You must feed your mind and heart with information that uplifts and keeps you on the “right-thinking” track, allowing you to be resourceful at all times. When you take the time to nurture your mind and heart, you will always land on your feet and make lemonade from lemons.
From teaching woman’s self-defense seminars, I’ve learned, as you may have, that many of their fears were created early in their lives. Those women were conditioned to fear men and often intimacy because of incidents of domestic violence, date rape, muggings, etc.
You were similarly conditioned when your parents told you not to talk to strangers. A fear was created, and the more you heard it, the stronger your fear grew. Fortunately, you became an accomplished martial artist and learned the techniques that both children and adults can use to deal with strangers.
Whenever you have been told that you might be too slow or not smart enough, these or any other negative criticism can create blocks that you must overcome to reach success. On the other hand, every time you achieve success, accomplish a goal or experience a winning situation, it builds a foundation for more success. Your mission in life is to rewrite negative thoughts and highlight your accomplishments.
I suggest that you identify your weaknesses and determine a method to transform then into your strengths. The old statement about immediately riding the horse that just threw you comes to mind. As a martial artist, it should be much easier for you to apply the lessons you’ve learned, so you’ll climb back on that horse and jump over all of the obstacles to your success.
Dr. Gene Landrum recently shared with me what he wrote about how Elvis Presley used his fear of performing. I want to share Dr. Landrum’s quote with you.
“Now let me tell you about fears and Elvis. Our image of Elvis was in Vegas with the sequin and the white pantsuit and the go, go, go, but Elvis was pathologically shy. Elvis, at 19, his very first time on a stage, professionally, he was on with his guitar, he was an only child, been doted on by an overprotective mom.
“He was so scared, on that stage that his left leg was uncontrollably shaking. It was shaking, and he wasn’t even aware of it, by the way. He talked about this later, and I have some quotes from a psychologist who had interviewed him.
“He comes off the break, and goes to the producer and said, “Hey, man, why are all those young girls screaming?” The producer looked at him and said, “Elvis, your leg is shaking provocatively.” He didn’t even know it. The producer said, “Don’t stop.” Of course, Elvis not only didn’t stop, but also he started shaking both legs. It’s what made him rich and famous.”
I suggest that you identify your weaknesses and determine a method to transform then into your strengths.
I’ve seen many martial artists face their performing, competition and teaching fears, and instructors fight their fears of opening a school…in a host of ways. I know of investors that know that this is the time to invest, but freeze with inaction because they are afraid, even though they know that those investors that buy today will be very wealthy in 5–7 years.
What fears are acting as obstacles to your actions and goals? What can you do to change that fear into a positive strength? These are just some of the questions you must ask yourself whenever it seems like the foundation of almost everything is cracking under you.
