Successful Training in the Martial Arts
People study and research self defense for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, your success in learning self defense is down to how well you implement a training plan. Simply reading a self defense book or watching a DVD will not improve your ability or skill. You would not read a book on exercise and expect to get fit without taking any action. Similarly with self defense, ensuring you do the proper training and have an action plan will lead to greater success.
So what steps can we take to ensure success ? Outlined below are some ideas for you to think about:
1) Know what you want to achieve.
The first step is to know exactly what it is you ultimately want to achieve and why. Are you training in Self Defense to gain confidence, improve your fitness or help deal with the fear of a violent confrontation ? Is you aim to lose weight, gain a black belt or simply to be better prepared ?
Get very clear on your reasons for studying and training in self defense.
2) Work towards what you want to achieve persistently.
Knowledge is nothing without action especially where self defense is concerned. Knowing how to perform the perfect chest press will not make you stronger without actually doing it. Reading the latest diet book will not make you thin unless you take action.
It is often said that martial arts and self defense is a journey which starts with a single step. It may take a single step to start, but you need to keep walking to complete that journey!
So think on how you can incorporate your self defense training into everyday life and what consistent action you will take to achieve your aims.
3) Measure your results.
You have decided on what you would like to achieve, you are taking persistent action towards that. How do you tell if what you are doing is accomplishing anything ?
Many people blindly follow a particular training method without knowing if they are getting the results they desire. This can lead to boredom, frustration and even burnout. Whatever your desired outcome, have a way of measuring the results you want. It is best to be able to write this down. For example, if your aim was to achieve a black belt you could measure this grading by grading. Writing down what you want to achieve and how you will measure it is a great way of staying focused on the outcome.
4) Change what does not work.
If you find that you are working towards what you want to achieve, but are not getting the results you want, change your approach. Martial arts and self defence is all about being adaptive to the situation and this applies to your training as well.
However, this does not mean giving up on a particular program or method at the first hurdle. Be aware that there are times when your training can plateau. Simply vary your approach while still making it measureable.
These ideas are especially useful if you are training using our Black Belt Self Defense Program. Our instructors and support staff are here to offer continued advice, support and encouragement throughout the program. For more information on the Black Belt Self Defense Program visit us