Continuous Improvement: Lessons from Martial Arts

I participated in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition last weekend, and upon reflection, noted some interesting parallels between success in martial arts and professional success.  They are both disciplines that require continuous improvement, to always better yourself and to progress.  Here’s my thoughts on the three critical success factors for continuous improvement.

1. COURAGE - I’m not going to lie, I still get nervous before the matches. I’m about to go head to head with someone who wants to crush me and the ‘fight or flight’ triggers goes off in my head. My name is called, what do I do?  Breathe, and walk onto the mat…  Shake hands… Get into fighting position… Go to the first move of my game plan… Go to the second move… and so on, and so on. Overcome your fears by just getting on with it, courage can actually follow behaviour and the result of action.  Just take that first step; you will feel a little braver.  And the next.  And the next after that.  Every step you take will build your confidence and courage.

2. CONVICTION - “will it” to happen. Winning or losing, I had to will myself to achieve a positive outcome all of the time.  It’s more than just an overarching “intent”, it’s believing with every fibre of your being that each action is going to happen the way you want it to. In the fight, I needed to be fully committed to achieving individual actions and not giving in. It’s the only way to achieve an outcome as the other guy is doing the exact opposite to me.   So be absolutely clear on the outcome you want, and focus on achieving that result.  Like it or not, you’re in the currents of other people’s influence, and this will take you elsewhere, if you don’t have 100% conviction.  And if it’s not going your way…

3. CHANGE - have the confidence to adapt.  At one point during my match, my opponent was slipping out of my grip.  I heard my coach yell, “You’ve lost the guard, let it go!”  Fortunately, I heeded his advice and changed tactics, ending up in a more advantageous position, which led to winning the match.   Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do; as circumstances change, what was a right move, can become the wrong move.  Constantly evaluate situations and adapt.  Be proactively reactive; that is, react well to circumstances beyond your control as they arise.

I won one and lost three of the matches.  That’s life. What’s important was what I learnt about myself and to focus on becoming better for the next time.

Be courageous, have conviction and change as appropriate.  Become better than you were yesterday.