I believe everyone starts their martial arts or self defense journey with the idea that they want to be on the same level as Jason Bourne, La Femme Nikkita, John Wick, etc. Then there is that moment after a students first class, where the interest manifests deeper. Some of you reading this are probably in that camp where the interest is so deep it is growing into something else. I believe Kenneth Blanchard had said it best, "There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.".
To better understand the word commitment, let's take a look at the definition according to Google:
com·mit·ment /kəˈmitmənt/
noun
the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.
I think Kenneth Blanchard hit nail right on the head. Except, that an interest has the potential to grow into a commitment. I remember watching my instructor, Mr. Chris Crouch, and his peers test for his Black Belt under Mr. Mark Cox. From that day forward, I decided that what I saw was the standard and I had to maintain it and raise it. My interest grew and I began committing myself to my training. I had decided that if my survival were to depend on my training, I better make the most of every class available and every repetition.
Don't feel like coming to training because you aren't feeling it? Don't let it become an excuse. You missed an entire class due to traffic? Don't let it become an excuse; find out from your training peers what they went over and make it to the next class. Life got in the way? Don't let it become an excuse; your martial arts family will always be there, but you are the one that has to come back. Injured? Don't let it become an excuse; get to class and start writing down notes. You might be reading this and think this might be about you...well, the truth is it was actually about myself. I struggle just like everybody else and it is normal to be faced with adversity, but the choice you make to train is what shapes your skills. In order to be the practitioner you desired to be in the first place, you must be willing to do the work. Commit to your training and hold yourself accountable.
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