I’m sure this has happened to everyone. You go through a phase where you feel your martial ability sucks, your form sucks, everyone is better, etc. I’m not in that frame of mind now, so don’t feel like you have to cheer me up or anything. However, here are some of the things I do to counter those feelings:
-Watch a movie that inspires the warrior spirit in me(be it CTHD, The One, Once Upon a time in China, Braveheart, The Three Musketeers(I love the Michael York ones), Conspiracy Theory, Ghost Dog, whatever)
-Meditate
-Practice something I really enjoy(I like drilling footwork)
-Reorganize how I train at home/come up with a new workout.
-Talk to my teacher about what I need the most work on.
I have to agree with you that watching an inspiring movie and drilling footwork are some of the things that get me back into it.
I also find that practicing weapons for extended time periods boost my interest, being that I like to concentrate on empty hand forms most of the time.
Too right!
Stick on a good video something like “Kick boxer” then go out into your garden and kick the h3ll out of a tree!
Works for me.
Seriously though, having been practicing CMA for many years, I know how easy it is to have these periods of apathy.
But usually all it takes is a good film, or maybe phone a kung fu friend and chat the stuff for a while.
My wife was watching an episode of bay watch while I was in horse stance last night that had kickboxing. It was so bad I had a hard time concentrating for laughing. I think I did put a little more into it out of fear I would ever look that ridiculase.
agreed, especially on the new workout idea. if you’re stagnant in your training, you definitely have to mix it up. hopefully, your training varies enough so it doesn’t get old on you.
even working the same technique over and over again can be mixed up – just find a way to train the same technique in a different way.
Setting ONE new goal (not to “improve” but to improve one thing) and go about achieving it. I find that I get in that mood because my goal is unfocused and I’m looking at way too many things so my view gets fogged over.
And, changing my training a bit. This year I threw in weight training and I’ve actually found a new career for myself–personal trainer (I’m studying hard).
Believe it or not, coming here to KFO often makes me want to train harder. When I read other members’ training routines and stuff, I feel like a lazy slob and get motivated to train a little harder.
I disagree, I never have those, I imagine it is only because I am superior to everyone I have ever walked by in my life. Not sure though… maybe because I didn’t even have to walk by someone to know I was already better than them.
Incase anyone wants to name me a troll, no I didn’t mean that (entirely) and infact I do feel like that. I usualy do the movie thing, or just do the psyche up training bit.
Seems like the consensus is watching great movies. Personally, I love watching Wheels on Meals (that Jackie/Benny fight rules!), Once Upon a Time in China (1 and 2 mostly but I dig the whole series), Fearless Hyena…I could go on but I might forget one and feel bad about it.
whenever i feel like that i beat up a retard. nothing motivates you to train like smashing the mentally challenged. except for when they win. getting beat up by a retard makes you want to train harder too.
Whenever I feel like that I call up a fellow student and get him/her to train with me at the park.
It hasn’t happened a lot since some of us started getting together and doing workouts on the Weekend.
Since we got a few at lower levels it keeps the training interesting trying to explain things to them.
Luckily in my Neighbourhood we got a lot of MA People that get together and exchange ideas.
Sunday afternoons we got the “Tui Shou Circle” meeting where many different stylists partaking.
Or I simple go and watch some other Groups exercise in the Park. One of those Groups is awesome in their execution of the internal styles.
Maybe in 10~15 Years I will nearly as good.
I focus not on basking on the good days, but improving the bad days.
All my life, I’ve staked out my worst days as my “true ability” and have strived hard to make my worst days not so terrible.
I don’t compare, because everybody is too different from me. Besides, I’ve had enough success in many other fields that I know that I will eventually become successful in kung fu - if not already.
There will come a point where my worst days are really no different from my best days. I’ve reached that point in classical violin after 20+ years of training, and I feel it coming soon in kung fu as well.
Yeah I watch movies, but not many really motivate me. There’s maybe a couple..
What I really do is listen to music, and kind of visualize myself, what I’m doing, where I’m going, etc.
Sometimes I meditate too
Sometimes I take a look at other martial artists, etc.
Well im glad everyone else is totaly sane…
I personaly will…
1 Hit things that are way harder than my fists:(
2 Attempt to pick fights with neighbours pets.
3 Go down to the supermarket and smack OTHER peoples children for being naughty.
4 Stop in my car and ask someone for directions, then just before they tell me… drive off.
5 Go though toll booths and tell them the guy behind me is paying.
6 Go down to Mcdonalds, pretend to be phycotic and at the top of my voice annonce 'HEY IM NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE, I WANNA SEE RONALD, WHERE THE HELL IS THAT CLOWN!! This sometimes even gets me free food.
7 Respond to a post by Ralek.
8 Ask in door knocking religous types for a quick cup of ox blood and group sex.
9 Stare at the person sitting next to me and drool when im on public transport.
10 Go singing Christmas carols, out of season, by myself, in other peoples front yards, half naked, with a bottle of tequila… and my court case comes up next week!
Thats pretty much how i cope with my ‘off’ days:D
Then again im not really a ‘model’ citizen:rolleyes:
