Not quite sure exactly how to start to journal about how things have been going lately but the relevance of putting something down at this point is imperative. Over the last two months and now into the new year, it is quite full. My days start at 6 a.m. and on a good night I'm at home by 6:30. every day. But the work doesn't stop. emails, phone calls and planning and paper work continued on until ..well there goes another email notification and its now 9:30p.m. Trying to fulfill my responsibility's as a father and husband and then get some training in was tiring to say the least. So too manage, I had to sacrifice some of my training. As much as I would love to be a machine, I am not. My family will always be first and they didn't see much of me. There wasn't enough time in the day to make classes and it was too a point where I wasn't going to make it in time to pick up my daughter from her class. Before the Christmas break there were nights that I didn't get home until 9 p.m. and then back at work for 6 a.m. How are you supposed to train like that and still maintain all responsibility's. In the span of the first two hours at work one day I answered 27 phone calls, 14 emails and was in the middle of spotting a truck load of steel while delegating and running a job with 4 crews and 37 men by radio. Then came the brilliant idea of "Hey, I know, lets start a night shift, that will help everything" said one of the idiots that would be of more use as a wheel chock than anything else. Now I'm at the job until 7 p.m. to delegate and set up the night crew foreman and my own work is falling behind in a job I am new to. I think if it wasn't for Kung Fu and how much it has amplified my determination and showing me to not think of things as stress or grating but a view that all things are a challenge and this is all part of true mastery, I would have told everyone that was in my path where to go and how to get there in fine detail. For example, when a clown that has absolutely no knowledge or concept of well, anything, is asking me over and over how long will this take, after I have basically ran him through every stage of a said procedure, I probably would have responded as " Well, lets see if you pound your head up your ass and tried to roll to the city and back to the job, we'll be done in half the time it takes you to get back. Oh sorry, I see you already have your head in place, but we'll still finish long before your back." Since I have been training I don't talk like that anymore, although at times its hard not too. I have learned to deal with people and situations with a more diplomatic approach. Leaving emotions or irrational responses where they belong and viewing it as a challenge, maintaining a solid disposition and solving the problem swiftly and displaying professionalism in its finest form and setting a good example to those that work with me, working on mastery in my chosen field. This is one of the ways I have taken my Kung Fu to work. I didn't have alot of time to do many follow ups on my physical training with the exception of sneaking in push ups when I could, but worked on mastery in a combined form of my occupation and my Kung Fu. Everything I have taken on in my life I have wanted to do well and do it with integrity and pride. I can't do things half way and call it good. If I am putting my heart and soul into it then that's where my solid focus will be, and that's where my determination will be until its being done properly and is up to the standard that I have witnessed from those before me. My approach to my Kung Fu is the same and that's why, although yes damaging, I had to slow it down a bit. But what is there is concrete and will not take too long to pick up where I left off. As time goes on I am starting to get a better handle on this level of my work and its all starting to get a little more manageable. As I am learning to plan ahead more and figure out easier ways to get more things done in one shot the more I am finding time to get back into the physical end of my Kung Fu. See you at the kwoon.
Brian Chervenka
Hi Sihing,
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude of professionalism in your Kung Fu which no doubt follows you to work. I understand where you are at. I was on a similar schedule this past year and it is VERY difficult. Keep posting when you can, and of course any possible support I can offer is always on the table. Keep your positive outlook on the matter. I am going to make a point of taking notes during Sihing class when I am there and get them into your hands. It's not much, but something.
Being versatile and adaptable is key. I know you already have those qualities and I have learnt much from you this past year. If ever i can help out this coming year, please dont hesitate.
ReplyDeleteCheers
We miss you Sihing! Keep talking and letting us know how your doing--hope to see you again soon!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you have benefited form this journey towards mastery and you can see it in how you conduct yourself. It has been a pleasure watching you learn and grow this year. :)
ReplyDelete