Setting the targets

Looking ahead into the new year raises the bar of  actually how far I need to be in my training to accomplish earning a black belt. I feel in a lot of ways I set myself back farther than I actually thought. Not so good if this is going to be the year I take the challenge of grading. I learnt much from the mistakes I made last year, which should make things a lot better to plan and organize a routine for this term. As sceptical as I may seem at this moment in time only installs the determination to succeed and fulfil my goal to get to the next level of training. It was mentioned at the meeting that a person shouldn't put the accomplishment of black belt as a triumph to the top but look at it as another plateau or another turn in your path to wherever it is you envision as your destiny. I have always looked at it this way and I do see where I want to be. I know in my heart and in my future vision I can accomplish this with a few added things to keep the mindset where it should be. First step is to journal absolutely everything I can for reference purposes and focus. When I was journaling regularly last year the inspiration to go above and beyond came to be an installed motivator, it does really work if you stick to it. I'm not going to get wrapped up in the numbers like I did last year, it just installs stress and brings you down if you let it. This challenge is designed to be fun and hone you and your multitude of skills to a perfectly polished and sharp machine. Don't get wrapped up in the numbers. Stick to the plan and see through the requirement for what it really is and the numbers will take care of themselves. I will mix up all the requirements again because that will take the monotony of it away. I found trying to do a bit of everything each day became way too overwhelming and took the fun out of it. I plan on completing the less time consuming requirements first and foremost, to concentrate on one thing at a time aside from remaining dedicated to the physical requirements. One thing that a person taking on this challenge should understand right off the get go is don't try to do this all on your own. I'm not really cool with reaching out to others because I have done things on my own for a long time. Last year taught me something new. You are no less of a person to ask for help or be willing to work with others to accomplish your goals. They need you just as much as you will need them. I gained a lot of help and inspiration from members of the team last year. Sifu Wetter posted a multitude of advice regarding a plan to layout a weapon form which was very helpful. Thanks again Sifu. If any one is interested in what he had to say I can forward you his post. It was an awesome tool from a Sifu that has a few weapon forms under his belt. Sifu Rybak gave us all a swift kick in the ass that we all deserved and motivated us to put our skills out there and get our first demo together. It was pretty cool witnessing the creativity that Sifu coordinated and to be part of the end result. Sifu pushed us out of our comfort zones and expected more out of us than what we may have felt was good enough. Thanks go to you too Sifu Rybak. One thing that I did was write down any piece of advice or something that stuck in my head from a team mate and wrote it in my journal and I intend to do the same this year because it helped keep the motivation up and the connection true to the team. If you are stuck on something use, kwoon talk. This is a tool that is highly neglected and it is probably one of the greater displays of how dedicated our teachers are. There are a number of black belts that check kwoon talk quite frequently. I have posted many question regarding training and have always received advice or direction within hours. Not only from one black belt, but several, which gives you many perspectives on how you can decipher and solve your problems. I have a really good feeling about this year and look forward to training and succeeding with not only my teammates, but those that I will work along side with to achieve black belt this year.
Brian Chervenka