motivation problem; lost of interest

[ninjanurse]

There is a lot to be said about "self-sabotage". I am sure many of us have dealt with this issue and it may still rare it's ugly head from time to time. I know I have been victim of it in the past both in my personal life and my martial arts life and it is not easy sometimes to convince ourselves what we are doing. Seeking counsel, exploring your motivations, coming face to face with your fears, and putting yourself on the outside looking in, are all helpful when we "hit the wall". But, this is afterall, all part of the character building part of the journey that we set ourselves on and no one ever said it was easy . Our personal journey will take many turns, have a few dead-ends, change pace, and may even double back on itself....it may take us longer than the "other guy"... but no one else's journey can compare to ours and no else's will mean as much as ours.

[karatekid1975]

Thanks Heidi. I read your post yesterday, and I was thinking about it all day. I even asked advice from a non-martial artist yesterday, and he said the same thing as you guys did ... weird huh LOL? He doesn't know about the belts and the testing stuff, but I told him about my motivation, or lack there of. He said that everyone needs a break, and rethink their motives on working out/training/even careers.

I thought about it long and hard last night (couldn't sleep LOL). But my true motive for MA is "character." I need a good swiff kick in the butt mentally and physically.

If any of you knew me back in the day, I'd have to be "pushed" to do anything. I was either lazy, scared, timmid, or all the above. MA is the only thing I stuck with. Because I needed that "drive," that confidence booster.

But I felt like my test was that "drive" but it backfired (and the tourny right after). But I have a chance to make that up with my retest in November (Hopefully I can still test. I haven't trained regularly in weeks).

The above might be part of my lack of motivation. What do you guys think?

[MasterH]

You sound like you need to recharge. Go to a tourney or a clinic and make some friends. I just returned from our (HTF) Reno tourney and I'm ready to go! Had a great time and I'm looking forward to the next one, but I need to train for it. And that's my motivation.

[shotochem]

I thought about it long and hard last night (couldn't sleep LOL). But my true motive for MA is "character." I need a good swiff kick in the butt mentally and physically.

If any of you knew me back in the day, I'd have to be "pushed" to do anything. I was either lazy, scared, timmid, or all the above. MA is the only thing I stuck with. Because I needed that "drive," that confidence booster.

But I felt like my test was that "drive" but it backfired (and the tourny right after). But I have a chance to make that up with my retest in November (Hopefully I can still test. I haven't trained regularly in weeks).

The above might be part of my lack of motivation. What do you guys think?

Hi Laurie,

I've been down that same road after my testing debacle. I felt the same way. My remedy was to not concern myself about testing or perfection.

I just decided to relax and have some fun again the way I did when I first started. I also cut down on the amount of training I do. My body thanks me.

The result is I have never been more relaxed in my techniques I feel fluid confident and my techniques are more effective. If I decide to test again it will be the last minute and on a whim. No pressure no concerns.

If it is no longer fun and becomes like having a second job, I will no longer do it.

[White Warlock]

I had many talks with Heidi (ninjanurse) on different subjects having to do with my training. She knows most of it (and can probably explain it better than me LOL).

I posted on another forum about something similar. One person said that the reason may be because I am so close to BB, and I'm subconsciously "scared" or mentally not ready. Consciously, I am trying to do my best (I'm even getting my Jujitsu instructor involved with helping with the self defense portion of the test .... actually it was his choice to help).

Don't get me wrong, my lack of modivation doesn't mean I don't like MA anymore. Because I do.

White Warlock, good post. You gave me a lot to think about. It may be "the environment" that is interfering with my training or the other way around. I haven't thought of it like that.

Sauzin, to answer one of your questions, I started for self defense. But I continued for the "character building" that I recieved. Which both are still present in my training.

Steve_K, no I tested for senior red (high red, 1st gup/kyu). You also brought up some good points.

Thanks to all of you for your advice and stories. Anyone else have advice?

As Ninjanurse and others have indicated, soul-searching is where you're at now, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Indeed, i wish more people did it on a regular basis... for resistance to do so means to close one's self out from change... to become rigid, stubborn, close-minded.

A reasonably healthy path is not to listen to other people, but to listen to oneself. Gathering all the information others present, and coming to our own conclusions, our own answers. That is how it should be, but it is not always how it is. A few choice words, photos, videos, can undermine our character and change who we are against our conscious will. Every day we are influenced by both positive and negative factors, media not the least of which playing a role in our development. Nowadays, because of the constant flood of information and visual stimuli, it is much easier to solidify and much harder to develop. It is easier, because of this barrage of data, to find ourselves unwilling to listen anymore, and thus to close ourselves out of this life long path all of us initially travel. Essentially, because of so much being presented, it is now so much easier to say, "stop, i'm done. I'm parking my tent and not moving one more inch."

I.e., it is a challenge to grow, to develop. Moreso now than ever.

I do agree with some of the earlier comments presented. Your having tried and failed is a direct assault on your developmental path. It is presented as an obstacle not overcome. But presentations don't have to be the way you opt to perceive it as. Indeed, i recommend you look at what you're doing now, realize you're attempting to overcome this obstacle by finding a different path, or by gaining a foothold and assailing it. I recommend the latter, for otherwise that incident will always linger as an obstacle, rather than a challenge.

[niel0092]

I too am close to testing for BB and am feeling a bit of what you discribe. Part of me is excited and knows i should be training more as my test date approaches (Nov 19th). The other part is feeling lackluster, slothful, and wishes it was over so I could focus on the parts of my training I enjoy without having the test looming over my head.

These feelings seem to be universal. We all get a case of burnout from time to time. Now all we need to do is figure out how to get past those feelings and move on.

(not sure that helped at all)

[Sauzin]

I have one suggestion. And it's just a suggestion. Learn to enjoy your art. Forget testing, blackbelts, recognition, and superficial accomplishments that really mean nothing. Enjoy your art for what it is, every day you do it, every moment it's done. Don't do your art because you want something, do it because doing it is it's own reward. In this way it will serve as an expression, a release, a joy, and tool of self improvement.

A martial art doesn't necessarily have to be you're art of choice but you should have some art in your life that serves these purposes. That's my suggestion anyway.

[younwhagrl]

Man Laurie....WE ARE SO MUCH ALIKE! gaw it's SCARY!!! I was to scared to post it really...but lately I havent been movtivated to go...but it's starting to pick back up again with testing coming around and things...and my students testing their first test next Friday..and it's got me excited about it, and a tournament a 2 weeks from now...somedays i have to force myself to go and somedays i wanna go...and the other day one of the instructors suggested i test for brown belt next week which is two months early...im really supposed to test in December..so thats got me stressed

[karatekid1975]

OMG!! You guys are the best (with your advice and stories). I feel like I'm not alone now. White Warlock, shotochem, and Sauzin, you guys basically said the same thing (some what). But I do agree. I'm listening to others instead of listening to my heart. For example, I was "talked" into testing in July, and I KNEW I wasn't ready. I decided to test a week before. Which isn't enough time to prepare, obviously LOL. But I am preparing for Nov. This time I will be ready, if I can still test. But if I can't, ah well, maybe next time. I'll just enjoy the ride You guys are right. It's something to shoot for, but it's not as important as "enjoying" what I do.

younwhagrl, I agree. Listen to these guys

[White Warlock]

*burp*