The "ME" Time In Karate Classes And In Writing

NaBloPoMo Post #17

Some of the girls in Women's Karate class that I teach

I get an immense joy and satisfaction from teaching the women's program in our dojo (karate school). It's especially true when students come up to me after class to tell me that they had fun and loved learning the lesson. Better yet, the satisfaction comes when women tell me how they were exhausted, overwhelmed with work or upset about something in their personal life and almost didn't come in for class that night. But they made an effort to come and were all the more happy that they did.

That hour or two of karate training is the personal time each person in the class deserves, the "me" time that nobody can interfere with. We often advice that students leave their life problems off the mat and concentrate fully on what they're doing. The problems will be there still when they leave the mat, but for the time of the class, it's only about them. It's amazing how many people leave a little happier.

Writing should take much the same form. It should be the "me" time of the writer that nobody can take away. For that time that you're writing, whether it's half an hour, an hour or half a day, you should not be thinking about anything else. Easier said than done, but all the more satisfying when accomplished.



In our dojo during a class. That's me in front, and my co-writer and dojo sister Tina Moss on the right. I think we were still brown belts at the time.



Dojo Haunted House - part II

For details on what the Dojo Haunted House is all about, please see the post from 10/24:
Dojo Haunted House Part I
As promised, here are the pictures from construction and the actual party, which was a success once again!

Construction of the Haunted House - lots of boxes and tape



You never know what (or who) will jump out at you once you're inside. You have to bravely crawl (yes, crawl!) through the maze and hope nothing gets you. And you you have to be especially brave if you hear screams of those who go in before you.  

The Dojo Haunted House is fun for all, kids and adults, little ones and their parents (and yes, parents have been known to get scared in there, too!) Are you brave enough to enter the dark tunnels of the Dojo Haunted House?

 

Tarp goes over the whole structure





Entrance of the haunted house

 


A creepy talking head to greet those who dare enter

  



Chains at the entrance of the haunted house...darkness beyond

 


Don't get lost inside the Haunted Manor!

 

Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures inside the haunted house

because it's just too dark in there for my camera to take.

But this gives you a little idea. 



Kids get into the spirit of things


The parents were extremely impressed with how great the haunted house came out. A special thank you to all of the JSKA parents, students and staff who volunteered to help with the construction, as well as running the party! You guys are awesome!

Fake It 'Till You Make It

During the karate classes at my dojo (karate school), some of the adult classes are a mix of beginners and more advanced ranks. Sometimes groups are separated by ranks and instructors work with them on what’s appropriate for their level. Other times, lower ranks are encouraged to try to follow the more advanced ranks. During those times, you would often hear my husband (our chief sensei, or instructor) say to them “fake it ‘till you make it”. As our school has a very friendly atmosphere and everyone helps each other, sometimes it’s a lot of fun for the beginner students to do something that is more advanced, even if they haven’t been “officially” taught it yet. They also get a preview of what’s to come.

Personally, I love this phrase and have used it many times in my life to psychologically pump myself up. And it usually works like a charm. What exactly does the concept mean? It means to imitate confidence even when not feeling confident about an endeavor. The more you imitate that confidence, the more you feel like you can do it and the more success you gain in achieving the goal. As that happens, real confidence follows. In other words, act as if you’re already successful and you will be. It is also similar to the concept of smiling even if you feel sad and gloomy, and the more you force yourself to smile, the better your mood actually gets.

How can we apply the concept of “fake it ‘till you make it” to the life of a writer (or an aspiring writer)? Here are a few ways:

1)      Set up and follow a writing schedule as if you already have a contract with an agent or a publishing company. Act as if it’s your job (even if it’s your second job), set goals and deadlines. When your agent or editor is waiting for you to finish writing or editing a novel, you feel the pressure to sit down and write. If you get into the habit of consistent writing even before you get a contract, it will be easier to continue doing once you land one. It will also make you feel more like a true writer psychologically.

2)      Prioritize and make sure that your family and friends understand what that involves. Learn to say “no” if something is going to take you away from reaching your writing goals.

3)      On the opposite end of that, do not forget to set time aside to spend with your family or just rest and do other things that you love. If you don’t have a good work life balance, you will burn out fast and that will delay achieving your success.

4)      Start building your platform as an author even before you get published. Once you’re published, the basis of the platform, at least, should already be set and should be able to propel you more easily into the eye of your public/audience. Building a platform today means making connections with other writers, setting up and using your Twitter and Facebook author accounts, and maybe writing a blog.

5)      Always be kind and gracious to everyone you meet. Encourage others to pursue their goals and dreams, pay it forward. And don’t forget to be grateful.