| Believing Your Own Press -- What Would You Do? | | | | if it proved useless? |
| In the world of magic, there is an expression | | | | * Would your ego allow you to learn from an |
| about "believing your own press." | | | | equal, a peer, like me? |
| For martial artists, we tend to say "a legend in his | | | | * Would you cast blame for the failure on |
| (or her) own mind." It's OK for folks to exhibit | | | | yourself and lack of proficiency, on the move, on |
| confidence. That's not what I'd like to talk about in | | | | your style? Or are you the type who doesn't |
| this article. | | | | need to fling blame around? |
| I 'am' concerned about the problem that occurs, | | | | Conclusion |
| when someone believes the martial arts | | | | In order to progress, you have to be willing to |
| techniques they do are the best. All of their | | | | learn. |
| sequences, in their mind, are super effective. | | | | To learn, sometimes you have to discard the |
| They believe in their own technique too much. | | | | familiar. |
| And they are unable to progress ... because they | | | | There are so many JKD factions (and other |
| can't change. | | | | eclectic martial arts styles) whose practitioners |
| Martial Scenario | | | | talk a good game. They say that their style is |
| So, I'd like to pose a scenario to you: | | | | ever-progressing. |
| What if you and I got together, to work out. | | | | Yet, all of their moves and sequences look |
| It's friendly play. (Hey, I am a nice guy.) During | | | | unchanged over the years. (And I do see |
| the workout, you do one of your best techniques | | | | inefficiencies in what they do.) |
| on me. Unfortunately, this time, you are | | | | They are progressive styles without progress.... |
| unsuccessful with this particular technique. I have | | | | The style stays the same. |
| a clean counter, that puts me in an advantageous | | | | Have they never encountered anyone who could |
| position. Not believing the fallibility of your move, | | | | counter these moves? |
| you try it a few more times, at various spots in | | | | Are they blind to progress? |
| the practice. | | | | Or is there some type of resistance to change |
| No luck. | | | | going on? |
| Each time is worse. | | | | If you want to be a better martial artist, you'll |
| Now, I ask you: | | | | make the improvement process a whole lot |
| * Would you be willing to explore and possibly | | | | easier with an open mind. |
| change your move? | | | | Remember, an overflowing cup can't hold more |
| * Could you drop the move from your repertoire, | | | | liquid ... or knowledge. |