How to increase self-motivation with Martial Arts
It is easy to have good intentions, big dreams, wants, wishes and desires; we all have them. Why is it that some people seem to get what they want while others never do? This is not the luck of the draw. Sure, some people are born with more opportunities than others, but if this is your focus you have already lost. There are thousands if not millions of stories of less fortunate people who have accomplished and successful lives. Before we get into some ideas on how we can increase our self-motivation check out some of these famous quotes.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing
is not enough; we must do.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“The possibilities are numerous once we
decide to act and not react. “
George Bernard Shaw
“Doing nothing gets you nothing.” ~ Sean Reichle
“An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.” ~ Lao Tzu
“Remember, a real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.” ~ Anthony Robbins
“Always do what you’ve always done then you will always get what you’ve always got.” ~ Leonard Trigg
“Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.” ~ Chinese proverb
https://nwfighting.com/combat-martial-arts/jeet-kune/“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” ~ Bruce Lee
“The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don’t like to do.” ~ Thomas Edison
“Do what today others won’t, so tomorrow, you can do what others can’t.” ~ Brian Rogers Loop
“Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.” ~ Vaclav Havel
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
“I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life, therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.” ~ Napoleon Hill
Interesting how all of these famous people say the same thing, but few people learn from their success. One of the biggest mistakes I believe people make when trying to take positive steps forward in life is one of the simplest. They just do not take action based on what they know needs to be done. Here are a few action steps you can take to take action and make a positive move towards your goals.
- Replace “Can’t with Can and Try with Will”
If you use this language you will increase your self-motivation, accomplish more and become more confident in your actions. Using can’t and try makes you inconsistent and unreliable.
- Make a list of Five of your most important wants and desires. Make at least two of them training or fitness related.
For the two which are training and fitness related, ask an instructor what you can do to improve in those areas and work on developing them. Watch videos on professionals attempting the technique and take 5 minutes every day to visualize yourself doing that same move perfectly.
Imagine yourself hitting every part of it flawlessly just like your instructor or athlete did. Visualizing the successes rather than the failures it will help you focus on the positive and more importantly demonstrate to yourself that you can do it.
Then focus your attention and energy towards achievement in these areas. Do not waste one minute of thought on the possibility of failure.
- When talking or thinking about your five most important goals, wants and desires use positive language, I will, I can, I want, etc…
When all of your thoughts, language and energy are focused on a positive change eventually it will become a reality.
- Visualize what this will look like.
- How fit you will be when you can run a mile in 6 minutes.
- How inspired you will be after reading 50-100 new books this year.
- How strong your confidence will be when you have achieved a black belt level in your training.
- Admit Fear/Defeat and move on.
- Fear is not a reason for quitting, it is an excuse.
- One example; think of the times where you missed class and were nervous about coming back after a long break. Were you worried about keeping up? Were you afraid that you forgot some the techniques?
- The first step is to acknowledge it. Know that there isn’t any time to waste. It won’t get better until you get back into the routine.
- An example we use for our students in the leadership program who trying to obtain their black belt; think of one thing in class that you feel nervous about demonstrating or performing.
- Why are you afraid of doing it?
- Think of what a black belt would do. Do they get nervous?
- Of course, but they channel it into a positive motivator and know that if they fail, what’s the worst that can happen?
- They can always try again until they succeed.
Face Reality…
No one is coming. This may sound a bit negative, but it is not the intent. The sooner you stop waiting for something to happen or someone to help you the sooner you will accomplish what is important to you.
Having personal responsibility is essential if you want to grow, take control of your life and increase your self-motivation. You can blame your problems on whatever or whoever you like, but every minute of these thoughts are wasted energy that could be used towards positive growth. It is up to you to accomplish and create the life you desire.