When doubt sets in

[Spartacus Maximus]

After a few years training there is a certain point where one might question one's skills or purpose of continuing training. How can one best overcome this with the added pressure of living up to one's instructor's expectations.

[MAfreak]

the instructors expectations only count, when they are suitable for ones own goals. think about your goals (self defense, competitions or whatever) and how the specific training is effective in your eyes. when yes and the instructor pushes you, take it as a sign that he is serious with you.

when not, think about joining an other gym/club/school or at least do cross training or trial sessions there to get an idea of whether it is better for you or not.

in both cases maybe a break for some weeks could make the mind clear again.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Personally I agree with what you said Spartacus because everyone at some point or another will experience self-doubt about their own skills and/or why they should continue training and/or their instructors expectations.

In relation to their skills, everyone will experience this hurdle because things are just not working for them or that what they are doing in class may not help (i.e. the training exercises that they do).

It is also closely followed by the doubt whether they should continue training, because if they are losing interest then the risk is that they are going to stop training.

And finally Instructors Expectations, they obviously vary from instructor to instructor but at the end of the day all they want you to do is do your best and train to the best of your abilities. Even if that day is the best day or your worst day.

[sensei8]

Walk away!! Take a needed break! Give time a chance to put fresh eyes on what's more important. What you're feeling is quite normal; happens to everyone once in a while. And this feeling also happens in one's work place!

Give yourself a pep talk!! If you've not heard anything negative from your instructor, then ignore the feelings, if you can. If you can't, then take a brief break to clear your mind.

This allows one to release any anxiety; to give time to do what's needed. Doubt is the enemy, and it could care less about you. Doubt can tie your stomach into knots.

Time heals all wounds!!

[cheesefrysamurai]

I agree with much of what Nidan Melbourne said.

You have to push through these times. if karate meant nothing and was a waste of your time, you wouldn't see it as a hurdle. It would be meaningless.

[Lupin1]

I'm feeling that right now.

I got my Shodan in December and lately I've been feeling like I don't deserve it. Part of it is my work schedule has changed and I've only been getting to class once every other week or so and I haven't been practicing much on my own, so my skills are slipping.

Next Tuesday is our last class before we break for the summer. I'll probably end up just taking a break for the summer, but I'm also considering possibly doing the three months at another school or in another art to just to mix it up and rekindle something. Summer is my busiest time at work, however, so I'm not sure.

[cheesefrysamurai]

I'm feeling that right now.

I got my Shodan in December and lately I've been feeling like I don't deserve it. Part of it is my work schedule has changed and I've only been getting to class once every other week or so and I haven't been practicing much on my own, so my skills are slipping.

Next Tuesday is our last class before we break for the summer. I'll probably end up just taking a break for the summer, but I'm also considering possibly doing the three months at another school or in another art to just to mix it up and rekindle something. Summer is my busiest time at work, however, so I'm not sure.

Lupin, don't sweat it. Seriously. I feel like that with each individual promotion. It takes a little time to grow into the rank. Your Sensei made the decision based in his perception which is what matters. In a little bit of time, you will (in your mind) fill the roll well. Don't give up. Your development is important to becoming the shodan you are meant to be.

[sensei8]

I'm feeling that right now.

I got my Shodan in December and lately I've been feeling like I don't deserve it. Part of it is my work schedule has changed and I've only been getting to class once every other week or so and I haven't been practicing much on my own, so my skills are slipping.

Next Tuesday is our last class before we break for the summer. I'll probably end up just taking a break for the summer, but I'm also considering possibly doing the three months at another school or in another art to just to mix it up and rekindle something. Summer is my busiest time at work, however, so I'm not sure.

Lupin, don't sweat it. Seriously. I feel like that with each individual promotion. It takes a little time to grow into the rank. Your Sensei made the decision based in his perception which is what matters. In a little bit of time, you will (in your mind) fill the roll well. Don't give up. Your development is important to becoming the shodan you are meant to be.

Solid post!!

If this means anything to you...in my 52 years in the MA, specifically Shindokan, I've doubted myself more than I care to remember. It's a natural thing to doubt oneself. However, it's not a good thing to possess over it.

When we doubt ourselves, and we dwell on it, we're inadvertently questioning our Sensei's ability to evaluate as well as promote us as he/she feels fit. That's not appreciated quite well by any Sensei!!

Take that break and return to the floor with both a fresh eye and heart; you deserve that...your Sensei deserves that. Shake off the doubt one layer at a time.

Train hard...Train well!!

[IcemanSK]

I think self doubt is a part of any endeavor that take seriously in our lives. Only true narcissists don't doubt themselves.

The instructor's job (in part) is to set a bar for the students to reach for. Depending on how one looks at it, the bar can either be just out of reach of the student, or it can one that is always raised when a goal is reached.

Doubt &/or burn out (either psychological or physical) are natural parts of working a physical goal for a long period of time. sensei8 has the right thought here. Take some time off. Do something (or nothing) else for awhile. Recharge your batteries and come back refreshed. Life happens around training. Enjoy it. Training will still be there when you're ready again.

[ShotokanGage]

I think self doubt is a part of any endeavor that take seriously in our lives. Only true narcissists don't doubt themselves.

The instructor's job (in part) is to set a bar for the students to reach for. Depending on how one looks at it, the bar can either be just out of reach of the student, or it can one that is always raised when a goal is reached.

Doubt &/or burn out (either psychological or physical) are natural parts of working a physical goal for a long period of time. sensei8 has the right thought here. Take some time off. Do something (or nothing) else for awhile. Recharge your batteries and come back refreshed. Life happens around training. Enjoy it. Training will still be there when you're ready again.

How long would you suggest a break should last? I'm feeling a little confused at the mo regarding similar issues in above posts, but I can't just STOP... I would have to do something else, maybe another sport like tennis etc... But I don't want to give up Shotokan for good. Hard work thinking about what to do....