The Mental Game

Saturday morning, I promoted to a blue belt level in Taekwon-do. Last night Kevin and I went to the Grand Master’s studio for a more intense class than our regular one. Though at one point I though I might throw up if I jumped or spun or kicked again, I kept going.

At the close of class, came a chance to break a board. I let Grand Master Hanson know I’d never broken before. First, five years ago I would have passed up the opportunity. I never would have stood in an unfamiliar studio, surrounded by people I didn’t know, in front of the highest ranked black belt in our chain. Instead, I would have quietly tiptoed off the mat and wished myself invisible.

G.M. Hanson talked me through what he wanted me to do. I turned sideways, set my guard up, stepped, and whiffed my kick just to the edge of the board. On my next try, I hit too high on the board. The third time, my heel went through the board like it wasn’t even there.

See, I’m no longer scared to fail. I’ve experienced so much rejection on my writing journey that my belief in myself is no longer altered by the external result of my efforts. (For an insightful look at what happens to a manuscript within the walls of a publishing company, click here.)

Martial arts is 90% mental. If I didn’t think I could break the board, I would not have been able to. If I think I will never be published, I never will be. If I continue to work, trust my technique will continue to grow, and take the opportunities God lays before me, I can break through anything!