“As a society we’re obsessed with wellness but we keep getting sicker. The information we need is out there. But our ability to embrace it seems to lack zeal”

How likely are you to succeed?
Before you read this post, you need to complete a little task. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated (but it may be hard). Pick one goal that’s been ruminating in your mind for a while. It should be something that you really want to achieve. Now, rate your level of motivation to execute on that goal. Your rating should be a number on a scale of 1-10 where a 10 is utter commitment.

Don’t read on until the task is done…
OK, have you picked your goal and rated your motivation? If it was a 10, congratulations. Your chances of success are extremely good! In fact, you’re wasting your time if you continue to read this post. If it was less than a 10, what would it take to bring you up to a 10?
We all have dreams. Whether we allow them to manifest themselves as conscious thought - not to mention verbalize them - or leave them buried in our subconscious, each of us has goals and aspirations. What makes the difference between those that seem to consistently reach those aspirations and those who simply dream?
Why do some people lose the weight and keep it off? How do some people manage to transform their lifestyles and pursue more healthy habits when others languish in energy draining habits that sap their health and vitality? Why do some people soar to great professional heights while equally or more talented or intelligent people stay stuck in the mail room? What’s the difference?
Well, some people wish they could achieve their goals or hope that they’ll be able to make the grade. Other people simple decide that they’re going to reach new heights. And that’s the number one difference between those that achieve great things and those that don’t. There is no magic secret.
“Success is the constant drip of small actions
towards something magical”
The only way to stay the course and maintain that constant drip is to believe 100% that you will achieve your goal - that you will become the person you have decided to become. That simple principle holds true for any goal. If your motivation is high enough, you’ll start to believe that your goal will come to fruition. And it’s that belief and drive that will allow you to do the daily personal practice that brings the goal to life. The secret isn’t something mystical. In fact it’s very practical. It’s the accumulation of daily effort.

They’re the only ones who will have the perseverance to make the tough little decisions on a daily basis. Because when it comes to short term comfort or long term happiness, consistently opting for the latter is only possible when you have a vision for the future.
So if you didn’t give your goal a 10 out of 10 on the motivation scale. Your homework is to figure out how to fill in the gap. Where are you going to go get those other 2 or 3 points to bring you up to a 10? Once you figure that out, your chances of success are through the roof.

This topic is rather large but I will do my best to break it down in the hopes that it helps everyone takes from it something that can help them in training.

Lets start with the definition of paying attention or alertness:
“Is the state of paying close and continuous attention being watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency, or being quick to perceive and act. It is related to psychology as well as to physiology. The word is formed from “alert”, which comes from the Italian “all’erta” (on the watch, literally, on the height)”

Paying attention to yourself

The benefits to paying attention to yourself are as follows.

• Increased body awareness
• Decreases in injuries
• Increased learning

Enough said….lets look at closer!

There are 4 gauges to keep and eye on closely if you don’t already.

• Your effort levels (10 being max – 1 being min level)
• Your efficiency levels (10 being max – 1 being min level)
• Your structure levels (10 being max – 1 being min level)
• Your attention levels (10 being max – 1 being min level)

In an ideal world you want:
• 1 for effort meaning you exert very little.
• 10 for efficiency meaning a positive result quickly.
• 10 for structure meaning you keep yours (posture/positioning)
• 10 for attention meaning you kept your focus at hand.

In the worse case you would have :
• 10 for effort meaning you exert lots of energy.
• 1 for efficiency meaning a positive result took long or not at all.
• 1 for structure meaning you lost yours (posture/positioning)
• 1 for attention meaning you lost your focus.

Over the years I’ve seen countless students frustrated to various degrees. When I look closely at them ‘working’ it comes apparent there lack of attention. When you have a positive outcome in training or life ask yourself these for questions.

How much effort did I exert?
How efficient was it?
Did I position myself in the right place or places?
Was I focused?

Now put a number to it from 10 to 1. 10 being the most positive and 1 the most negative result.

I’m sure you will notice a pattern developing. Follow the positive results you get and you will be well on your way to making life, martial arts and even fitness training a more fruitful experience.

“Your greatest talent should lie in knowing how to precisely gauge yourself so that you stop before you begin to groove poorly”

emmanuel manolakakis
Hope this helps,
EM

PS - Stay tuned for the next segment (soon)…..