So today at the martial arts class I have been attending for the last year or so, the instructor talked a little bit about mindset. He was specifically talking about how he believes folks that spend a lot of time in various grappling arts (BJJ, Wrestling, Judo, etc) gain a toughness and determination from that experience not matched in most other pursuits. He was specific about grappling because of the pressure and the discomfort that comes from it. He also hinted at the idea that this determination and fortitude would likely carry through to other areas of life.
Later that night, I had a more experienced member of the academy on top of me attempting to choke me with my own gi. I had my chin down and it ended up wrapped around my face. So I had my head smashed to the mat under his elbow or forearm and a good deal of his weight on my head, my clothing wrapped tightly and uncomfortably around my face, and pretty much unable to get up or advance my position (I really think I was close to recovering guard, but... Maybe not). This went on for 30 seconds or a minute before I was saved by the bell. In that time I took a moment to reflect on what my coach had been saying earlier in class.
Would I have reacted differently a year go when I first started? Somewhat I think. I would not have been as comfortable in the position. I would not have recognized that I was not in immediate danger, despite the poor position and the discomfort. I would have been a bit more frantic and probably done something to give up what little defense I had and been choked. But is this calmer approach due to some toughness or better mindset I've gained? Or is it specifically more grappling experience being applied to the specific problems related to the experience? I guess what I'm asking is, does it really carry over to other areas?
The situation and the talk from our coach also reminded me of something Shay said at one of the Mindset Lab courses I attended. (I'll attempt to paraphrase and probably mess it up, but this is the best of my recollection.) Basically he said that one way to develop a tougher mindset was to do stuff that's hard and decide not to quit. That experience and repetition not quitting will lead to a no-quit attitude. Essentially that not giving up is a skill that can actually be practiced. (Okay, the last two sentences are mine. Italics is what I remember of what he actually said.)
So, the questions for the board: Can mindset and fortitude in the face of adversity be developed? If so, do you do anything you feel increases your resilience to pressure and discomfort, to giving up and quitting? If you do, what is it? How do you feel it's developed your "fighting mindset"? Could be anything. I just used martial arts as an example because that's where I was getting my head smashed today. Tell me about yours.
Later that night, I had a more experienced member of the academy on top of me attempting to choke me with my own gi. I had my chin down and it ended up wrapped around my face. So I had my head smashed to the mat under his elbow or forearm and a good deal of his weight on my head, my clothing wrapped tightly and uncomfortably around my face, and pretty much unable to get up or advance my position (I really think I was close to recovering guard, but... Maybe not). This went on for 30 seconds or a minute before I was saved by the bell. In that time I took a moment to reflect on what my coach had been saying earlier in class.
Would I have reacted differently a year go when I first started? Somewhat I think. I would not have been as comfortable in the position. I would not have recognized that I was not in immediate danger, despite the poor position and the discomfort. I would have been a bit more frantic and probably done something to give up what little defense I had and been choked. But is this calmer approach due to some toughness or better mindset I've gained? Or is it specifically more grappling experience being applied to the specific problems related to the experience? I guess what I'm asking is, does it really carry over to other areas?
The situation and the talk from our coach also reminded me of something Shay said at one of the Mindset Lab courses I attended. (I'll attempt to paraphrase and probably mess it up, but this is the best of my recollection.) Basically he said that one way to develop a tougher mindset was to do stuff that's hard and decide not to quit. That experience and repetition not quitting will lead to a no-quit attitude. Essentially that not giving up is a skill that can actually be practiced. (Okay, the last two sentences are mine. Italics is what I remember of what he actually said.)
So, the questions for the board: Can mindset and fortitude in the face of adversity be developed? If so, do you do anything you feel increases your resilience to pressure and discomfort, to giving up and quitting? If you do, what is it? How do you feel it's developed your "fighting mindset"? Could be anything. I just used martial arts as an example because that's where I was getting my head smashed today. Tell me about yours.
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