The whole purpose behind a blog is surely to offload. Or influence. Or sell or gloat, I’m not sure. The purpose behind Be Bamboo blog is for me to create a place to share my voice. I don’t often use my voice in the real world; the virtual world, especially the anonymous virtual world, seems… safe. I also write better than I speak so my preference will always be to type rather than talk.
I’ve been feeling good these past few weeks, having ditched the indulgence and slothful existence of the festive season. I have big goals and aspirations for 2023 and a lot of hard work to do. Not only have I committed to a karate squad and will compete in the WUKF 2023 World Championships in July, but I have pledged my intent to strive for my Mountain Leadership qualification. Both feats, not mean. It was with trepidation that I stepped into the 1st of January knowing full well what those ambitions would require of me. No booze. Clean diet. Hard physical training, week in week out for months. Excellent mindset habits. Superb organisational skills. Unwavering focus. Deep breaths.
So far, so good. It’s only week three but I am optimistic that I’m moving in the right direction. The secret wisdom to goal setting, particularly for big goals that seem unattainable, is that they don’t just happen through wishful thinking. No amount of visualisation will make your dreams come true but visualisation with action, well that’s a truly powerful momentum. I’m well aware that what I strive to achieve will be a step by step process and I’m ready for that. In fact, weirdly, that’s the part of goal setting that I find so deeply rewarding; creating the habits necessary for success and following a slow and steady trajectory. And when success happens it’s never really the success that is the satisfying aspect; it’s the knowing and feeling that you were prepared. There is great confidence that comes from putting in the practice, and that’s my intention for the coming months. Whatever the outcome, I will know I’m capable.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned in life is the power of preparation. I don’t enjoy going into new situations, or any situation, without feeling, not necessarily ready, but certainly like I’ve thought it through. To practise until second nature kicks in is definitely my preference. I will repeat, fail, repeat, fail, repeat, fail until it becomes, repeat, repeat, repeat. I am glad to have developed that discipline. If, for instance, I have perfected a kata in my practice but on the day of performance things go awry- loss of focus, wobbly landing, a move forgotten- it is much less wounding because I can attribute that to the bad luck of tiredness/distraction. I know what I’m capable of and sometimes, well, shit happens. Usually as a result of nerves. Harry Kane just sprung to mind. I mean we all know he can hit penalties. At the end of the day his spectacular miss at the 2022 World Cup quarter finals does not mean he isn’t an excellent footballer. And it’s excellence for which I strive. To be the most excellent version of myself. To be the most excellent expression of life that I can achieve. I’m all about honouring the universe. And I seek this excellence for me, not for others. This year I face many highly intense challenges. To compete in front of hundreds of spectators, coaches and teammates, is a hugely nerve wracking experience. I also face the glare of assessment in harsh mountain conditions as expert mountain trainers monitor my ability to keep people safe, to navigate in adverse weather, to be physically competent on tough terrain. One day of preparation at a time is really the only way to arrive at these grand moments of life.
I’m up for the challenge. And the act of writing it out as I go is already helping me find clarity of thought. I feel better already.
Be Bamboo 