motivation problem; lost of interest

[Anbu Alex]

thats awsome im happy to hear that its kool that your teach was still humble and seem happy that you just came to train i know that feeling i think thats why i like my dojo so much its like a family i felt that even more when i got promoted this week and everyone was happy for me even ppl who were there longer and trained longer than me that i passed in rank thats one reason why i stayed in the martial arts

[karatekid1975]

Yea, that was cool. I feel better today, too. Physically and mentally. It was great to workout again. Tomorrow is "open" class, which is when the students of all ranks train together, and we can work on "whatever." So I am going through the whole curiculum, at least twice. That would be a good "refresher."

[karatekid1975]

I did go through the whole curriculum yesterday. It felt great. I haven't missed a beat (except my bo form got a little sloppy), thank goodness. Then I did a lot of kicking drills. Then I had jujitsu class that night. My body is "screaming" right now (mainly from the breakfalls, and joint lock drills that we did), but it was totally worth it. I'm back into training now. A Long chat with my Sensei and his wife helped a great deal too (they are mad smart about martial arts and gave me loads of advice). I'm so siked now

[lgm]

Laurie, I think I came in quite late to be of help. You seem to have recovered and gotten over your plateau and low motivation to continue training. I'm happy for you!

Had I come in earlier, I would have advised to reflect on what you really want out of your training. Having a definite goal to strive for, like the blackbelt rank, is great. Every time you go to the dojo to practice, remind yourself of this goal. Remember the best action to take to reach your goal is good preparation. You will have to tell yourself to train, train harder and perhaps overtrain so you will be more than prepared to succeed where you may have failed before. I have a sneaking suspicion that the reason why you got discouraged earlier is because you have all but abandoned your original goal, perhaps for fear of failing.

If you prepare and train well and believe in yourself because you have in fact prepared and trained well, you will be more than eager to test for the blackbelt, if this is the training goal you have decided to achieve. Fear of failure will never enter your mind, if from this day forward you will busy yourself to practice and master everything that is expected for you to pass. As you practice, you will improve and as you improve, you will succeed in achieving your goal. Always remember that having a goal without a plan of action that you subsequently do is but a dream and similar to a "boat on dry land" (from the Karate Kid movie).

But, hey, you don't seem to need this advice anymore, as you are all psyched up for action and got your inspiration back. Good luck and keep the faith always!

[jarrettmeyer]

I think that there is something to be said for the difference between determination and dedication.

Dedication is committing oneself to a certain task, activity, goal, or whatever.

I am not a dedicated karateka. I am determined to get better, though. Some weeks I will only go once per week. I will go three times on other weeks. It all depends on my mood. I give 100% when I'm there, and I push myself hard. If I am not in the right mindset to give 100%, I don't go.

[IcemanSK]

Laurie:

Way to hang in there!

There will always be times when your desire to train ebbs & flows. Whether in your case its nerves (as has been a suggested possibity) or not, I don't know. If it is, I get it! Don't worry, it happens to everyone.

I've never been one to rip on students for being burned out. For awhile I felt I need to "keep up with the Jones'" in the gym, too. The "Jones" I picked to emulate was a professional fighter (who didn't have a full time job) & was ALWAYS in the gym. Despite the fact that I have no aspirations to be a pro fighter, I wanted to train like him. (Cuz after all, he a great fighter. Right?) I would constantly pick his brain for tips, ideas & info. But after a few months, I learned I couldn't live off of his nearly psychotic energy for the sport, nor anyone else's for that matter. I spoke to him the other day, he's rehabing from knee surgery. I asked him if it was stuff to be away from the gym. He said, "No, I've had to stay awat cuz of injuries a few times. I never go back too soon." Even HE knows how to take care of himself.

Whether injury or that "burned out" feeling, I always try to take some time away from the gym to do something else. Its the only way to recharge those batteries for the art (or anything else) you really love.

Me? I thought I'd never wear a uniform or a belt again & just stick to boxing & kickboxing gyms....until I struck up a conversation with the guy who runs the class at the local community center. Now, I'm helping him & I love it.

Good luck in your training & testing!

[karatekid1975]

IcemanSK, thanks Yea, I think the time off did help. I took tonight off from class, because I am really sore. But I will be back on thursday.

lgm, yes I do have a goal. And it is black belt. BUT not for the rank itself. It's to discover myself as a martial artist after getting my BB. Usually people change after they test for BB for the better or they go downhill (quit, ect). Or they just re-discover who they really are as a person. I'm actually looking forward to that.

[italian_guy]

I'm glad you have regained some motivation... but still I repeat my advice do not overestimate black belt I know it is an important milestone... but don't stumble on it!

[karatekid1975]

italian_guy, I know what you mean. I'm trying not to do so, and just train hard. My goal right now, though, is to know my stuff inside and out before I test for 1st gup again. I want to be in top form (without over doing it).

But a friend of mine gave me advice the other night (similar to what you said). I was comparing myself to BB's (I'm not even one yet LOL), and I was actually "pushing" myself further from BB. Basically what she said is, don't do that, just train. Train hard to improve for youself, not them. So, that's is what I'm trying to do (a mini-goal so to speak).

[shogeri]

There are stages in life which often lead us to a time in-between.

An "in the meantime" if you will.

You have recently been there it seems, and perhaps you feel that you have learned all there is to to know, and yet it failed to satisfy you. Or perhaps something is not as you expected it to be. So then comes the lingering moments that lead to burn-out if gone unchecked or unnoticed.

The good part is that you took notice.

Take up some research, and study the Martial Arts academically in your spare time.

Every time you go back you should focus more, not on what you are learning, but why and how such things truly advance you as a Martial Artist and a person. Since if it is doesn't advance you in some way, or you do not gain or receive anything from doing something, then you shouldn't be doing it in the first place.

Move on, move forward, and move up.

You need fulfillment, but you also need utility. You will get out of it, what you put in.

Martial Artist should have alot of self-motivation. You must constantly rekindle the flame, and continue marching on, so that you can easily obtain your re-established goals.

Make every day a new day.

Finish every day with determination to do better, and smile to share with someone.

Train hard, train smart, train like you mean it.

Good luck!