Tweaking time

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. “Confucius

If what you are doing is not working…. STOP… change to something that works then go for it. You might need to tweak a specific move if the mechanics of it are not applied properly. Doing it harder and faster will not make it work better.

Example: if you are trying to defend yourself by hitting a very large guy’s muscular chest, the only thing you might hurt is your hands. If you keep hitting it harder and faster, you will just make him mad.
It’s also like driving down the wrong road and realizing you are lost. If you start speeding it will not put you back on the right road but it just might get you a speeding ticket or in a car accident.

Try something that will work for you.
Physics work great if applied properly

Our deepest fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Harper Collins

Breaking the rope

An adult elephant is a mastodon big enough to tear most everything down and cause a lot of damage. The way they control a circus elephant is a simple process. They start when the elephant is very young. They secure him to a deeply entrenched stake, using a large and sturdy chain. Try as he may his small frame cannot overcome the chain he is attached to. After months of this treatment, the pattern gets set and the elephant knows with no uncertainty that he cannot break free. Thus comes the time to only tether him to a small rope. Now, he could break this rope without breaking a stride but when he reaches the point where he feels a slight resistance, he gives up without even trying. The habit is created. He is held in place by his own beliefs, by his past experiences and failures at breaking free.

We all have those strings that are holding us back with no reasons whatsoever but past experiences , failures, rejections or traumas. We encounter a slight resistance, a few difficulties and poof, we revert to that small elephant tied to a large chain.
What will it takes for us to break those strings and set ourselves free. It’s time to take a step back and really examine what is holding us back.

DISCIPLINE

“I practiced for 8 hours a day since I was 6. And spent hours on the weekends taking private classes from the best and playing for hours and hours. Summer vacations simply meant more practice time, practice until I was as perfect as I could be. And they called that brilliant. I call it discipline.”

-Anonymous

To be considered proficient in any field you should spend 10,000 hours of good practice time on it, which is basically 20 hours per week for 10 years. This takes dedication and passion.

Do you have anything you are passionate about??

Say NO to toxic waste

Greatness is not about having all the answers but more so about having questions and not being afraid to look for answers. If you think you are perfect just the way you are or that you don’t need to change, “others” do, you will create stagnation in your life.
1-stagnation - a state of inactivity
2-stagnation - inactivity of liquids; being stagnant; standing still; without current or circulation
And we all know that stagnant water can be a major environmental hazard. It’s toxic, unsafe. Do NOT let your life become toxic.
Actions we may be performing daily, even unconsciously, most likely seem ideal to us. Then someone comes along doing it better and more efficiently. We have the choice to turn our heads and say “My way is still better because of this and that and this” OR we could say “What he/she is doing works much better, how can I learn to do it better”. Yes there may be a battle with your ego but your ego doesn’t keep you warm at night. I have seen time and time again people refusing to grow, becoming “stagnant” and most of the time their way to handle growth is by keeping others around them from growing, even having them regress. This way they keep being the big dog. But they will never know greatness. Greatness is being your best and helping others around you being their best. This way everyone keep each other growing and alive. There is no life in stagnation.
Today, let someone challenge you and learn from it.

BE SMART

Pound for pound most men are stronger than women, barring any health issues of course. What does this mean? It means you should not play with fire thinking you are invincible. Don’t provoke, tease or encourage a scuffle. If you try to get into a wrestling match with a guy, chances are you will lose. This is NOT going to be a sport match. There is no prize for second place. Now if you get in trouble, get attacked or pass the point of no return (I don’t recommend going to either one of those places, you NEED to do everything in your power to de-escalate or just plain stay out of trouble).
In the words of Peyton Quinn's , here are five Rules about not provoking an attack that will save your life when applied. (thanks for sharing Marc). Memorize them, understand them and USE them!!!!
1) Don't insult him
2) Don't challenge him
3) Don't threaten him
4) Give him a face saving exit
5) Don't deny it is happening

But let’s say the worse happened and Murphy ruled the day. Does this mean you can’t win? Absolutely not!!! If I believed that I would not what I do. You have lots of tools you can use.
• You can run, escape. Stay calm find a way out. A battle not fought is just as good as a battle won. This is not a test of skills or a way to validate your pride. The only thing that matter is that you go home alive and in one piece, physically and mentally.
• You can use surprise. Short intense burst of power can get you a long way.
• You can use good sound biomechanics, good physic is good physic. Can’t argue with it.
• You can use gravity in your favor. Gravity is not just a good idea, it’s a law.
• In the words of a good man “you can use a tool, you are not an ape” (Thanks AGAIN Marc )

Good training is always a plus to help determine what a good course of action is. It will help you recognize a potentially dangerous situation and teach you how to stay out of it, how to de-escalate. It will show good techniques and how to properly deliver good physic into your attacker. I highly recommend seeking good training opportunities and not just assume the one book or blog you have read will turn you into superman.
Good self defense is not about fighting. Fighting is what happens when things go bad. It is about how to use your words, your body language, your attitude, your common sense.

Proper striking method

Punching someone in self defense seems to come as a normal response. Something you see every day on TV. I do not recommend doing so. Even for the trained individual, punches can go bad. You can hurt your wrist, break a finger, your hand. Subtle movement can make you miss your target and let you connect with something much harder and too much for your little hand to handle.
For those who are not trained, an incorrect punch can definitely put you in a bad position and create a serious injury.
There are other options that much safer, better and deliver as much or more power into your attacker:elbows, palm strike, knee strike….
Learn how to use those correctly and deliver enough force to be effective.