Motivation
Welcome to the Total 360 January 2024 blog. I have experienced in over 20 years I have trained that most people come into the gym or dojo highly motivated in January. They want to make changes and renew afresh for the year. Quickly this sediment changes as we move through the year. This blog is dedicated to helping reduce the fall-off. Motivation comes in both, internal forms, and external forms.
Do I need to change my training for health reasons, which is an outside source? This motivation could turn inward if you know you have to do it. One of the biggest successes is when someone sets a goal and sub-goals to meet their goal. Motivation goes up when they see small steps as success. This is one of the mainstay points in Total 360 karate. Most people don’t see the first day as a success, they are confused. Students learn how to come into the dojo, and where to stand. Within 3 months, these students are in the Green Belt rank asking out how they got there. Mini-goals are a tremendous way to help stay motivated. I want to be a yellow belt in a few months. This is a good goal, now what do you have to do to get there? You can journal and ask these questions, find the answers, and cross each one out on your way to the mini-goal. What might the eventual goal be, to get to the black belt rank or aspire to be a better person?
Partnering
Another motivational tool is to partner with someone. Share your hopes and failures, and work together to build success. Parents can take our classes with their students. They can actively participate in the learning process with them. Find a classmate who you get along with and work together.
Sayings/Music
Find your favorite quotes, sayings, or athlete statements that you can read each day or when you need to. Your Sensei grew up and took martial arts when the Rocky and Creed movies came out. Each movie had a saying or phrase to build on. Find motivating music with a driving beat, and push you when tired. Create a playlist, put your earbuds in, and practice karate.
Sensei
Your Sensei will open the door for you and ask you how much you want the next belt or if you have more, but know your Sensei will also do the exercises with you. For every grind, push-up, and kata you practice, your Sensei does them too.
Motivation does not end just because the day is over. Allow motivation to build throughout your life, activities, and hobbies. Total 360 will be there to help support you and motivate you during 2024. Hajime.