Even the best athletes hit the same walls as everyone else. So why are they at the top of their game? In this article, we review some effective tips on how to overcome failure and turn it into an advantage. After all, there are no mistakes, only learning experiences.
Learn from your mistakes
Sure, the drive to win is present in all greats and legends, but they each had their own hurdles to overcome. Studies have shown that failure is a strong stimulus in helping people to learn. This can also apply in the ring or on the mat, where fear of failure may cause an athlete to shut down mentally or physically. Realizing that failing is an important part of getting better relieves anxiety and will allow a fighter to improve faster in the long run.
Be SMART
You may remember this one from school: SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Based, and that’s exactly what your goals should be. Discipline should be at the core of every martial artist, and setting SMART goals allows you to monitor your progress without being too hard on yourself. It also provides a system for which the rewards are clear, making achieving them all the more satisfying.
Learn according to your own style
The three basic categories for learning are tactile, auditory, and visual. Finding out what kind of learner you are will help you to better harness your capabilities to grasp different or abstract techniques faster. Auditory learners will benefit from having a concept explained to them, while a visual learner might watch a move performed over and over again. A tactile learner learns best by getting down and dirty with the physical aspect of the sport.
Go high-tech
With all the technology in everyone’s pocket today, it seems illogical not to use everything at your disposal to achieve your goals. Use your phone to record or stream videos of sparring, fights, or insightful talks from veterans of the sport. Write notes or draw positions and techniques to be read later. Download a workout app and track your daily progress. The possibilities of what you can do with a smartphone are virtually endless, so don’t waste them.
Are your personal hacks not on the list? Let us know in the comments section!
