Repetition of a specific exercise or technique can sometimes become quite mundane. However, it is only through repetition that we can ultimately master anything. Some have said that one needs to practice something for 10 000 hours in order to master it. This is equal to 11.4 years, without any sleep or rest, which could seem like a proverbial Everest to climb! This could quite easily demotivate anyone from even trying to master something.

When training in the Dojo, it is quite easy to get motivated by your instructors for an hour or two during training. In the Dojo we continuously repeat techniques in order to one day master them. The real test for anyone is to repeat those same techniques when you do not have anyone motivating you but yourself. Self-motivation to do something repeatedly with the ultimate goal of mastery in mind can be one of the most liberating feelings there is. Work on self-motivation and then do the “basic” things every day in order to master them. The more basic things you master, the easier the hard things become!

OSS!
Sensei Heinrich