EGOS egos everywhere, don't let yours hold you back

I have recently witnessed many instances where a student’s ego is holding them back from progressing in martial arts.  Whether it was to get their next grade or push to the next level of sparring, their ego held them back from advancing.

Sparring is a classic example;  so many students become afraid, or will not spar with someone they perceive is better than they are, or might show them up.  Ego can make you avoid sparring with people with a superior skill set, however it is training with these people that you will develop strategies for improving.   Ego can mean that every time you partner up with a sparring/rolling partner you select weaker opponents, defeating them easily, but learning nothing.   When training with a lesser opponent it is wise to put yourself in a difficult position in order to find a solution, this is also where you can refine technique. If you continually dominate your training partners you are not giving them the opportunity for growth.  If we just stick to the safe zone, we do not push ourselves to the next level, we end up staying in the same well worn tracks.

Ego can make you overly aggressive and prone to implementing a poor fight plan, we saw a classic example of this with Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm.  Over aggression played right into the game plan of a counter-striker. 

 

Here’s a little test as to whether your ego is holding you back;

• do you feel anxious about how your perform? 
• are your fearful of the results?
• do you feel that everyone is looking at you and judging you?
• do you avoid losing by not participating in the first place?

If you answered yes to two of more of the above questions you need an ego reality check.

On the flip side I have also witnessed students who have a healthy disposition with their ego, progress quickly and learn from the many great teachers at the Martial Arts Academy, regardless of age, sex and code of that teacher.  These students who have let go of their ego are open to learning. They are also saying to me they are secure in who they are, mature enough to realise that being tapped out on occasion, or hit in sparring on occasion in no way devalues them as a man or a woman.  They are furthermore having fun with their martial arts because there is no anxiety about how others will be perceive them if this or that happens at training.

If you’re ready to start something new or move your martial art to the next level, then come and train at TMAA,  leave your ego at the door, and just enjoy the ego free environment and lifestyle.

And if you are worried about what other people think, here’s a thought from Jack Nicholson, “I don’t care what you think about me, because I don’t think about you at all.”

Christine  Young

TMAA Co-Founder and Instructor