So every 3 months I review my goals and logs to see how I made out.
This one covers Oct to Dec. I didn't do too bad with the numbers, however, as I sat and thought about what I had accomplished and just before I was about to pat my self on the back I realized for all the numbers I wrote down...I did not improve!
Particularly with the spinning back kick, side heel thrust and Kempo.
I have become focused on numbers but I have forgotten the purpose. Complacency has set in and I need to change that.
If, I take the push ups for example. I can knock off 50 in a row but I guarantee the last 20 are in poor form and done as quickly as possible. This could lead to a chronic injury and gives you a false sense of accomplishment. I now analyze the whole motion in the pushup. Abs tight, plank position all the way up and down, don't let the shoulder blades peak, look slightly ahead, breathe at the end of exertion, change hand positions so all muscle groups benefit, try executing some pushups at different speeds, try targeting an inch away from the ground therefore utilizing the full length of the muscle..so on and so on.
I need to apply the same mental focus with everything I practice.
The 100 times rule is very effective in mastering whatever you choose but I need to remind myself; something practiced 100 times with sloppy technique is worst.
All this being said, I am pretty much going to redo last terms goals but this time lower the numbers and concentrate on the outcome.
Good luck to me!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Human Resources
Lately I have been exploring the idea of changing careers. Apparently I have been in the "old school" way of things for too long. I am actually finding this experience humorous.
Whatever happened to sitting down with the Boss, handing him a resume and you both talked about life and expectations.
I have now entered the world of abbreviations, online applications, practice exams and job coaches.
Abbreviations: WCPT, ACPAC, OST and my favorite GIT (general intelligence test).
Online applications: start an account, download the application, time limited and it always seems this is when your computer decides to freeze up!
Practice Exams: You can spend a small fortune at Chapters purchasing all the "How to" books and guides required to pass the endless amount of front line entrance exams.
Finally, there are people out there ,for a small fee, who can coach you at any particular aspect of the application process...personal trainers, consultants, websites etc.
Is it the sheer volume of applicants that force this type of system or is it the liability factor that drives everything and everyone to be documented in case the individual goes (sorry to use the term) "Postal" later on and the Employer cannot be held accountable because every measure was taken to ensure the employee was of sound mind.
I don't know...but so far have yet to meet the Human in Human Resources!
Whatever happened to sitting down with the Boss, handing him a resume and you both talked about life and expectations.
I have now entered the world of abbreviations, online applications, practice exams and job coaches.
Abbreviations: WCPT, ACPAC, OST and my favorite GIT (general intelligence test).
Online applications: start an account, download the application, time limited and it always seems this is when your computer decides to freeze up!
Practice Exams: You can spend a small fortune at Chapters purchasing all the "How to" books and guides required to pass the endless amount of front line entrance exams.
Finally, there are people out there ,for a small fee, who can coach you at any particular aspect of the application process...personal trainers, consultants, websites etc.
Is it the sheer volume of applicants that force this type of system or is it the liability factor that drives everything and everyone to be documented in case the individual goes (sorry to use the term) "Postal" later on and the Employer cannot be held accountable because every measure was taken to ensure the employee was of sound mind.
I don't know...but so far have yet to meet the Human in Human Resources!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Regrets
You hear the common saying "I have no regrets"
I have to be honest... I do.
I look around at the young people in the studio and I am so impressed by their goals, their focus and drive to be productive, giving individuals.
Why wasn't I this smart at their age!!
If memory serves me right, I spent too much time socializing and making bad decisions in the name of "socializing".
In my 20s I managed to accomplish a post secondary education and acquire the different levels of tickets in my trade but ...I coasted through. As an example, the first year I picked a semester to really apply myself, I did and I won a grant, WOW! I thought to myself, that wasn't so hard but then I once again found myself back in party mode! No thought of the future.
I have many more examples but I won't bore you with the details, lets just say my teenage years lasted about 7 years longer then they should have.
I feel I short changed myself in alot of areas. If I would have stayed focused on some major dreams and goals when I was younger I wouldn't be sitting here thinking about how to make up for lost time.
I read others' blogs, they focus on their goals, plans for the future and how to surround themselves with the right people and friends that will support, encourage and participate in the path they take.
That is "Brilliant" I think to myself.
If there is anything I can offer, as words of experience is ..do not be fooled into thinking time is on your side, it flys by, do not be side tracked by the wrong people( I don't mean bad people, I mean others who would rather see you spend time hangin' back like they do, you know what I mean) Watch out for the opposite sex! ...seriously, if their goals are very different then yours be careful ..love is blind, etc,, etc and other descriptions I can't print here.(that was about 4 years lost!)
Don't get me wrong, I am definitely wiser because of past experiences and this has shaped me into the person I am today, I still have time... I'm not dead yet!
finally, you should PLAY HARD but you should WORK just as HARD.
Again, why wasn't I that smart...
I have to be honest... I do.
I look around at the young people in the studio and I am so impressed by their goals, their focus and drive to be productive, giving individuals.
Why wasn't I this smart at their age!!
If memory serves me right, I spent too much time socializing and making bad decisions in the name of "socializing".
In my 20s I managed to accomplish a post secondary education and acquire the different levels of tickets in my trade but ...I coasted through. As an example, the first year I picked a semester to really apply myself, I did and I won a grant, WOW! I thought to myself, that wasn't so hard but then I once again found myself back in party mode! No thought of the future.
I have many more examples but I won't bore you with the details, lets just say my teenage years lasted about 7 years longer then they should have.
I feel I short changed myself in alot of areas. If I would have stayed focused on some major dreams and goals when I was younger I wouldn't be sitting here thinking about how to make up for lost time.
I read others' blogs, they focus on their goals, plans for the future and how to surround themselves with the right people and friends that will support, encourage and participate in the path they take.
That is "Brilliant" I think to myself.
If there is anything I can offer, as words of experience is ..do not be fooled into thinking time is on your side, it flys by, do not be side tracked by the wrong people( I don't mean bad people, I mean others who would rather see you spend time hangin' back like they do, you know what I mean) Watch out for the opposite sex! ...seriously, if their goals are very different then yours be careful ..love is blind, etc,, etc and other descriptions I can't print here.(that was about 4 years lost!)
Don't get me wrong, I am definitely wiser because of past experiences and this has shaped me into the person I am today, I still have time... I'm not dead yet!
finally, you should PLAY HARD but you should WORK just as HARD.
Again, why wasn't I that smart...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Religion...any kind of Religion
Tonight I brought my son to church. No particular reason..just because.
Just because I had a previously bad week? or I have been thinking about going back for a long time? or parental guilt? Not sure, however I am glad I did.
It is a Roman catholic church and I have always been annoyed by the catholic politics and heirarchy. Actually to the point where I quit going, much to the dismay of my parents.
What I realized is, I was using that as an excuse to not go.
I don't think any religion is perfect and since I am not committed enough to convert to Buddism I believe I must approach attending church from a different perspective.
Go with an open mind, use the time to reflect, if you don't like the sermons and stories look for the message beneath all the clutter.
This is a short blog. Going back to church was on my list of things to do. The experience was not as bad or as boring as I expected it to be, so I will go again, I think I am actually looking forward to it...but don't tell my parents!
Just because I had a previously bad week? or I have been thinking about going back for a long time? or parental guilt? Not sure, however I am glad I did.
It is a Roman catholic church and I have always been annoyed by the catholic politics and heirarchy. Actually to the point where I quit going, much to the dismay of my parents.
What I realized is, I was using that as an excuse to not go.
I don't think any religion is perfect and since I am not committed enough to convert to Buddism I believe I must approach attending church from a different perspective.
Go with an open mind, use the time to reflect, if you don't like the sermons and stories look for the message beneath all the clutter.
This is a short blog. Going back to church was on my list of things to do. The experience was not as bad or as boring as I expected it to be, so I will go again, I think I am actually looking forward to it...but don't tell my parents!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A Bad Week
It has taken me a while to write anything. I have had not such a good time as of late.
My son (3years old)seemed to get a bad flu starting last Tuesday. Went to the after hours clinic with him that night as he was unusually ill. Waited 3hours to be told "you just have to let it run its course"
So... I waited, nite after nite, no sleep for him or I (husband on nite shift). Coughing got worse, breathing got worse and I was running out of gas.
It was Saturday night when I finally had enough. He was coughing so bad he could not catch his breathe. He looked at me and asked "Mommy..when can you make me feel better?"
It took everything I had to stay composed, put him in the car and drive like a crazy person to the Stony Plain Emergency.
One hour later, we were called in to the triage rooms. Raymond was asleep from sheer exhaustion and I had tears running down may face(not from crying but from absolute lack of sleep, stress and anger).
The doctor quickly had xrays done, adminstered oxygen, an asthma treatment, eyedrops, etc,
Turns out he had phneumonia, a possible asthma attack, double pink eye and a nosethroat infection.
The doctor and nurse that helped us were fantastic..mostly becasue they listened. I appreciate they are so busy but they cannot begin to know my gratitude for the extra time they gave us.
We left in the morning and I thanked them both.
I missed work, I had not worked out in days, I was run down and felt a complete loss of control.
These blogs are meant to have a sense of hope thru struggles. I refrained from blogging because
I simply had nothing good to say. Frustration and the loss of control were overwhelming.
I am geared up to get things back on track but more importantly I feel I need to educate myself to empower myself.
I think you need to take responsibility for your own health and your familys health. We are all intelligent people that can do our homework and research. Ask questions, know what resources are out there for us. Keep yourself healthy by using basic fundamentals, such as nutrition, excersize, good hygine etc.
Do we trust the health system, education system or the political system blindly?
Coasting in anything is never a good idea, unless your on a skateboard.
Actually, I probably should have blogged earlier, just writing and venting seems to help.
My son (3years old)seemed to get a bad flu starting last Tuesday. Went to the after hours clinic with him that night as he was unusually ill. Waited 3hours to be told "you just have to let it run its course"
So... I waited, nite after nite, no sleep for him or I (husband on nite shift). Coughing got worse, breathing got worse and I was running out of gas.
It was Saturday night when I finally had enough. He was coughing so bad he could not catch his breathe. He looked at me and asked "Mommy..when can you make me feel better?"
It took everything I had to stay composed, put him in the car and drive like a crazy person to the Stony Plain Emergency.
One hour later, we were called in to the triage rooms. Raymond was asleep from sheer exhaustion and I had tears running down may face(not from crying but from absolute lack of sleep, stress and anger).
The doctor quickly had xrays done, adminstered oxygen, an asthma treatment, eyedrops, etc,
Turns out he had phneumonia, a possible asthma attack, double pink eye and a nosethroat infection.
The doctor and nurse that helped us were fantastic..mostly becasue they listened. I appreciate they are so busy but they cannot begin to know my gratitude for the extra time they gave us.
We left in the morning and I thanked them both.
I missed work, I had not worked out in days, I was run down and felt a complete loss of control.
These blogs are meant to have a sense of hope thru struggles. I refrained from blogging because
I simply had nothing good to say. Frustration and the loss of control were overwhelming.
I am geared up to get things back on track but more importantly I feel I need to educate myself to empower myself.
I think you need to take responsibility for your own health and your familys health. We are all intelligent people that can do our homework and research. Ask questions, know what resources are out there for us. Keep yourself healthy by using basic fundamentals, such as nutrition, excersize, good hygine etc.
Do we trust the health system, education system or the political system blindly?
Coasting in anything is never a good idea, unless your on a skateboard.
Actually, I probably should have blogged earlier, just writing and venting seems to help.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Battle of Balance
It seems to be a constant struggle to keep everything on your plate accounted for. So many "to dos" , projects , goals and then there is the pesky friends and family that want a piece of you as well.
Sometimes you feel like you are time managing yourself to death! Is it OK to have a time out, relax and kick back? I say not only should you but in order to keep your sanity and maintain your feverish pace you have to.
I did just that Saturday night. Mindless movie with lots of stuff blowing up, tasty beverage and popcorn(more than a fist full but less than the size of a bread box).
There was a time, the guilt the following day for wasting my time and indulging in empty calories would have driven me into a bad mood for the rest of the day. Instead of beating myself up over four hours of the weekend I now look at it as down time to recharge and more importantly if I spend my down time with family and friends its noursihment for the soul.
The trick is to recognize your down time, enjoy it but also know when its time to get back to work, lifes work. Its not so hard and daunting to go full throttle at 110% when you know this weekend you have a little "me" time to look forward to.
However you decide to spend your time to recharge the important thing is to make sure you fit it in on a regular basis. We all have those projects that come up and require our undivided attention for a period of time. It should be just that, however, a reasonable period of time, if not ...Burn out is just around the corner.
Like the saying goes "Everything in moderation, including moderation".
Sometimes you feel like you are time managing yourself to death! Is it OK to have a time out, relax and kick back? I say not only should you but in order to keep your sanity and maintain your feverish pace you have to.
I did just that Saturday night. Mindless movie with lots of stuff blowing up, tasty beverage and popcorn(more than a fist full but less than the size of a bread box).
There was a time, the guilt the following day for wasting my time and indulging in empty calories would have driven me into a bad mood for the rest of the day. Instead of beating myself up over four hours of the weekend I now look at it as down time to recharge and more importantly if I spend my down time with family and friends its noursihment for the soul.
The trick is to recognize your down time, enjoy it but also know when its time to get back to work, lifes work. Its not so hard and daunting to go full throttle at 110% when you know this weekend you have a little "me" time to look forward to.
However you decide to spend your time to recharge the important thing is to make sure you fit it in on a regular basis. We all have those projects that come up and require our undivided attention for a period of time. It should be just that, however, a reasonable period of time, if not ...Burn out is just around the corner.
Like the saying goes "Everything in moderation, including moderation".
Gossip Management 101
My pet peeve as of late is to watch out for gossip. Not just in other people but with myself as well. For some reason it has become very apparent around me.
It seems to creep up and before you know it, in an unsuspecting manner you find yourself in the middle of it.
Lets face it, its a multi million dollar industry. Turn the TV on and all the "drama " shows are based on people gossiping about one another causing crisis. Walk into the grocery store, the newspaper racks are full of tabloid papers and high end magazines that like to pass them selves off as informative reading. The internet posts and blogs can influence a company stock just by starting a rumor, etc. etc.
Seems something so trivial can become so harmful.
Maybe its my age, but I 'm tired of it. So what can you do about it. The obvious answer is not to partake but I think a person has to start to recognize when a normal conversation turns into a gossip session. So step one is to Recognize.
Once you realize the conversation is no longer constructive change the course its heading in. If you are merely a bystander and do nothing I would have to say you are guilty by association. Change that, speak up.
So step two is to React. (hmmm...where have I heard this before?)
I'm not sure why we gossip. Is it a way of boosting our Ego by criticizing someone else so we don't feel as bad about our own short comings? A method of gaining an advantage on a peer or colleague in an underhanded way?
Whatever the reason, just like we all would benefit from an Anger Management course so too in my opinion, we would benefit from a Gossip Management course. Is there such a thing?
"Great minds get together and discuss ideas, Average minds get together and discuss events, Small minds get together and discuss other people."
Author unknown
It seems to creep up and before you know it, in an unsuspecting manner you find yourself in the middle of it.
Lets face it, its a multi million dollar industry. Turn the TV on and all the "drama " shows are based on people gossiping about one another causing crisis. Walk into the grocery store, the newspaper racks are full of tabloid papers and high end magazines that like to pass them selves off as informative reading. The internet posts and blogs can influence a company stock just by starting a rumor, etc. etc.
Seems something so trivial can become so harmful.
Maybe its my age, but I 'm tired of it. So what can you do about it. The obvious answer is not to partake but I think a person has to start to recognize when a normal conversation turns into a gossip session. So step one is to Recognize.
Once you realize the conversation is no longer constructive change the course its heading in. If you are merely a bystander and do nothing I would have to say you are guilty by association. Change that, speak up.
So step two is to React. (hmmm...where have I heard this before?)
I'm not sure why we gossip. Is it a way of boosting our Ego by criticizing someone else so we don't feel as bad about our own short comings? A method of gaining an advantage on a peer or colleague in an underhanded way?
Whatever the reason, just like we all would benefit from an Anger Management course so too in my opinion, we would benefit from a Gossip Management course. Is there such a thing?
"Great minds get together and discuss ideas, Average minds get together and discuss events, Small minds get together and discuss other people."
Author unknown
San Francisco
So I spent the last few days in San Francisco. It was interesting, lots to see and of course I went to Alcatraz.
Something that stuck out,though, was the amount of homeless. It was everywhere. Not just in the toursist sections, not just in the downtown core, not just in the slum sections but everywhere.
What struck me more was the indifference. I was told you would go broke yourself if you gave every "bum" a dollar. I was also told ...."they just buy booze with it anyways". I was shocked when the tour bus driver joked about the "homeless" as one of the attractions.
I don't know...I don't think most of those people I walked by were happy sitting on the curb, no way of keeping clean, wearing the same dirty clothes or hoping it doesn't get to cold that night.
What ripped at my heart the most is when I talked to one fellow sitting on the sidewalk. I didn't talk to him long, just enough to look in his eyes and recognize he was a person who felt indifferent about other people as well. He thanked me in a low sad voice and we went our seperate ways.
I walked away grateful for what I have to go back to. It was a reminder to stay vigilant about having compassion for others and acting on that compassion.
I believe it is luck that has put me where I am today and bad luck can put me on the street just like the guy I met in San Fran. I am no different then he is.
I know that sounds like a pretty simplistic statement but it is the truth with all the if, ands, and buts trimmed away.
All for now ,
Sifu Masterson
Something that stuck out,though, was the amount of homeless. It was everywhere. Not just in the toursist sections, not just in the downtown core, not just in the slum sections but everywhere.
What struck me more was the indifference. I was told you would go broke yourself if you gave every "bum" a dollar. I was also told ...."they just buy booze with it anyways". I was shocked when the tour bus driver joked about the "homeless" as one of the attractions.
I don't know...I don't think most of those people I walked by were happy sitting on the curb, no way of keeping clean, wearing the same dirty clothes or hoping it doesn't get to cold that night.
What ripped at my heart the most is when I talked to one fellow sitting on the sidewalk. I didn't talk to him long, just enough to look in his eyes and recognize he was a person who felt indifferent about other people as well. He thanked me in a low sad voice and we went our seperate ways.
I walked away grateful for what I have to go back to. It was a reminder to stay vigilant about having compassion for others and acting on that compassion.
I believe it is luck that has put me where I am today and bad luck can put me on the street just like the guy I met in San Fran. I am no different then he is.
I know that sounds like a pretty simplistic statement but it is the truth with all the if, ands, and buts trimmed away.
All for now ,
Sifu Masterson
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