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"Staying Focussed"

From: Jason Stanley
3rd Dan Shitoryu
April 3rd, 2003

Sooner or later we reach a point in our karate training where we become stale. We reach a point where training isn't as much fun as what it used to be. When we reach this stage one of two things happen.

1. We power through it, find our focus and keep training!
   
   
2. We give up and promise to make a return "one day" - the most common option.

Although the intention to return to training "one day" is a good goal, it's usually a self comforting statement so we don't feel guilty or disappointed about giving up. The reality is that most people who "take a break" from their training never make a return no matter how good their intention was initially.

There is a saying...

"There are two things in life that are the most difficult. The first is getting started. The other is never quitting".

There are so many things you would do if you knew you wouldn't fail, but the fear of failing often outweighs the desire to get started! Conversely digging deep in times of hardship and finding something to keep you going is very difficult. (Thomas Edison blew over 3,000 globes before he found one that would stay alight! Did he see this as failure or simply as a challenge? Thank goodness he dug deep and kept on trying!)

You've already started karate so you've already made the first step. So now let's explore the reasons why people quit, and find some solutions so that you never have to!

Firstly why did you start karate?

For most people it's self defense related, followed closely by wanting to improve their fitness. Then come the other reasons like self discipline, focus and confidence.

However after training for some time we get to a stage where each of these needs has been fulfilled. We feel that our training has become monotonous and that we're not getting as much out of it as we used to. We have learned enough self defense to fulfill that desire. We've trained hard enough that our fitness has improved. And as a result of our training, our focus, self discipline and confidence has also risen to new levels. We feel that all of our needs have been fulfilled. In short we have become bored!

Uh oh! What is our driver now? If we don't find something else to inspire us to train, it is only a matter of time before complacency sets in and we'll become like 90% of people who start karate.... we'll give up! We didn't start karate to give up did we? No! So what should we do to keep going?

Time to find another inspiration!

If our initial driver has been fulfilled it's time we found a new one! When choosing a new direction in our training it's important that we choose ONE thing at a time. Choosing multiple things will lead to scattered thoughts, wasted energy and frustration. Choose one new goal and focus on it and it only! This is how you'll get your best results.

Take a look at world champions of any sport or people who have reached the pinnacle of success in their line of work. Are they focussed or are they scattered in with their direction? Do they focus all their energy into one thing, or are they only partially doing several things hoping that they all will come to fruition without their full attention? The successful people in this world--whether in sport, business or elsewhere--focus their attention in a single direction and make that one a success before adding other focus points.

So where do we look for inspiration?

There are several areas of our training where we can find it.

• Supplement Your Training
  
  
  • This is one of the best ways to stay motivated and get more out of your karate. Learning the different concepts and teachings of different instructors can often help you take your karate to new levels. It's important that you continue to train and build on what you already know, but equally as important to try new things.
    
    A good way to decide what to choose is to look at your karate and make a list of what you're not happy with and the areas you think need work. For example, if you don't do any ground defense at your club, it might be good to try something that focusses primarily on this, such as Brazilian Ju Jitsu. Likewise if you feel as though your close fighting and guard needs work, then perhaps supplement your training with some boxing.
    
    
    
• Attend a Seminar
  
  
  • Again this is an easy way to find inspiration. Seminars are usually run by people who are highly sought after. Why? Simply because they are extremely good at what they do. Take this opportunity to learn from someone in the "extreme".
    
    Usually these people are motivational and will get you thinking differently than you do now. They will inspire you!
    
    
    
• Enter a Competition
  
  
  • So you've been training for some time now, but still haven't entered a competition? Enter one! This will get you out of your comfort zone and give you a whole new experience.
    
    If you have been competing (approximately 43% of people compete) and you've only been doing kata, then in your next competition try some kumite, or vice versa.
    
    
    
• Start Teaching
  
  
  • It's often said that your learning truly begins once you begin to teach. The reason this is true is that in order to teach you must be able to explain exactly what you are doing to the finest detail.
    
    So if you've already earned your black belt and you want to get more out of your karate, ask your sensei if you can help with a class. Usually your sensei will be happy that you asked, and will accommodate you.
    
    Teaching is one of the best ways to learn the finer points of your technique.
    
    
    
• Read Books & Magazines
  
  
  • Again this is where people who have something to say, say it. You don't have to necessarily agree with everything they teach, but it's good to keep an open mind. If a book costs you $10, $20 or even $50 and you get something out of it, then it's been worth it.
    
    It's funny, but people will often say it's not worth spending money on books and literature, yet they're happy to blow their money on just about anything else! Learning new things, getting new opinions and staying educated is critical to your development. Not just in karate, but in business, family and other areas of life too.
    
    
    
• Learn New Fighting Combinations and Tactics
  
  
  • Stuck for fighting combinations? Is your most common attack a single reverse punch? Can you count all your fighting combinations on one hand?
    
    There are a few places you can look for new combinations. Most clubs have a syllabus with fighting techniques so firstly look in your syllabus!
    
    Secondly, take the combinations in your syllabus or that you know already and try them in reverse order. Can you make something new?
    
    Thirdly, write down all the single techniques you know how to do and choose two or three of your favorites. Think of how many different ways you can arrange them and see if they are practical. If they are, use them!
    
    Also look at other people. What combinations do they score with? Try incorporating these combinations into your own fighting repertoire.
    
    
    
• Learn a New Kata
  
  
  • Sick of doing the same katas day in day out? Are they becoming repetitive and boring? Do you wish you had new kata to work on? Then ask your sensei to teach you another.
    
    Your sensei will probably accommodate your request as students who are eager to learn are usually the types of students who make it to black belt and beyond. It is more rewarding for instructors to teach those who really want to learn, than those who don't.
    
    If you are learning kata for competition, be sure that you are familiar with the correct version according to the WKF rules or other rules by which you compete. Quite often just practicing the different versions is like learning a new kata! If you're serious about it , you will be inspired to train in order to master it.
    
    
    
• Ask Your Sensei!
  
  
  • Still stuck for ideas? Then I recommend you explain your thoughts to your sensei and ask for advice. Remember your sensei has been training for a long time and has come across just about all of these situations before. They can help you stay motivated because they know you. They know your strengths and your weaknesses and can always give you something else to improve upon.

Bruce Lee had a famous story about a Japanese Zen master and a professor who wanted to learn Zen. The professor tried to impress the Zen master with his knowledge and after waiting patiently for him to finish speaking, offered the professor some tea. He filled the professor's cup and when it became full, kept pouring. The professor watched the tea spill onto the table and exclaimed, "The cup is overfull, no more will go in!" The master replied "Like the cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"*

The moral of this story is: If you want more out of karate, be prepared to learn more by first emptying your cup. Keeping an open mind and being prepared to continually learn new and different ideas will help you develop your understanding. It will either strengthen your existing beliefs, or change them for the better.

In closing, making sure that you stay motivated is ultimately up to you. As it's often said "You gotta wanna!". Knowing if your heart is still in it is something that only you can answer. If you get stuck for ideas or ways to stay motivated, please consider the few points I've listed above. I'm sure if you dig deep enough you'll find your inspiration and keep your karate training fun and exciting!

Jason Stanley
www.karatetips.com

* References - Zen in the Martial Arts - Joe Hyams, 1979. ISBN 0-55.-27559-3