Happy New Year

I don't know what to think about New Years. It is an arbitrary day when people make resolutions. From now on I will...

On the radio they were saying that 25% of fitness resolutions fail in the first 7 days. On January 7, one of every four people who made a resolution regarding their fitness will stop.

In the black belt success cycle (kids curriculum) we say as a side note for the "set a plan" step - "and get a success coach". This is such an important part of being able to succeed. Someone to help you make your plan and hold you accountable to your promise.

There is no need to wait for a specific day to start doing something that will benefit you and the people around you. Start today! and if today is January 1, then I guess it will be your New Years resolution. :-)

I don't like holidays

Going on a holiday is fun BUT it gets me out of my routine. In theory it is supposed to be easier to do things because I should have had more time but it never works.

Being Focused

Being focused is something I struggle with. I think many people have the perception that I know what I want, that I know what I'm doing. There are so many things to do. So many things I want to do. It is paralyzing at times. Some of my work days are so hectic that at the end of the day I don't even remember what I was doing. I would love to focus on one thing.

Practicing Kung Fu has the same challenge. Should I practice forms or techniques? Should I work on my fitness or my flow? Should I help teach a class or practice by myself? In the past few years I had different strategies. For a period of time I had split the week into 5 and practice a different aspect of Kung Fu on each day. During the I Ho Chuan year I had more of a "everyday" schedule where I tried to crumb everything. There was also the time where I practice whatever we did in class for the following few days.

I'm not sure what is the best way to practice. I think that as long as you do practice, results will come. Now I need to focus again and go do some forms... or push-ups... Arrrr!!!

Music and Creativity

We are practicing for the Chinese New Years - Dragon dance, Kids demo, I Ho Chuan demo.

It is amazing to watch some of these kids. Their creativity is something to admire. It seems that the older you get the less creative you become. There must be ways to keep the creativity alive.

When I was practicing for the Tiger Challenge I wasn't planning to do musical form mainly because I didn't want to confuse my self with other forms. But then a week before (inspired by my wife and son) I decided to give it a try. I combined 4 sections from 4 different forms and picked a song I liked.

The 5 days practicing this musical form were lots of fun. I really enjoyed doing the form with the rhythm and moving with the beat. I think music improves ones creativity. I can't wait to do the same with all the other demos. It is going to be so much fun!

V.A.L.U.E

I'm currently taking part of a leadership program at work. I had different experiences in a variety of situations leading people and being led by people. The most obvious place for that was in the army. I had done many courses and got to see different types of leaders. Each had there own methods and ways to lead. Some were good and some not so good (or bad). I also had the chance at a very young age to supervise different groups of officers and soldiers. The experience was different as well. It takes two sides to make a good leader.

The workshops we take at work are emphasizing the core V.A.L.U.E in leadership. This stands for Value, Aptitude, Learning, Unity and Empathy. I find it very interesting and valuable to attend these workshops. I hope it will also make me a better leader at work and outside of work.

http://www.bhogroup.com/

Opportunities

One of the hardest things I had to overcome in Kung Fu was doing warm-ups. Even harder was leading a class (and it was a kids class). I was planning the class for days and trying to memorize what I will do every moment I'm in front of the kids. I can still remember how nervous I was. I constantly felt that the kids are testing me. I also felt that the other instructors are judging me.

Now, one of the things I enjoy most in Kung Fu is teaching the kids class. I still prepare and feel the kids are testing me but I don't get as nervous and I welcome any feedback the other instructors have to offer. I really enjoy to see the progress in the kids and in the way we run the class and to know I had a part in that. This is a great feeling of accomplishment.

My point is - we all feel nervous and scared of new situations but if we don't try, we wouldn't know what we are missing. We might even like it...

Healthier

It is so cold and so dark. I feel like I need to hibernate. Signing up to the Mud-Hero race made me feel so good. I'm starting to plan camping trips, kayaking, hiking. Just need to wait few more months and it will be summer again.

When I feel down at Kung Fu, I think of WHY. Why am I doing it. This always brings me into training mode. The reasons changed along the years but unlike the seasons, I don't need to wait for summer to enjoy the benefits of it.

One of my personal challenges this year was to become healthier. I stop drinking coke and ice-caps. I'm trying to eat better. I stopped going to fast food places. And of-course I exercise a lot. I've lost between 10-15lb (depending on the day - as our scale is not very reliable). It feels good to get back to my weight from 20 years ago...