Motivation, persistence, big goals and sub-goals as milestones in the process.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Motivation is a crucial factor that drives behavior and action, pushing us towards our goals and aspirations. Persistence, on the other hand, refers to the unwavering determination and steadfastness to stick to a course of action, despite any obstacles or challenges that may arise.

When setting out to achieve our goals, it is important to identify both our primary goals, which serve as the overarching motivation for our actions, and our secondary goals, which create a path of perseverance. These smaller goals serve as milestones, helping us to make steady progress towards our ultimate objectives.

Michael Jordan, once said, "Conquering small goals on the way to a significant goal is like chipping away at a block of marble until you've carved a masterpiece." This quote underscores the importance of breaking down large objectives into smaller, more manageable tasks, which help to build momentum and sustain motivation over time.

In the world of self-defense, entering with the motivation to live with a safer feeling is a strong driving force. Once you've entered this world, you cannot escape the understanding that there is a threat, and you must learn to defend yourself. This one-way path fosters perseverance, leading to progress and a deeper understanding of your physical limits and technical abilities.

Aristotle, once said, "In the face of difficulty, it is essential to mobilize our mental resources to overcome the obstacle." This quote highlights the importance of developing mental toughness and resilience, which are critical for persevering through setbacks and challenges.

Mental difficulty can come in different forms when pursuing our goals. It can stem from changes in the environment or external support, a mismatch between our perception of goal completion timeline and the actual time it takes, monotony from a long and repetitive process, or a diversion from other alluring goals. These difficulties are not uncommon for athletes and anyone in a prolonged learning journey. To surmount these obstacles, it's crucial to keep the main objective in sight and remain motivated.

"Motivation" acts as a driving force for pursuing a major goal, providing the necessary fuel for persevering through the sub-goals along the way. When faced with a mental difficulty, "persistence" serves as a reminder to look back to the initial "motivation" for strength and determination to continue moving forward. Thus, "motivation" and "persistence" work hand in hand to help us achieve our objectives.

Definitions are secondary and not central to the overall development as a trainee. As a teacher, I seek out trainees who are able to overcome mental difficulties, gathering new forces to progress and move from an enthusiastic starting point to a place where they must summon additional mental fortitude to succeed.

Learning process

Humans are a social species, and we thrive in communities where we can learn from and be inspired by those around us. We often look to alpha figures for guidance and seek to establish our own status within our community. However, one aspect of our learning process that has been lost over time is the importance of early survival skills. In our modern society, we often prioritize teaching children how to play sports or other leisure activities before teaching them how to protect themselves and navigate dangerous situations.

This is a mistake, as many animals in the wild, such as lion cubs, gorilla infants, and dog puppies, begin learning how to fight and survive at a very early age. "The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence." - Confucius

The development of proficiency in mobility skills or martial arts is a multi-faceted process that involves the interplay of learning, practice, and application. It can be conceptualized as a basic triangle, with each element supporting and reinforcing the others. Additionally, the process can also be broken down further into the specific components of technique, practice, and fight, highlighting the importance of mastering the mechanics of the skill and applying them in real-world scenarios. Proper learning begins with curiosity and frustration; the desire to find a solution to a problem one knows or fears. In the world of Krav Maga, for example, this may manifest in the form of a threat or attacker. Through experimentation and adaptation, one can overcome physical or cognitive limitations and improve their skills.

Frustration is a natural and essential component of the learning process, evident from the earliest stages of development. This is exemplified in the way a baby learns to reach out, stand up, walk, and talk in order to access objects or communicate their needs. Similarly, in the realm of martial arts, the experience of frustration during practice, sparring, and other structured training exercises can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and development. Through facing and overcoming structural failures, individuals can develop greater accuracy and proficiency in their skills.

However, martial arts that are not tested in stressful, real-world situations will not create the same level of frustration and understanding of failure, and thus will not lead to the same level of improvement and personalization for each student. As developmental psychologist Carol Dweck once said, "In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, 'Oh, I'm going to reveal my weaknesses,' they say, 'Wow, here's a chance to grow.'"

In order to be truly effective, the learning process must be organized and structured, building a patterned memory that allows for quick and accurate retrieval of solutions in high-pressure situations. It is essential to remember that learning self-defense and survival skills is not only about physical ability, but also about developing mental toughness and the ability to adapt to any situation.

"A true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do."

-John C. Maxwell

The ability to learn and recognize patterns is a crucial skill that enables individuals to identify and adapt to changing circumstances. In the context of the IKF organization, a focus on training based on protocols allows for a systematic approach to problem-solving. The protocol, as an understandable technical series, creates a framework for navigating the process of failure and solution, ultimately leading to the development of effective strategies for handling stressful situations even when initial attempts are not successful.

The learning process requires a willingness to embrace both the challenges and the opportunities that it presents. It is crucial not to shy away from learning, even in the face of failure or frustration.

Yesterday in the lecture I gave to high school students in Herzliya I talked about my learning process as a fighter and instructor, I found myself talking more about the fights I lost than the victories. Moments where frustration with myself or the system forced me to build a learning system that would prevent a repeat of the failure.

Learn, enjoy the process and don't compromise on self-criticism and frustration.

MMA and Krav Maga. Similarity and difference.

MMA and Krav Maga. Similarity and difference.

As a trainer and fighter with experience in 

various forms of combat, I've come to appreciate the unique approach of Krav Maga.

There are a lot of similar points between MMA and Krav Maga, The level of training, the level of pressure required from the trainee and the level of mental flexibility, the mental strength.

In both Krav maga and MMA we will aim to control the different dimensions of the fight. Like MMA, Krav Maga requires good understanding and skills  to deal with the three dimensions of combat: standing, clinch, and ground. 

As teachers and fighters we will aim to produce enough technical repetition that will allow our students and us to enjoy a motor memory to be helpful  in a stressful situation - "Repetition is the mother of skill." - Tony Robbins

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 ‏Repetition is a crucial aspect of training, particularly when it comes to developing muscle memory. When a movement or exercise is repeated over and over again, the neural pathways in the brain that control that movement become stronger and more ingrained. This process is known as "motor learning."

Muscle memory, also known as motor memory, is the ability of the nervous system to remember and replicate a movement that has been performed multiple times. Once a movement has been mastered through repetition, it becomes automatic and requires less conscious effort to perform.

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At the same time as learning and controlling the different dimensions of the fight, and focus on our technical level the importance of mental training in both areas is critical. 

Mental training is a crucial aspect of preparing for and dealing with stressful situations. It can help individuals develop the necessary skills and mindset to manage stress, maintain focus, and perform at their best when under pressure. 

One study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that athletes who engaged in regular mental training had a greater ability to maintain their focus, regulate their emotions, and perform at their best under pressure. The study also found that mental training helped athletes develop a more resilient mindset, which allowed them to bounce back from setbacks and perform at their best in high-stress situations.

the importance of mental training in preparing for and dealing with stressful situations, not only for athletes, but for anyone who want to improve their abilities to handle pressure in any area of life.

 However, there are some key differences that set Krav Maga apart from MMA.

One major difference is the emphasis on changing terrain. In MMA, the fight takes place in an arena or cage on a fixed and flat mat. In Krav Maga, we train to deal with the unpredictable and varied terrain of real-world self-defense situations, such as small rooms, furniture, stairwells, and cars.

Another important difference is the potential for an opponent to have an advantage over us in terms of size, skill, or weaponry. In MMA, the opponent is usually a skilled and similarly-sized fighter. In Krav Maga, we must be prepared for any situation, including facing an opponent with a weapon or a group of attackers.

Lastly, the absence of a referee in Krav Maga changes the dynamic of the fight. In a real-world self-defense situation, there is no one to start and stop the fight, and we must be prepared to deal with the element of surprise, variable aggressiveness, and a different set of values.

Despite these differences, my experience has shown me that the proper training of a Krav Maga fighter should begin with learning the basics of MMA. This includes correct range reading, stable foot movement, and techniques from the world of wrestling striking and grappling. These fundamental skills provide a solid foundation for advancing in the world of Krav Maga and achieving a higher level of proficiency.

"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision." - Muhammad Ali.

 A true construction of a correct training process on all its levels largely depends on the motivation of the student and the ability of the trainer. Repetition, mental training, reference to a changing environment and a changing threat is critical and important, according to my perception. Unfortunately, this concept is not common among many of the Krav Maga schools, and it's a shame!!!

The privilege and responsibility of being a teacher!

As the new year of 2023 begins, it is important for individuals in all professions to strive for precision in their work. However, for those in the teaching profession, this need for precision is especially crucial. As a teacher, one is not only responsible for imparting knowledge and skills to students, but also for being a role model and providing guidance. As Aristotle said, "The ultimate aim of the other arts is pleasure, but the ultimate aim of philosophy is the knowledge and contemplation of truth." Teaching is not just about sharing information but also about leading the student towards the truth and that is a great privilege.

To be a teacher is to give service, and this requires not only a deep understanding of the subject matter, but also the ability to test oneself and one's knowledge in order to give authenticity, example, and experience. This is particularly true for teachers who work with different fields, such as MMA athletes, wrestlers, and those in the military or law enforcement. The ability to make knowledge and training programs accessible to each individual project is vital for success in this role. As General George S. Patton said, "Experience taught me that in war the human factor cannot be disregarded." A teacher should be able to draw from their own experiences to provide a well-rounded education.

Experience, training, and persistence are key to being a successful teacher. Hours spent on the mat, teaching different subjects using different methods, and practicing oneself are all necessary to produce quality work. Relevant operational, competitive, and therapeutic experience cannot be bought. Degrees, certificates, are not a substitute for the real-world knowledge and experience that one can gain through hard work and dedication. As Confucius said, "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." A teacher should be humble enough to recognize their own limitations and strive to improve their understanding.

As a teacher, it is important to have a commitment to providing the most accurate solutions, and an ego that allows one to examine mistakes and adapt to different populations on the entire physical or objective spectrum. This is the real work of a teacher. Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese military strategist and author of "The Art of War," said, "The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." A good teacher should be able to guide their students towards their own understanding and not impose their own beliefs.

I despise ego in coaches or teachers, who entrench themselves in a position just to avoid real learning or research. This year, I wish to be precise and like a samurai, knowing how to give the best service from a place of modesty and a desire to teach. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Teaching is not just a job, it's a privilege and a duty to serve the future generation.