Keith Hafner is a veteran martial arts teacher, a controversial personality, author of "Rock Solid Kids", and my good friend. He has always been a source of great wisdom. Always knowing just what to say, and how to say it, Keith has a beautiful way with plain English.
This is one of my favorite things ever written by Mr. Hafner:
"Criticism has its own agenda." That's what I wrote at the beginning of the week on our school chalkboard.
Immunity to criticism is one of the key building blocks in a successful person's life.
Too often, when a person tries to make positive changes in their life...they are shot down by neighbors, co-workers, or relatives.
Here is what you need to know: there are two types of people in the world...
Doers and Critics.
Most people are one or the other. Rarely does a person have "dual membership" in these groups.
Why? Because critics criticize instead of doing anything constructive in their own lives. Being critical of others serves as a substitute (a very poor one) for positive, constructive action.
And -- Doers are seldom critics. They are too busy focusing on their own goals!
If you are a Doer...NEVER, ever worry about what the Critics are saying! Their vote, their opinion of what you are doing, simply doesn't count!
I'm reminded of this quote by Theodore Roosevelt...
"It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Four Stages of Learning
Practicing Martial Arts makes it easy to understand the four stages of learning that apply in any endeavor. They are as follows,
I. Unconscious Incompetence.
You have absolutely no idea what's going. You flail around, you think it's right, but you aren't sure. At this stage of learning you are just trying to figure out which way the pants go, and think someone gave you a belt that is six sizes too big.
II. Conscious Incompetence.
This is the phase where your realize something is different between you and the teacher. You start recognizing what you need to do - but can not make your body do it. The fun part of this stage is that you set goals for improvement.
III. Conscious Competence.
Stage three is where, if you really think about each facet of a technique you can actually get it right. It's the stage where, with a lot of forethought and careful execution you can begin to mirror your teacher.
IV. Unconscious Competence.
This is what I would call the black belt phase - it's where you can perform movements, execute blocks, strikes and movements on instinct. No thought, just action and reaction. A 1st degree black belt should have their basic techniques built into an unconscious competence.
This is why we so often say that training really begins at the black belt. The basics are not just known, but have become a part of you. It's a foundation on which you can build a martial artist of true strength and skill.
Your challenge as a martial artist is to recognize which stage your individual techniques are in. Moreover, your challenge is to figure out what other areas in life the four stages of learning apply.
I. Unconscious Incompetence.
You have absolutely no idea what's going. You flail around, you think it's right, but you aren't sure. At this stage of learning you are just trying to figure out which way the pants go, and think someone gave you a belt that is six sizes too big.
II. Conscious Incompetence.
This is the phase where your realize something is different between you and the teacher. You start recognizing what you need to do - but can not make your body do it. The fun part of this stage is that you set goals for improvement.
III. Conscious Competence.
Stage three is where, if you really think about each facet of a technique you can actually get it right. It's the stage where, with a lot of forethought and careful execution you can begin to mirror your teacher.
IV. Unconscious Competence.
This is what I would call the black belt phase - it's where you can perform movements, execute blocks, strikes and movements on instinct. No thought, just action and reaction. A 1st degree black belt should have their basic techniques built into an unconscious competence.
This is why we so often say that training really begins at the black belt. The basics are not just known, but have become a part of you. It's a foundation on which you can build a martial artist of true strength and skill.
Your challenge as a martial artist is to recognize which stage your individual techniques are in. Moreover, your challenge is to figure out what other areas in life the four stages of learning apply.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Where does a Martial Artist eat in the Northville area?
I've wanted to do a blog entry about one of my favorite subjects for a long time. It's not, I'll warn you, in any way a martial arts related post... but it is Northville related. The subject?
Food.
Jess and I love sampling the fare at as many restaurants as possible. I'm always on the lookout for something new, so I thought I'd share my favorite places with you all in hope that you would do the same.
Most Frequented:
Sushi House, 9 Mile and Farmington Rd. - Farmington, Mi. Not that far away at all, quite honestly the best sushi I have had in the Midwest. Better than 99% on the coasts too. They also have a handful of Japanese and Korean dishes on the menu for the non-sushi person in your family.
Best Place to Celebrate:
Flemings, off of Haggerty Rd. behind Bravo/Cladaugh/Mitchell's fish market. If you want to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or big promotion this is the place to do it. It's mostly a steak house, so veggie-lovers be warned. Great Martinis. This is one of the best restaurants I've been to anywhere.
Best Pizza:
Benitos. They have locations in both Northville and Novi. Benitos has some absolutely wonderful “gourmet” selections. I believe they make their own sauce and cheese daily, and then use all very fresh and high quality ingredients. My favorite? The Portobello - fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, Italian parsley, white wine sauce.
Best Asian Specialty:
Shiro, 9 mile in Novi. This place is a great all around restaurant. It's expensive, but not as expensive as Flemings. They do “Japanese with a French flair”. I know it sounds weird, but I had a teriyaki filet mignon, and it was excellent. They also have sushi that is very good, and an impressive menu. Very good service and drink from the bar.
Other Local Places of interest:
Claddaugh, Livonia Michigan. Best fish and chips around.
Bonefish, Novi Michigan. Best fish in general.
Number VI chophouse, Novi Michigan. Best seafood, and second only to Flemings for steak.
Steve and Rocky's, Novi Michigan. Best desert.
J. Alexander's. Best place to bring a large group of people for a “nice” dinner. Good variety, good food, reasonably priced and excellent service.
Diamond Jim Brady's Bistro, Novi Michigan. Best burgers.
Green Cedar, Livonia Michigan. Excellent Lebanese food, and a good place to eat healthy.
Maisano's Italian Restaurant, Novi Michigan. Best Italian.
Box Bar, Plymouth Michigan. Best beer selection. (All things in moderation. :) )
Please add to this list!
Food.
Jess and I love sampling the fare at as many restaurants as possible. I'm always on the lookout for something new, so I thought I'd share my favorite places with you all in hope that you would do the same.
Most Frequented:
Sushi House, 9 Mile and Farmington Rd. - Farmington, Mi. Not that far away at all, quite honestly the best sushi I have had in the Midwest. Better than 99% on the coasts too. They also have a handful of Japanese and Korean dishes on the menu for the non-sushi person in your family.
Best Place to Celebrate:
Flemings, off of Haggerty Rd. behind Bravo/Cladaugh/Mitchell's fish market. If you want to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or big promotion this is the place to do it. It's mostly a steak house, so veggie-lovers be warned. Great Martinis. This is one of the best restaurants I've been to anywhere.
Best Pizza:
Benitos. They have locations in both Northville and Novi. Benitos has some absolutely wonderful “gourmet” selections. I believe they make their own sauce and cheese daily, and then use all very fresh and high quality ingredients. My favorite? The Portobello - fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, Italian parsley, white wine sauce.
Best Asian Specialty:
Shiro, 9 mile in Novi. This place is a great all around restaurant. It's expensive, but not as expensive as Flemings. They do “Japanese with a French flair”. I know it sounds weird, but I had a teriyaki filet mignon, and it was excellent. They also have sushi that is very good, and an impressive menu. Very good service and drink from the bar.
Other Local Places of interest:
Claddaugh, Livonia Michigan. Best fish and chips around.
Bonefish, Novi Michigan. Best fish in general.
Number VI chophouse, Novi Michigan. Best seafood, and second only to Flemings for steak.
Steve and Rocky's, Novi Michigan. Best desert.
J. Alexander's. Best place to bring a large group of people for a “nice” dinner. Good variety, good food, reasonably priced and excellent service.
Diamond Jim Brady's Bistro, Novi Michigan. Best burgers.
Green Cedar, Livonia Michigan. Excellent Lebanese food, and a good place to eat healthy.
Maisano's Italian Restaurant, Novi Michigan. Best Italian.
Box Bar, Plymouth Michigan. Best beer selection. (All things in moderation. :) )
Please add to this list!
Friday, June 19, 2009
5 Ways to Learn Faster
You might find it surprising to know that I am not now, nor have I ever been, a naturally gifted martial artist. In fact, the opposite is probably true. Woe was the poor teacher who gave me my "introductory" lessons. A solid hour of working on a single stance and a single step can drive even the most patient of people to the brink - particularly when the student is still confused at the end.
To this day, in classes with my peers, I am among the most bewildered. I rarely seem to "get it" right away, and consequently spend the first class on a new subject frustrating my poor teacher. (Some things never change.) However, I can say with confidence that I am usually at the front of the pack by the end of two or three classes - and as evidenced by various medals, degrees and well performed techniques, I eventually "get it" better than most.
What's my secret?
I practice more. Or, better said, I leverage small bits of time to create big improvements in my practice. Here are some ideas:
1) Visualize. I'm always thinking about my techniques. In the shower, before I go to sleep, driving in my car, spacing out at my desk... I use what I like to call "focused daydreaming." What do I visualize?
a. My teacher doing the technique.
b. Me doing the technique piece by piece, at first incorrectly and then getting better until I'm doing it perfectly.
c. Me using the technique while sparring.
d. Me using the technique while defending myself.
e. Someone else correctly performing the technique on me.
2) Practice in class. I'm always surprised to see students standing around during a class. If you are waiting in line for your turn at the target, don't talk to the person next to you, practice the technique.
3) If the teacher is talking, I'm listening. I do this two ways - one, if the teacher is explaining something I never interrupt to ask a question, or add my own understanding. I just keep my trap shut, and look for any new little gem of information that might improve me. Two, I eavesdrop when other students are asking questions and the teacher is explaining things to them. Many times I learn something about my problem, by listening to someone else solve their problem.
4) I practice my weakest techniques first.
5) Mindful practice. I never perform an action without thought. I am always trying to think about every little detail of what I'm doing - to put each toe in right place, to be careful where I'm looking, where is my balance etc. I am hunting for anything that might need improvement, and once weakness is found I attack it.
To this day, in classes with my peers, I am among the most bewildered. I rarely seem to "get it" right away, and consequently spend the first class on a new subject frustrating my poor teacher. (Some things never change.) However, I can say with confidence that I am usually at the front of the pack by the end of two or three classes - and as evidenced by various medals, degrees and well performed techniques, I eventually "get it" better than most.
What's my secret?
I practice more. Or, better said, I leverage small bits of time to create big improvements in my practice. Here are some ideas:
1) Visualize. I'm always thinking about my techniques. In the shower, before I go to sleep, driving in my car, spacing out at my desk... I use what I like to call "focused daydreaming." What do I visualize?
a. My teacher doing the technique.
b. Me doing the technique piece by piece, at first incorrectly and then getting better until I'm doing it perfectly.
c. Me using the technique while sparring.
d. Me using the technique while defending myself.
e. Someone else correctly performing the technique on me.
2) Practice in class. I'm always surprised to see students standing around during a class. If you are waiting in line for your turn at the target, don't talk to the person next to you, practice the technique.
3) If the teacher is talking, I'm listening. I do this two ways - one, if the teacher is explaining something I never interrupt to ask a question, or add my own understanding. I just keep my trap shut, and look for any new little gem of information that might improve me. Two, I eavesdrop when other students are asking questions and the teacher is explaining things to them. Many times I learn something about my problem, by listening to someone else solve their problem.
4) I practice my weakest techniques first.
5) Mindful practice. I never perform an action without thought. I am always trying to think about every little detail of what I'm doing - to put each toe in right place, to be careful where I'm looking, where is my balance etc. I am hunting for anything that might need improvement, and once weakness is found I attack it.
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