Motivation

[parkerlineage]

If I understood you correctly, then we take the same or very simliar styles. The transition from second class brown to first class brown, or whatever you call your next level, is - especially in Kenpo - very difficult. The techniques are very abstract, the form, if you don't already have it, is crazy...and all you're trying to do is get another little stripe on your belt.

All I can say is - don't give up. You're so close now. Try to remember all the fun you've had, and don't forget to practice the earlier stuff that you enjoy. Also, it's time to start thinking about your own take on stuff - that can add an entirely new dimention!

I hope that was helpful...how's it going for you?

[brokenswordx]

we all go through that period of training. don't give up! keep your eyes on the prize!

[Rook19]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the help. It's been tough, but I think I'm going to have some short term/long term goals and talk to my instructor. Thanks again...

[Fairfax_Uechi]

we all go through that period of training. don't give up! keep your eyes on the prize!

What's the prize??

I ask this half in jest and half in seriousness.

To many the "prize" is earning a black belt. But to others it's going much deeper. Afterall, once you earn your black belt if that's the prize, then you're done, right? But there has to be more, after all if there wasn't, people would quit after getting Shodan. Now many do, but for those that keep training, there has to be something. Hence, the reason for my question.

Personally, I find training to be very difficult after I get into a cycle where I feel like I've learned the basics of something new, but not gotten to the point of perfecting it. The time it takes to go over and over and over from going through the motions to "getting it" is the toughest for me. Learning new skills is easy. It takes lots of time, and is hard work, and is frustrating, but seeing progress helps with the motivation. and the point where it becomes something nice and graceful is incredible. The light just goes on, and there is a great feeling of reward. But the transition in between to me is like the month of Feburary. It just seems SO LONG. And a very hard time to keep motivated, but also the most important time to do so. Sometimes, I back off a little, and sometimes I train harder and tough through it. Sometimes I read some, and sometimes I get on here and look at all of the beginners and use that for motivation and how I was my first few years of traning. Other times, I watch a movie, or I train with folks much more senior to me. Or I get with some of my peers from the dojo. In any case, I try to mix it up and do things to want to train. And yes, from time to time, I take a week or two off from hard training, and the time away really makes me want to train harder.

F

[cathal]

What's the prize??

I ask this half in jest and half in seriousness.

Heh, nobody told you about the prize??

[Fairfax_Uechi]

What's the prize??

I ask this half in jest and half in seriousness.

Heh, nobody told you about the prize??

Nah they mentioned it, but told me they would have to kill me if they told me...

[parkerlineage]

Don't tell anybody I told you this, but it's either a decoder ring, a sticky-hand, or a wind-up Superman toy.

[HG]

Teaching beginner students worked for me. Their enthusiasm to learn pumped up my motivation.

[jaymac]

I started to lose motivation too around brown belt. Then I began thinking, am I doing the best that I can. I know the movements, but is my technique really up to par? I did a thorough examination of myself. I discovered that I could do alot better and put more effort into my training. I started over at white belt and tried really focusing on technique and slowly moved up. Also, for some odd reason, watching MA movies always seems to motivate me.

[Jiffy]

Motivation is a very personal thing. The only thing that is consistant from person to person is that you will need to find what it is that makes YOU tick and concentrate on that. But what it is that makes us tick is different for every person and exactly what makes us all individuals.