To Train or Not to Train? The Choice Is Yours.

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on JUL 08, 2025

To Train or Not to Train? The Choice Is Yours.

To train or not to train – do you REALLY want it, or are you just playing at it?

It amazes me when people say, “I’m going to return to training”, or, “I’m going to the gym – I need to get fit”, but never do. I really don’t know why they feel the need to tell me. Either do it or don’t.

I think it’s a psychological coping mechanism. People create a story for themselves that lets them avoid facing an uncomfortable truth.

Training at the dojo – or doing any kind of exercise – means pushing through physical and mental discomfort. The idea of doing a specific, preferred workout feels easier than actually getting off the couch and doing any workout.

The truth is, to get good at karate (or anything else), to become even halfway proficient in your techniques, drills, or kata, you have to put in the effort. That effort is what moves you along the path and develops the right mindset.

There’s discomfort in training, no way around it. Getting good means going through periods of being not-good – feeling dumb, clueless, even incompetent at times. Many people would rather avoid that, so they convince themselves they can’t do it at all.

The one thing that gets you through is a core belief in your own capability.

So if you want to get really good at something, be realistic about what it will take – and have faith in yourself.

Everyone on the planet has the exact same number of hours each day – no more, no less. It’s what we do with that time that matters. We all have different priorities, so make training a habit. That’s the simplest way to become proficient and stay the course. It’s not easy – but would you want it any other way?

When you’re willing to put your mind to truly getting good at something, the results go far beyond fun or entertainment – they can be exhilarating, inspiring and powerful.

If you can’t do it for yourself now, do it for your future self. He’ll thank you – believe me.

The mat doesn’t care what you say – only what you do.

Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo

Photo Credit: Yoshinao Nanbu (one of my teachers from way back in the 1970s)