Getting what you focus on

Think about the last time you rode your bicycle. (In gorgeous late November weather like this, I hope it was today!) Think about riding down the trail and seeing a big hole. Have you ever noticed that the more you look at that hole the more likely you are to hit it? Now think about the last time you were in a crowded mall. You're walking along and a three year old catches your eye. As soon as he locks on to you-- sure enough-- you walk right into him!

Why is that? You surely didn't want to run into the hole or run over the toddler, so why did you do it? The answer is easy. You get what you focus on.

The same is true in your taekwondo training. If you focus on better stances, your stances will get better. If you focus on memorizing your form, you will memorize your form faster. Higher kicks... you get the picture.

The same is true with instruction. As I teach you new pieces of taekwondo, my focus changes. At first, I focus simply on getting you to do the gross motor skill portion of the technique. Your body just isn't used to jumping up in the air, spinning around and throwing a kick. Once your body realizes it can, then I start working with you to perfect the kick.

Unfortunately, sometimes we stop at the gross motor stage of the learning rather than getting to the details! That's when a new level of relationship needs to form between the two of us- one of trust on your part and one of not being complacent on mine. It's easier for both of us to say it is "good enough" when you memorize your form or can "do" a kick. I'm not satisfied with that, however. I hope you're not either! I want you to be a martial artist-- someone for whom "good enough" isn't.

Martial arts is not meant to be easy. Getting your black belt or beyond is difficult. Training hard for many years, pushing your body in ways that it sometimes would rather not go, sacrificing time, and learning self discipline that others don't understand is the right path towards mastership. It is a journey well worth it all!

Good luck in your journey!

Mr. Bailey