The only way to go from average martial artists to outstanding is to train more. You may be limited in how many classes you can attend on a weekly basis or how many seminars you can attend on a monthly basis, but you are not limited in how much solo training you can do on a day to day basis. The key to greatness lies in solo training. This is how you build yourself up to mastery. Step by step, session by session, day by day. There is no other way.
That being said, I humbly offer the following 4 suggestions on how to train more every day.
1) Awareness, Awareness, Awareness
Keep your eyes, ears, and senses open to your surroundings. Make it a habit to not allow anyone to sneak up on you or surprise you. Make a game out of knowing where people around you are, even if you can’t “see” them.
2) Don’t Just Walk, Ninja Walk!
Take the opportunity no matter where you are to practice your balance, footwork, and movement skills. This doesn’t mean you have to stalk your boss in the company restroom – unless you want to get fired! But when you move, whether it’s in the office, walking down the street, in the grocery store, or out in the woods, pay attention to your balance, body control, and coordination. Raise and lower each foot purposefully. Do not let your walking be “controlled falling”.
3) Mini Training Sessions
All of us seem to think that if we can’t dedicate a solid hour or so to solo training than we just don’t have the time to do it. My solution for you is this – train in 5 minute increments. No matter who you are and what type of work you do, you have 5 minutes to spare during your day. If you look for it, you probably have many blocks of 5 minute increments during your day. Don’t waste them! Use them to train. In 5 minutes you can practice all the Sanshin No Kata 5 times each side. In 5 minutes you can do 100 push-ups (maybe!). In 5 minutes you can practice ukemi. In 5 minutes you can do a flow drill. Be creative, figure it out! All those mini blocks of 5 minute training sessions add up to huge amounts of time over a week, month, year, and decade. You’re in this for the long haul, aren’t you?
4) Set a Goal
Figure out what your own personal training goals are and write them down. Give yourself a deadline to achieve them. Add actions steps to help you reach each one. Develop a plan of attack and hold yourself accountable. Need help developing a plan? Ask me. I can help you. It’s what I do.