Developing skills in any martial art is a long journey without an end. To improve our abilities, we have to invest a lot of time in training. There is absolutely no substitute for long years of hard work and dedication.
- Asking the right questions will not instantly result in understanding of technique or philosophy.
- Attending private lessons or classes is not enough to progress.
Real progress comes only with constant practice, study and awareness with humility. We must take our martial arts everywhere we go. I am not suggesting that we walk around with a clenched fist or a pair of nunchaku, but that we keep our minds and bodies alert and aware of every detail we can sense. This kind of investment is what the martial arts lifestyle requires.
No DVD, workout routine, or masterful instructor can bring us to our peak level of ability in martial arts. Our investment in time is the only thing that we can count on to move us forward. As Americans we always want a goal or a time-line to work towards. Unfortunately, true martial arts skill cannot be quantified in these neat and tidy dimensions.
We have to accept the process of training for what it is, not what we would like it to be. We would like it to be a clear and concise progression from one level to the next, but it is not. In order to invest our time in training with confidence we have to assume that there will ups and downs, and that we will continue no matter what. Martial arts training requires a level of investment that most people do not understand – that is why so few people become proficient.
If you are not ready to invest your time in training, then you must accept that you will only reach a certain level of skill. There is no way to achieve the skills you desire without investing time in training. People hate hearing this, but it takes years to become excellent at martial arts no matter who you are. If you cannot make the full investment, don’t feel bad, just be realistic. Be happy with the skills you can gain with the investment you can make and don’t put pressure on your yourself.
If you want to reach a higher level in your martial art, it is not up to your instructor to get you there. You have to make the investment.
