Mixed Martial Arts – The Success Mindset

Question, Are you right minded or wrong minded? I want to talk about something that is absolutely vital for success in Martial Arts or anything else you have to work for in Life. I’m talking about the Right Mindset. Now, I’m not going to give you a long email to read or a long list of things to do. Rather, I want to share with you a one simple thing that you can add to your training that will have a very profound impact on your progress.

Whether you are aware of it or not, the proper mindset can make a huge difference on how well you practice. We all know that when entering into a competition, we have to get into the right mentality and focus on a positive outcome, but few of us use this exercise during practice and sparring.

Here’s what I would like for you to do. Develop a Positive Statement for each major aspect of the style or styles you practice. For example, if you are a grappler and you find yourself on top trying to pass someone’s guard you might have a positive statement for passing the guard. Something like, “I am a master at passing the guard. No matter who I fight, white belt or black belt, when I’m on top, I will pass your guard and then I will get the submission” You can also do this from bad positions like bottom mount. Try saying in your head “I love it when someone gets the mount on me because I know I’m going to escape, not even Roger Gracie can hold down me here”.

For striking you can do the same thing. Let’s suppose that you are just terrible at throwing leg kicks. Reassure yourself that you are always progressing; “I am an incredible kick boxer. My kicks are the best part of my game and they’re only getting better. Look out Anderson Silva” (notice too, how the positive statements are all positive. “I will not lose” is a negative statement. “I will win” is positive. There’s a big difference).

I know this sounds silly, but I promise you this works. It doesn’t matter if you can really escape from Roger Gracie’s mount or knock out Anderson Silva, the point is that when you lead your mind in the direction of the desired outcome you are more likely to achieve that outcome. Trust me on this one, this is what the pro’s do and it will also help you achieve faster results if you just do it. Now get to it.

Professor Travis Tooke

Team Tooke Houston Mixed Martial Arts

What are your Martial Arts goals?

When you come to practice you should always have a goal in mind, one whose outcome will result in you walking out of the gym better than you were before. And guess what? Just showing up is NOT enough. You must have the proper mind set and be prepared to put forth the right effort, physically and mentally to accomplish this feat. You must be solution focused. When a problem arises, don’t focus on all of the reasons you can’t do something, but look for the solution. The number one reason people fail with anything, martial arts or otherwise, are they make excuses and refuse to accept responsibility for their goals. We are all guilty of this but we can all get past it as well. Take full responsibility for your success and don’t let anything or anyone get in the way or your clearly defined goals. WRITE them down, READ them out loud and MAKE THEM HAPPEN!

Houston Martial Arts – Team Tooke MMA

What do I need to do to reach the next level in my training?

I am often asked “Coach, what do I need to do to reach the next level in my training?” Usually this question is related to competition goals, conditioning goals, advancing in belt level, and so on. I almost always answer the same way.

If you do what the average person does, you will get the average results. The average person does just the minimum required to achieve a mere fraction of their desired goal. Now, if I am describing you I promise that I mean no harm. I realize that life is full of priorities that require Martial Arts training to take a back seat to and I’m certainly not criticizing anyone who puts their family/business/priority goals first. In fact, you would be wrong not too. I am writing in response to those of you who feel stuck but really want to, and have the time and desire to take a big step forward in your Martial Arts progress. I also think the advice here can be used for ANYTHING you choose to succeed in. Just fill in the blank. So here’s what I believe.

If you want to reach the “next level” in your martial arts training you should do everything you are currently doing (coming to class, sparring, competing, cardio) and then do 20% more. All the best athletes work harder than everyone else. They come to class earlier to get in more drills. They stay later to drill more. They do more cardio training than the rest. They study the game more than the rest. They all do what everyone else does plus 20% more. I know it sounds simple but the truth is that there really are no big secrets. I love the quote “hard work will always beat talent when talent refuses to work hard”. This is so, so true. What you need is the right school, the right training partners, the right coaches, the right mindset and you need to work harder than the rest. When you start doing this, something magic happens. You cut your learning curve in half and you start seeing results faster than ever before.

As you do this you will likely encounter some negative feedback or criticism. Some people don’t like the idea of their friends or family members doing something Big and Bold or even different. I had friends that used to tell me that I was crazy for wasting all my time training Jiu Jitsu throughout high school. “You’re missing out on all the parties and fun.”(and probably alcohol poisoning, too). In the end, though you have to follow your heart and take action. Don’t talk about all the great things you could have done or would have like to have done. Make a decision, accept the good and bad that come with that decision, and take action.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes that you may have already heard but is always worth another read. See you on the mat!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt April 23, 1910 from the speech “Citizenship in a Republic.”

Could your child use a little more confidence? How about better discipline, more respect and higher goals? These are just a few of the numerous life qualities that Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts Academy will teach your child.

Kids Martial Arts – 30 Days Free

We are the only academy in The Woodlands and Spring, TX area that offers a 30 day FREE trial in Kids Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. With our free, no obligation trial you will see why our school is the best choice for your child. Give us a call to set up your free intro lesson, goal analysis and 30 day trial. Our number is 281-288-5996 and we look forward to your call. You van also visit us on the web at www.NorthHoustonMMA.com to start your free martial arts trial.