ProductivityRhythm
Lying Fallow
Our culture demands so much of us as producers. We demand such a rhythm of achievement. The best of us are seen to be relentless, constantly uniformly driving forward, unceasing in our progress. Yet...
Blog
Thoughts on swordplay, mastery, coaching, teaching, and living with intention.
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Uncategorized
Pursuing the Ridiculously Challenging
“Alright, the next drill is even more difficult!” I said to a chorus of groans. It’s accuracy night in line drills and I have been progressively making each drill more challenging. Each target is...
Uncategorized
Don't Get Hung Up on Perfect Practice
There is an interesting phrase pair I have been hearing from a lot of instructors recently. I hear: “Practice makes perfect." Then an admonishment: “No. Practice makes permanent. So make sure you...
Uncategorized
The Value of a Symmetrical Learning Environment
There are two primary types of martial learning environment you must spend time in over your life of acquiring an art. A symmetrical environment, where your training and sparring partners are doing...
Uncategorized
Your Intuition Isn’t Always Right
I struck the 7 ball on the spot I had marked, completely incredulous that it would go anywhere near the pocket I had called. I watched my cue ball slide toward it, the sharp crack and the 7 shot in a...
Uncategorized
Three Types of Practice
I was talking with a student of mine the other night, encouraging them to start pushing themselves toward their next rank at my school. They commented to me that they felt like they were getting...
CreativityProductivity
Who Is My Audience?
It’s me. This may seem a bit conceited, narcissistic, or narrow: When I write, I write for me. When I teach, I teach for me. I started a sword fighting school because I was passionate about...
LifeSuccess
Let Go of Regretting
I have done many things in my life that didn’t work out. I have found myself on adventures of which I had imagined fantastic and romantic ends that never came to be. Many of these adventures had...
SuccessSwordplay
Looking Like a Fool in Practice
This is one of our biggest barriers to growth. Who doesn’t fear looking like a failure in front of judging eyes? Who doesn’t see all eyes as potential judges? Even brand new students who have never...
LifeSwordplay
Why do swordplay? A part of my journey
I revisit the question “Why do swordplay?” on a regular basis. Many people ask me what my reason is for practising something that is arguably esoteric and a few centuries past its true usefulness....