What philosophy & teachings you hold highest in your min

[Hawkmoon]

After joining this forum and as a fan of NCIS and Agent Gibbs, I wonder what we all hold important in our minds or hearts when we train.

Think of it as a top ten or top three (top 100 things, whatever) list of things we consider important and why?

We all have different styles we love, we enjoy we have followed for years, and we all have ideas (good/bad/upside down) about other schools.

Fancy sharing some philosophy & teachings and remove the smoke and mirrors?

[sensei8]

1> My betterment!

2> My students betterment!

3> My Hombu's betterment!

Why is my betterment at the top of the list? Because if my betterment isn't tended to, then my students' as well as the Hombu's betterment can't be realized. I must increase so that my students', as well as the Hombu's betterment can increase.

If I'm lacking, then my students will lack sufficiently, inasmuch, so will the Hombu.

[kensei]

1. how hard can I legally push the students/myself ( I half jest, I tend to give "butt kickers" and some technical classes...but mostly "butt kickers").

2. How can I make a hard class fun? ( I think that this is the single most important thing for me because I tend to be "drill sgt-y and want to make it more fun for younger members and not chase people away).

3. What key component/theory/technique am I going to teach at that class (is it a Kata, a kick, an idea of movement, a speicific Kihon waza....It makes a big difference if you go in with an idea and build around that...but I have to admit...I often change my mind at the last second during warm up)

4. what age/grade levels are their and how can I not teach above their heads and not bore the seniors at the same time. (lots of juniors leave Karate because they are made to feel stupid during classes when they dont get something that they were never taught in the first place...and lots of seniors get board and leave Karate because its all for the juniors).

5. What is more improtant in this case Spirit in training or techical improvement. Sometimes you have to abandon all want of perfection and just go with pure raw animal spirit from students. If you are doing Kumite and you see some sloppy form in movement but the student is training like their hair is on fire...do you stop them and correct the form or let them experience true spirit training and work from their later?

Teaching is organic, everyone is different and that is what makes the classes fantastic as well as pushing me to improve my skills as a teacher as well.

[ps1]

1. how hard can I legally push the students/myself ( I half jest, I tend to give "butt kickers" and some technical classes...but mostly "butt kickers").

2. How can I make a hard class fun? ( I think that this is the single most important thing for me because I tend to be "drill sgt-y and want to make it more fun for younger members and not chase people away).

3. What key component/theory/technique am I going to teach at that class (is it a Kata, a kick, an idea of movement, a speicific Kihon waza....It makes a big difference if you go in with an idea and build around that...but I have to admit...I often change my mind at the last second during warm up)

4. what age/grade levels are their and how can I not teach above their heads and not bore the seniors at the same time. (lots of juniors leave Karate because they are made to feel stupid during classes when they dont get something that they were never taught in the first place...and lots of seniors get board and leave Karate because its all for the juniors).

5. What is more improtant in this case Spirit in training or techical improvement. Sometimes you have to abandon all want of perfection and just go with pure raw animal spirit from students. If you are doing Kumite and you see some sloppy form in movement but the student is training like their hair is on fire...do you stop them and correct the form or let them experience true spirit training and work from their later?

Teaching is organic, everyone is different and that is what makes the classes fantastic as well as pushing me to improve my skills as a teacher as well.

Line of Sight on Your Weaknesses: In 1999, the Dunning-Kruger effect was introduced to the field of social psychology. In summary, this is the idea that people tend to overestimate their skills while underestimating the skills of others. Jiu-Jitsu does not allow for this. Because you are constantly testing your skill against others, over time, it is nearly impossible to believe yourself to be better than you really are. Your strengths and weaknesses are made apparent to you as well as the strengths and weaknesses of others. The ability to recognize and confront your weaknesses is character building, and enlightening.

Goal Setting: Because weaknesses are constantly being found, the ability to set goals to confront and overcome your weaknesses becomes ultimately important for growth in the art. Goal setting in Jiu-Jitsu is the only way to get better at jiu-jitsu. Further, because the goals are specific to your skill set, you will always get better as a result of achieving them.

Quiet Your Ego: In order to achieve your goals, which are ultimately grounded in your weaknesses, you must do things you are not good at doing. This means you will lose more often than you win until you achieve your goal. The only way to accomplish your goal is to quiet the ego; that innate desire to abandon what you’re doing and just do what it takes to win. Until you can quiet your ego, you will not achieve your goals. This is what holds most people back from getting good at Jiu-Jitsu, as well as keeps them from getting ahead in life.

Importance of Detail: When you constantly confront people that are younger, stronger, faster, and bigger than you; or when you are constantly beaten by someone who is smaller and weaker than you. It quickly becomes apparent that physical prowess is not the deciding factor in winning. In Jiu-Jitsu, as in life, the devil is in the details. Learning to be a technical and detail oriented person will make you a more effective person both at jiu-jitsu and in real life situations.

See the Forest for the Trees: Because the details you learn to see stem from a broader goal, this means a person will learn to see that the small things you do, affect the big things that happen. Despite the fact that there are several details to learn for each move, the overall goal of the move is never lost and is, in fact, strengthened by the details put forth. Our lives can often become clouded with the monotony of day to day details. It is important to constantly remember those details strengthen and support us in many ways.

Achievement Comes in Many Forms: Winston Churchill once said, “Failure is not fatal, Success is not final, it’s the courage to continue that counts.” This rings true both in jiu-jitsu and in the grand scheme known as life. Failure to meet a goal enlightens us to our weaknesses. And being successful at a something does not indicate that the move or skill can not still be honed further. Like a diamond, perfection in Jiu-Jitsu is the product of constant pressure and time. Go With the Flow: There are times in all our lives when things are truly beyond our control. This can either be a product of our own doing, or the product of others. Regardless, Jiu-jitsu combat has similar situations. If you chose to fight against those things you can not control, you will usually lose. Learning to go with the flow is very important if we want to succeed in Jiu-Jitsu.

Spot Your Landing: As we go with the flow it’s important to constantly look for places where we can regain control of the situation. Finding a foothold and focusing on where you’re headed will allow you to spot your landing and come out ahead.

Stand Your Ground: It’s been said that if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Understanding when you should stand your ground and when you should go with the flow is a constant struggle in Jiu-Jitsu. Different people move in different ways and the better you understand yourself and your situation, the better you can determine when and how to stand your ground and fight for your position.

Fun: While the prior 9 points are of extreme importance in getting good at jiu-jitsu and applying it to your life; having fun while you’re doing it will guarantee continued success and constant improvement. Whether it’s jiu-jitsu or improving the human condition, fun is the key to self-betterment, enduring struggle and pursuing your top level of achievement. I heard a professional fighter once say, “Jiu-Jitsu is the most fun you can have without breaking the law.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

[bushido_man96]

Great post, ps1.

I look for effort when I am teaching. I want my students to push themselves, and take an initiative in their learning. I want them to work hard for themselves, not for me.

I'd also like for them to have pride in the school, and what we are teaching. I want them to think of themselves as ambassadors of the school, and set good examples.

I'm big on integrity, too.

[Hawkmoon]

hmm ...nice read.

OK so how about what you personally keep in mind when sparring, competing, training etc.

For example when fighting I always hold (as law in my mind) 'Fight the man not the grade'

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