I was just watching an interview with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach on aspects of training. He says that he finds it horrible when he goes to other boxing gyms just to see people throwing K.O. punches at each other. He makes it a point to say that the gym is a place to work on things you're NOT good at since the things you are good at, you've already learned [absorbed].
I like to use the word "absorb" rather than "learn" as "absorb" is mostly synonymous with immersing something dry into a liquid and brings up connotations to temporary fluidity. Something typically dry doesn't stay soaked - those things will lose fluids and revert back to it's dry state the longer that object is out of contact with liquids.
Proper training is a precision process whereby a person immerses them self completely in the moment and that activity rewards them with an absorbing effect- the moves will stay long after the training is done. I’m hoping it will stay at least 3 weeks. If you're not in the proper state, you can go through months of training and really never be the better for it. That's because there was no soaking effect going on - no real immersion in the moment took place.
Elements that prevent that absorption process from occurring usually stem from the ego.
Ignorance - I don't know what I'm doing as I have never done it before in my life. I’ll look like a fool.
True. So now is the time to get acquainted with new skills. Absorb the moves – the mechanics and the time to use them.
Frustration - I can't do this the way other people do it. I'm not getting this right.
True. Ignorance usually precedes frustration. But now is not the time to allow ignorance to fuel frustration. Now is the time to buckle up and get through it. It’s only 5 minutes of your life. Remain Calm. Think about it later when you're in bed or taking a shower - not when someone is throwing punches at your face.
Measurement - I don't think I'm doing as well as I should be doing.
True. So you're not meeting your expectations. What could possibly be worse? I think the two worst things you could do is either quit before you ramp up a level or change your training regimen.
Let go of trying to understand "it" – allow yourself the freedom to soak “it” in.
Soaking in “it” as opposed to understanding “it” is like the difference between Person A and Person B who both live in Saipan and Person C who is on island for vacation. Let’s say Person A, Person B and Person C are all shopping in Joeten Garapan. Person C is looking as lost and bewildered as expected since Person C is just a visitor. Now Person A and Person B are also shopping at the same store, but Person A appears casually going about a normal routine while Person B is looking as lost and as awkward as Person C. Truth is, you can go through your whole life repeating routines like shopping and still appear completely clueless every single time you do them. Sure Person B and Person C could have reasonable excuses – it’s my first time shopping for that particular item, my spouse gave me a list of things to get, I don’t know where to find things around the store as they move things around a lot, etc. But Person B and Person C should feel as about as casual and as calm Person A. Why? Because shopping is shopping. If you’re lost, look for signs above the aisles to guide you or look at the whole store in general to get a quick read of how the store is separated (perishable groceries to the far left, canned goods next to that, tourist stuff in the center, etc.).
If after you’ve exhausted all your powers of induction searching for things, then ask for help from someone who works there.
Your mind has to be the integral part in breaking down elements of training into simpler things. Your mind is your primary resource, your first “goto” line of programming.
If ThereIsNull;
Goto MindSet();
You don’t have to feel like a tourist. Stay calm and trust your mind to get you through it.
Absorb "it" by doing "it". Yes you will do it poorly, but if you do "it" unfettered by self-conscious awareness of ignorance, frustration, and measurement you will at least be doing it as honestly as you possibly can – and that’s what is means to do your best.
So remember, in order to stay in the moment, you have to put everything into it... Only Always!
