In any practice, there’s the excitement and first rush of enthusiasm, that first toe in the water and seeing the vast potential of what lies ahead.
That’s true of music, art, chess, a sport or any other human pursuit, including Aikido.
Once you get past that first sense of engagement and awe, though, you often face the Slog, the Plateau.
That is the hundreds and thousands of hours of repetition needed to internalize basic skills. Often, it isn’t particularly fun, it doesn’t feel rewarding, it’s hard to stay motivated, sometimes it’s boring – it’s the void in which you question why you are putting so much effort into this and what you will have to show for it.
Everyone has this experience. Don’t give up.
It’s up to the student to find joy in what he or she does and to offer and draw enthusiasm from partners. The instructor’s role is to be a guide through this tough period — sometimes by encouragement, sometimes by example.
It’s important to stay fresh, make a point of learning and remembering at least one new idea in every class, to learn something from every partner no matter what level they are.
Keep Beginner’s Mind — and remember that excitement you felt as a beginner.
