10 Things to remember when you get unmotivated to train

Anyone who has trained in a Martial Arts long enough knows that no matter how much you may love the dojo, your Sensei, your fellow students, there are times when you feel uninspired to train. Reasons may vary for this. Everything from being at the same rank for a long time, not seeing the results you want, classes may seem too repetitious and boring, getting caught up in the drama which dojo life sometimes can have, or you are just plain lazy. When times like these happen it is easy to give up. I have seen so many people quit over the years. A rare bunch actually push through these times and achieve success with their training.

Here are some points to remember and try when you feel like giving up.

1.  Remember why you started to train in the first place. If you started old enough to remember, then this shouldn’t be too difficult. If you started as a young child and cannot remember, or your parents chose this path for you -either way try and connect to a positive feeling as to why you have continued thus far. Kick yourself in the butt and go train!

 2.  If you are a senior belt (Green belt and above) ask your Sensei if you can assist in helping with beginners or kids’ classes. Sometimes when we help and teach others we can ignite the flame within again for ourselves. Nothing feels better than helping and making a difference in a student’s life through teaching.

3.  If you having been training for a number of years and are already a senior belt, but have lost your mojo for your training, look for seminars and extra classes that can help to teach you something new. We all know that your true training starts at a black belt. Once you are a senior belt, it is your job to find things to inspire you to continue.

4.  Grab a group of martial arts friends and set up training sessions together. Of course you will need your Sensei’s permission to do so within the dojo, and a black belt present if you will be sparring. Friends make a huge difference when it comes to encouraging each other. Find ways to help each other, praise each other and work together to get over the hump of feeling unmotivated about training.

5.  If you are one of those people who have been training in as many classes as you can get in during a week, consider cutting back to 2-3 per week instead. This will lessen the pressure of having to be at the dojo every day, give you time to do other things in your life you want to do or spend time with your family and make you miss the dojo more.

6.  Try and figure out Bunkai in your katas. Having a different perspective and definition of the movements within a kata can be very exciting. Movements you have been doing for years seem brand new again. Your understanding of the hidden self defence movements in your katas teaches you a side of kata that perhaps you didn’t realize before. If you are unsure of the Bunkai to your kata, ask your Sensei or a senior belt.

7.  Take some private lessons. Perhaps you feel uninspired because you feel you are not receiving the personal attention you need in a class. Often a student becomes uninspired because they feel lost in a sea of other students. Newer students often take the focus off of the older students. Sign up for a few private lessons with your Sensei or Senior instructor. Having that one on one lesson will often give you what you need and help your training as well.

8.  Set training goals. There are so many training goals that you can set to help keep you inspired. Some of which may be: reaching a new rank or earning a new stripe, learning a new kata, or technique, competing in a tournament, becoming a junior instructor or even a Sensei yourself. There are so many things you can set as a training goal.

1. 9.  Get yourself a new uniform. Many students use the light weight uniforms which are good. However we all know how sharp the heavy weight uniforms look and they are much better. They help to make your techniques look sharp and crisp too. The feeling you get when you wear a heavy weight Gi is very different than the light weight. You feel stronger, look stronger and I know many people get re-inspired from a change as subtle as this. Trust me, they are a great investment. There are many terrific brands out there. Talk to your Sensei and they can recommend a few to you.

 10.  Stay focused. Its not about how fast you make your next belt or black belt. Its about what you learn each time you train, the perfection of your character, and the personal victories you achieve each time you train. If you have been stuck at a belt for a long while, ask your Sensei - in private of course, what it is you will need to do and or improve on to be considered for your next belt grading? If you haven’t progressed to your next belt in quite a while, there may be a reason. Are you training enough? Have you met the required time limit at your current belt? Are you struggling with the technical side of stuff ( kata, pattern etc)? Perhaps your Sensei simply forgot. These are all reasons why students do not progress onto the next belt. Speaking with your Sensei in private and respectively will be a huge help with this.

The most important thing to remember about the martial arts is that when you are a martial artist, you are a martial artist of life. Yes, achieving belts are huge part of your training. They serve as guides to see your progress. Martial arts is a life long process. Your training will change throughout the years, people will come and go, you will see and do so much if you continue along your martial arts path. Stay focused on enjoying each and every moment. Stay motivated and know that as much as you think you know there is still so much more to learn.

The last thing I will mention about this topic is this. If you feel that you have tried all ways to help inspire yourself to keep going, really in your heart of hearts gave it your all, have spent a really honest amount of time at it, and still have lost the will to keep training, then know how to end it properly. Not showing up anymore isn’t the proper way to leave your dojo. Your Sensei has spent years training you and invested much of their time in you. Give the dojo, your Sensei and yourself the proper way of leaving respectively. Go in and talk with your Sensei and explain your feelings and thoughts. You may be surprised, as often talking with your Sensei, may be enough to encourage you to keep training. At the very least thank them for all they have done for you and your training. Leaving on a positive note is key. If you change your mind down the road, find your mojo for training again, you will be welcomed back with open arms.

Martial Arts can be like a boomer rang. Just when you think you have gotten it out of your system, it pops back into your life when you least expect it. I personally have had this happen to me many times. Like a good friend, if its meant to stay in your life, you will find your way back to it.

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com

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