsu, self defense, and fighting. The best part, Team, is that with all Metaphors in Jiu Jitsu, it can be applied as a great philosophical lesson for life.
Let's talk today about the Fox and the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the prey of the Fox. He is fighting for his life. He will do absolutely EVERYTHING he can do to escape. It's life or death. On the other hand, the Fox is the hunter. He can take his time hunting the Rabbit. If he makes a mistake and the Rabbit gets away, he need not fret. There will always be another Rabbit.
The idea here Team, is that when you are going for your technique in a fight or a ring, your opponent will do ANYTHING to survive. He is the prey. If you understand that, then you must understand that all of your techniques must be "perfect". If you make one mistake... if you leave one opening...he will get away. In a street fight, that could be very costly. Remember Team, you are the Fox. Make sure you excecute your skills to perfection. And, if he defends it, there is ALWAYS another move. Don't be impatient and force the issue. If you do, your opponent is sure to capitalize on your mistakes.
So how do we make our moves "perfect"? Focused practice day to day. Week to week. Month to month. You may have heard me say often, "Many want to be good...but, not many know how to get good." You have to take your time each day on the mats to get ALL of the mechanics of your move memorized. Each day you remember a litte bit more than the day before. No matter what the skill. Each day you chip away at the technique. Think of artists who create ice sculptures. They chip away at this huge block of ice until they see the beautiful statue they envisioned in their mind. Our process is no different. We are shown the proper technique by our instructor. Each day we chip away at it until our move resembles the one he demonstrated.
The underlying themes here Team, are PATIENCE and ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Skills that, for sure, make our lives easier and happier. The beauty of training in the martial arts is that, the mental skills we gain on the mats, we can apply to EVERY aspect of our lives.
So my encouragement for you this week, Team, is to be the Fox. Take your time. Get excellent at all the basic mechanics in the skills you are refining. Remind yourself to be patient, and to pay attention to detail. And remember....there will ALWAYS be another Rabbit. :)
I truely hope you gained some benefit from this today, Team!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Get Better...One Spoonful at a Time
Greetings Team,
We had the privalegde of Training at Professor Sauer's Spring Visit this past weekend. I think it's safe to say we came away with some amazing Jiu Jitsu. But, what I want to share with you over the next few weeks, is some of the philosophy that make up Jiu Jitsu. Professor passes down some great metaphors for Jiu Jitsu...and for life. I will do my best to share what I have learned with you.
This week, Team, I want to share with you the idea of working at our goals bit by bit until they are accomplished. Let me share the metaphor Professor used to illustrate. Imagine you have just made yourself a big bowl of soup for lunch. It's hot off the stove. If you put your spoon in the middle of the soup and take a huge bite, you are sure to get burned. But, if you instead take small sips from the side, slowly but surely you will be able to eat the entire bowl. The point is Team, don't try to jump right to the middle or end of your goal. You need to take small steps each day to get there.
In your training, this is such a key concept. Especially in an art like Jiu Jitsu. 6 years into this amazing art, and I just now feel like I am starting to understand it. We just have to take small steps each day on the mat. Try to make little improvements from one day to the next. If we just focus on that, imagine how much progress we can make in a year. How about two years? 5? You see?
Our personal lives and careers are not very different, are they? Whether it's weight loss, college, relationships...we just need to get better a little bit everyday. Each day we build upon the lessons we learned the day before. If we try to jump to the end, we are sure to get burned.
My encouragement for you this week Team, is to simply remind yourself to be patient. Be patient with yourself. With your life. With your training. And soon enough, you will finish the entire bowl. :)
I truely hope you got some benefit from this today, Team!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
We had the privalegde of Training at Professor Sauer's Spring Visit this past weekend. I think it's safe to say we came away with some amazing Jiu Jitsu. But, what I want to share with you over the next few weeks, is some of the philosophy that make up Jiu Jitsu. Professor passes down some great metaphors for Jiu Jitsu...and for life. I will do my best to share what I have learned with you.
This week, Team, I want to share with you the idea of working at our goals bit by bit until they are accomplished. Let me share the metaphor Professor used to illustrate. Imagine you have just made yourself a big bowl of soup for lunch. It's hot off the stove. If you put your spoon in the middle of the soup and take a huge bite, you are sure to get burned. But, if you instead take small sips from the side, slowly but surely you will be able to eat the entire bowl. The point is Team, don't try to jump right to the middle or end of your goal. You need to take small steps each day to get there.
In your training, this is such a key concept. Especially in an art like Jiu Jitsu. 6 years into this amazing art, and I just now feel like I am starting to understand it. We just have to take small steps each day on the mat. Try to make little improvements from one day to the next. If we just focus on that, imagine how much progress we can make in a year. How about two years? 5? You see?
Our personal lives and careers are not very different, are they? Whether it's weight loss, college, relationships...we just need to get better a little bit everyday. Each day we build upon the lessons we learned the day before. If we try to jump to the end, we are sure to get burned.
My encouragement for you this week Team, is to simply remind yourself to be patient. Be patient with yourself. With your life. With your training. And soon enough, you will finish the entire bowl. :)
I truely hope you got some benefit from this today, Team!
ALL THE BEST!
COACH
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)