There is a traditional Japanese activity for the new year called Hatsu Geiko (The First Training). Many traditional Japanese art practitioners observe Hatsu Geiko in and outside Japan. It started in olden samurai times around the 15th century and adopted in modern times around 1885. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo started it in his headquarters dojo at that time and it has become a national custom. It is a celebration of renewal, rededication and spirit.
With this celebration, comes intentionality. What good are goals if it is not supported with a reliable system? This year my focus will be on connecting to these systems which better lines up with these thoughts:
- Improve by 1% everyday
- Plan your work. Work your plan
- Improve, not prove.
Improve by 1% everyday
The energy that is born from the new year gives us direction on wanting ourselves to be better. This is proof that we know of our own potentials and the ambition towards realizing it.
Plan your work – Work your plan
Now that we’ve established the ambition, it will fail if there is no plan. The plan itself is the system that will protect our intentions. Executing the plan will build the habits we want for ourselves for a healthier life in all aspects that the martial arts teaches us; mind, body and spirit. Below is my personal plan. It makes use of time blocks that allow the most efficient use of energy for a business owner and athlete that I can think of. I expect that the beginning will be slow progress, but that’s the point of building good habits. Momentum is the key.
Time blocks M-Th
This 12 hour work day is my typical schedule for Mondays through Thursdays. Time blocks work better for me as a business owner that still works towards better athleticism. It also is to be a practitioner alongside my students.
- Morning routine 5-8am (Self care)
- Wake the mind and body: Stretch and meditate
- Quick home tasks: Limited to 5 minutes. Deep tasks is for the weekend.
- Research & study: Deepen understanding of any topic
- Afternoon routine 9-11am (Leadership and Community)
- Teach
- Strength Training
- Mid Afternoon Routine 12-3pm (Deep work)
- Lunch
- Business development work
- Late Afternoon Routine 3-5pm (Mental and physical recovery)
- Long Break
- Evening routine 5:30-9pm (Leadership and Community)
- Teach
- 2nd Training
- Late Evening routine beginning 9pm (Rest and recovery)
- Next day prep
- Dinner
- Wind down and sleep
Improve, Not Prove
This is the ego check. Ignoring the noise can be challenging but the idea is to focus on improvement. The act of proving ties to ego and the ego can build expectations. There’s nothing wrong with ego, but the expectations is where the risk lives. The risk is in experiencing disappointment. If logic says that removing expectations will minimize disappointment, the the best thing to do for ourselves is to just focus on improving.
Let the results this year come naturally and that will be true base that supports the way of life we all are building. Remember that this method is not for the sprinter. It is for the person that plays the long game; the marathoner. I wish you the best! You can do this!
