So ...what did I get out of all of the time spent training? For myself, it really has been true that I developed habits in judo that helped me in life.
It was actually my college track coach who had a sign in her office:
It takes a little more to make a champion.
but I applied that to judo. I would tell myself every day,
Champions always do more.
Whether it was the number of throws, number of rounds of randori or miles that I ran trying to get closer to on weight, every time I was ready to quit, I would remind myself,
Just do a little more.
Those extra five minutes every practice added up to hundreds of hours more of practice over the years.
I still have that habit to this day. Having gotten up REALLY early to go to tournaments the last two days, I was unusually tired tonight and found myself ready to knock off work around 10:30 pm. I downloaded a video for the game, converted it to three different formats to accommodate different browsers and wrote most of this blog in between waiting for the conversions. I also solved a minor problem on one of the little supplemental programs in the game.
When I'm tired and want to knock off for the day, I still tell myself,
Just do a little more.
Whether it is writing a computer game or writing a book , it adds up , a little at a time.
8 comments:
check out the unn website, www.unn.edu.ng
I'm telling you Doc, this should be your next book!
Keep 'em coming. Love the blog!
@wmbandy
Daphne -
I did check out the University of Nigeria website and it does look interesting - not sure how it's related, but interesting.
Michael -
I'm thinking about doing another book next year, if I have time
A great book that discusses this subject is called "The Master Key To Riches" and it talks about the "habit of going the extra mile" as essential to enduring success.
Like Napolean Hill, I agree that "going the extra mile" entails more than just "doing more", but doing it with a positive mental attitude. I always have been a precious individual and I like to look at why people do what they do. I find that there are those who push themselves almost reluctantly and those who place priority on doing more above rest. I, personally, find dignity in labor and virtue in sacrifice.
I always take a look at what the best of the best are doing and I do more of it and figure out smarter ways to do it. I even use the phrase "going the extra miles" because one mile alone isn't enough. But every time I do, I'm always happy to. It's never a chore for me and it fills me with more energy. I remember training until dawn and next day at work, I had more energy than those who got 8 hours of sleep because when you have a dream and you're excited, it rejuvenates you.
From my own experiences, I think that the attitude you do something with is important and it really shows your true character. Not for nothing, but I hate complainers and there are a lot of them in MMA, even at the professional level. I don't understand why they can't just love what they do, it's heart breaking to see the spirit of the martial arts not in these people.
Well, yes and no. I agree with you about going the extra mile. I have never read anything by Napoleon Hill by quotes by him seem so accurate that I will need to change that.
On the other hand, many of those who complain about athletes not being in the spirit of martial arts are actually getting paid while the athletes are receiving little or nothing. Not saying that's the case with you, but it HAS been used as a way to take advantage of naive young athletes.
"Not saying that's the case with you, but it HAS been used as a way to take advantage of naive young athletes." I'm not a coach nor do I own a gym. I'm an amateur MMA fighter, but with years of training in various Martial Arts. Not sports, mostly, self-defense and survival. I have never once complained about my training and when I feel tired, I get up without a pause and keep moving, knowing that I can depend on my spirit to re-energize me.
I recommend reading "Living The Martial Way" by Forrest E. Morgan, "The Craft of the Warrior" by Robert L. Spencer and translations of books written by warriors who lived in the day and age prior to the development of guns. The spirit of the martial arts is taught by example and standards set on the way people practice. It is not a description to fit. If taught properly, it need not even be mentioned.
If taught properly, it need not even be mentioned - I like that.
This blog is more addicting than Jane Austen... and I've read Pride & Prejudice more times than I care to admit. What an inspiration!! THANK YOU for putting your thoughts to virtual paper
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