Something New

So I have been working on close range sparring lately.  Specifically staying off the ground, while successfully sparring in extreme close range.  It's something new for me.  It is still uncomfortable for me, and I get hit more often when I do it, than when I stay in my comfort zone.

That is what happens when you step outside your comfort zone.  Things are uncomfortable, challenging, exciting, and difficult.  If they weren't, we wouldn't call it a comfort zone.

Also, when you step outside your comfort zone, you learns.

There is only so much that can be accomplished by doing the same thing today that was done yesterday, and doing the same thing tomorrow that was done today.

So my challenge for today is for you to do something outside your comfort zone, try something a little different, break your routine.  It can be a simple little thing or a whole new project, as long as it is something new and different.

What is Self Defense?

I tell the kids in my classes that self defense is "how you keep you safe".  When most people think of self defense they think of either martial arts, or a concealed carry license, or pepper spray, or some other technique or device designed to disable an attacker.  The words "self defense" conjure up thoughts of the best way to release oneself from a headlock, or a bearhug, or a choke hold.  Yes, these things are self defense.  

These things are self defense in the same sense that open heart surgery is self defense in case of a heart attack.

If I were to have a heart attack, I am glad that there is a such thing as open heart surgery, just as if I am attacked I am glad that I've spent most of my life involved with martial arts.

However,

When it comes to heart attacks, I hope to never have to resort to open heart surgery.  To that end, I am practicing self defense.  I have cut down on red meat, nearly completely replaced the grains in my diet with 100% whole grains, increased the vegetable and fruit intake in my diet, I exercise daily.  All these things are intelligent self defense against a heart attack.

So why don't more martial arts schools consider the same approach to self defense against physical assault?  Sure there are some (very rare) unavoidable situations in which one must defend oneself, but true self defense training should encompass much much more than punches and kicks.

How do you keep you safe from physical attack?  Hopefully not by waiting until the attack happens.  Be kind to people, more kindness in the world will help.  Practice anger management.  Don't react without thinking first.  Avoid situations that are likely to put you in a physical confrontation.  Defend yourself with your mind first, (don't get in a fight and I guarantee you won't get hurt in a fight), your legs second (run, run, run), and your fists absolutely last.

Goals

There are a variety of goal setting methods that have been published to maximize one's ability to meet those goals.  The basics of goal setting seem to be fairly universal.

Be positive in how the goals are phrased.  Rather than "Try to stop being so lazy" phrase it, "I will improve my proactivity."

Be precise.  Rather than saying, "I want to lose some of this extra weight." say, "I will lose 15 pounds by walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week and not eating any more fast foods."

Record your goals and your progress.  Keep yourself honest.

Make your goals realistic and acheivable.  "I will become a better martial artist by training 30 minutes every day," is more acheivable than, "I will learn to walk through brick walls."

Set your goals, then reach for them.