Regardless of the endeavor, as we embark on a task we must do so with confidence if we are to maximize our potential for success. Doubt consumes vital resources in the mind that have more important things to do in the moment. It's not that healthy, well adjusted, successful people don't have doubts. In fact the more we do in life the more we might have doubts. Show me someone who hasn't made mistakes and I'll show you some one whose never tried to do anything. It is more that we learn to put doubt on hold. Save it for the after-action report whether that's the ride home, a walk in the woods, your morning shower, or talking with a confidant or mentor.
Doubt cannot share the stage with action.
In the dojo we need to learn to clear our minds of doubt before we present an offer to uke, before stepping into a practice circle, before taking the starting position of a kata. An attack and our response to it takes, on average, about 1.5 seconds. Yes, just a couple of heartbeats from the time an attack is initiated, to our recognizing it, to formulating a response, to executing a technique, and finally uke going splat. We literally have no time to service the doubt subroutine in our brains.
Doubt is strong. It's emotional. It's normal. We cannot rid ourselves of it, nor should we. But we must learn to put it on pause while we have a job to do. This a skill we need to learn and practice like any other skill. One way to do so is to channel the energy of music. Sensei would often have us sing a song while throwing. It relaxes us and can distract us from inefficient thoughts. Music can also evoke strong emotions. Who hasn't wished life had a soundtrack? So pick something evocative of confidence to play in your head as you start a throw, a stitch, a cut, or a brush stroke. Whether you Strut like Emeline, ride into battle with Orf's "O Fortuna", rock them to Queen, or get "Back in Black" with AC/DC, remember that you are the hero of your story, so make an entrance like one.
.HEIC)