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.