I don't like getting frustrated

I can't always answer every single question that comes my way individually but I can post them on the FSD blog or include my answers in my daily e-mail blasts so everyone can benefit from the answers.

Here's a good one with an answer you won't expect.

Here goes:

"When I'm training at my dojo and I do a kick or a punch wrong over and over again I get frustrated and outta focus. How can I get back into focus and relax. (I don't like getting frustrated)"

Thanks,

K

---

Here's where a lot of people get it wrong.

Frustration is GOOD.

Just think of all the inventions and technology surrounding us today. All of it was created out of frustration.

Frustration is a great emotion. Embrace it.

Feeling frustration, anger or emotional intensity actually helps your performance and can help lead to better results.

Take legendary Tennis Player John McEnroe. Was he frustrated and emotional? He didn't let IT control him he used IT to maintain laser like focus. There are examples of this in every sport. The most emotional players are always the most successful ones.

And the same is true in business. The most emotional business person will always get more things accomplished than the one who's sleeping at the switch and never dares let out any steam.

And lastly, in Relationships.

Sometimes you love each other, sometimes you hate each other, that's totally normal.

Relationships are far more interesting and passionate when you're comfortable enough to express negative feelings without fear of losing each other in the process.

Feeling frustration? Good. That's your mind and body's way of giving you feedback. Try harder. Focus better and show yourself what you can do.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. Get to that Frustration zone in everything you do. This feedback tells you you're out of your comfort zone and growth is just around the corner.

I remember feeling that way when I first started my Neigong Training, this frustration lead me to reach high level rep counts (in the thousands), a trip to China, becoming a full-fledged disciple and being given the task to spread Neigong around the world. Not bad for a little frustration?

Challenge yourself today.

Want to do something different? Give Neigong Training a try today.

Have a Great Day?

Have a great day!

No, No, No.

Have a great year!

Again, no, no, no.

Have a great decade!

Sorry, no!

I want a great LIFE!

Whatever road you're on right now in your life, is it the right one?

Are you happy and fulfilled?

Only you can answer that question.

As a starting point I strongly believe you should first find out what you love to do (my father takes it a step further and asks what you were BORN to do) and make a living from it. This way work doesn't feel like work at all and most of your time is spent on creation and developing new products your customers can use.

I wanted to give you a heads up today about major improvements and new products being released very shortly at FSD Central.

With over 30 new titles coming to the products section I still wanted your opinion on what you would like to see covered in our extensive martial art library. Let me know which product would best help you improve your skills and I'll get right on it to produce it for you.

Thank you for taking the time to answer and sharing your thoughts.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. You don't have to be a student of FSD to answer. Many people are on my list from different backgrounds and have various goals in the martial arts and about fitness in general. Your feedback is appreciated.

Live out of Mindsight not Eyesight

"The most complete map in the world won't take you anywhere unless you know where you are."

This particular statement cannot be ignored.

Do you know where YOU are?

Without this critical information there's no chance for advancement and self-improvement.

On a weekly basis you should be tracking where you are, and daily would be the ideal.

Whether this is for fitness or business goals, knowing where you are simply makes it way clearer to know where you need to go.

I know most people know this but are you doing it?

When you hit daily goals, it creates a surge of energy and enthusiasm as well as momentum. Momentum to take you through this year and others to come.

In all areas of your life, where are you headed?

Are you drifting along haphazardly reacting to life or actively creating your destiny?

From a Martial Art standpoint, skill, strength and flexibility doesn't just happen without dedicated effort and paying close attention to what 's working and what isn't in your training.

Conversely, relationships don't last forever without romance, communication, adventure and honesty.

A business organization doesn't stay alive and thriving for over 30 years without constantly re-inventing itself, re-investing profits and finding better ways to serve their customers.

For each area of your life (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, family, and financial) put them under the microscope, think of it as research, just that the test subject is YOU.

Live your life out of Mindsight not Eyesight.

Mindsight means to live out of your imagination while Eyesight means to live out of memory. The past does not equal the future.

You are responsible for what you create, make it amazing and worthwhile!

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

Bodies Exposition Review in Montreal

During last week's March Break I had a chance to share special moments with my kids and family.

One thing that really stood out was what we did on Saturday.

This one thing, I can't get out of my head.

I mean, I've always been interested in the human body, nutrition and ways to stay happy, healthy, and vibrant.

But having a chance to actually see the human body from inside and see the effects smoking can have on your health and lungs, the fragility of the brain and nervous system, the importance of choosing wisely what you eat as well as engaging in daily exercise and the positive effects it has on your circulatory system was AMAZING.

I'm talking about the BODIES EXPOSITION in Montreal.

If someone goes through the exhibits and doesn't quit smoking on the spot and seriously starts eating right and ditching the junk food, I don't know what will.

What happens in our bodies on a daily basis is nothing short of a miracle.

The perfect balance and harmony of the various systems is mind boggling. Yet many people choose to purposely destroy the master control (i.e. the Brain) with mind altering drugs?

Or some choose to lead a sedentary lifestyle when one's body can be twisted and articulated in thousands of positions, equipped with muscles, tendons and ligaments that will adapt to loads and retain memory of those movements so they become easier with time.

Apart from the physical wonders of our body and what it can do mechanically it's interesting to note what movement can do for our mind, our energy and our emotions.

Ultimately adding Quality to your Life.

You've probably heard the saying: "The more motion you undertake the more emotion you will create"

I get my best ideas while in movement, training, or maintaining my martial art skills.

It connects me in a way that no other sport can.

This is why I urge you take up martial art training as the sport of choice, not only to get in shape but to optimize bodily function, maintain mental alertness, and stretch your imagination when it comes to what you can accomplish and create in your own life.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. Not a member yet? Get started here.

Priceless Life Lessons

Every year on March 10th I reflect on where I started and how far I've come.

Even though my father started my training at the same time I started walking.

March 10th, 1985 marks the date of my first official exam ( i.e White Sash) in my martial art training.

The first rank is always memorable as it marks the beginning of your journey, and if taught right, what you learn at this level will serve you well throughout your ascension to Black Belt and beyond.

In September 1984, my very first class, I learned an important lesson that will surely stick with me for the rest of my life.

Lately I've been getting many flashes from my childhood, like one of my past posts about the split test my dad had me do when I was 11 years old.

Have you had these happen to you?

I'm sure you have.

We all have them but I tend to focus on the ones where I learned something important or that I was successful at doing. That way, I can use it to get myself in the right state, physical and mental in the present moment when undertaking a task or project I'm working on.

These are every important for your self-image and using past successes to fuel your goals and dreams in the now as well as give you confidence knowing you can accomplish them because of those successful past experiences truly is priceless.

So what did I learn on that faithful day?

My dad had us all lined up and ready to start class.

Since I was training and watching classes way before I ever did an official one I already knew how to start the class (a very short form to get the class started that consists mostly of testing your balance and coordination) and I wasn't shy about letting the guy know in front of me that I knew it.

At that point, my father gave me the "LOOK".

That one look, with no words exchanged taught me a lesson that I would carry on in my training even to this day. I don't think any of the other 6 year olds got it but I did.

"Whatever you think you know, you don't"
"When it's time to talk, talk"
"When it's time to train, train."
"There's always something to learn if you just pay attention well enough".

That right there has served me alot in my 26 years of training. This one lesson as well as many others have been very valuable in all areas of my life.

All this to say: Use your PAST and get back to basics.

Attack everything you do with a beginner's mind. Not only will you have more fun doing what it is you do, you'll learn faster, your enthusiasm and passion will soar and you'll get a different perspective on what you think you know.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. Want to learn a new skill? Find something of interest in our Product Section.

Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Stay on Top of ...

YOU!













Every morning. During the day and before retiring at night.

Stay on top of You.

Monitor what you do, what you think and what you feel.

Approach it the same way a drill sergeant stays on top of his recruits.

Just like that classic scene in Full Metal Jacket.

Imagine if you kept such a tight control over your appetite, your level of activity during the day,
your thoughts, and your level of unwavering commitment to the goals you've set. How would you feel?

Looking at levels of obesity in North America in both children and adults, clearly, many people have failed to stay on top of themselves.

Although there's no other time than now to start taking care of your health, if you ask me and I think you'll agree, it's better not to wait until you've passed that point of no return to start doing something about it.

Have enough foresight to not wait to be diagnosed with Diabetes to start watching your sugar intake and exercising regularly. Same thing for lung cancer, avert the dreaded news by quitting the habit of smoking now, not later.

Control inflammation (the major cause of artherosclerosis) in your body by eating the right foods and supplementing with the right nutrients today instead of making it a priority later if you're lucky enough to survive a heart attack.

Listen to your body, pay attention to how you feel, make a mental check when you retire at night about the healthy choices you've made during your day, sleep peacefully and wake up with discipline to take care of your machine by staying on top of you today and every day to avoid massive pain later.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. An easy way to stay on top of you is by training smart. Our 60 second training method boasts results in record time. One less thing to think about. Get started here.

Full Split with No Warm-Ups

Back in 1989 my dad started what we called back then "Special Classes".



















These classes were reserved for advanced students and were a way to test a whole bunch of different concepts and techniques from a wide variety of martial arts systems to see if they worked.

The gamut of arts we experimented with was extensive and none of them were excluded.

There are many lessons I learned during these sessions and one that comes to mind is the one on "Having no mind".

Let me explain.

At one of these classes my father was explaining this concept and how adults will sometimes over analyze and question "why should I do this" or" why should I do that" either in their heads or to their partner.

And through this analysis, you've heard the statement: "Being caught in the paralysis of analysis" settles in.

This analysis brings self-doubt, hesitation, and fear.

At that moment, my dad put me on the spot.

I was only 11 years old at the time. Just a kid.

What my father went on to explain is when you're a child you don't question like adults do, you just DO.

No questions asked. No excuses. No negative self-talk. No procrastination.

He says: "Mart" (Everyone called me that before I was ever made a Sifu)

"Come up here"

I didn't know what the hell he was going to have me do and the class was packed with grown men staring at me.

"Do a full split to the floor, and Daniel and Christian will lift you by your feet from each side, straight in the air and hold your balance".

I had never done that before but that day I did.

My goal isn't to share this story with you so you can say: "Wow you're great!"

On the contrary, I just want you to know that you're great. You have the potential to do anything you set your mind to.

BELIEVE and it can be achieved.

Instead of finding all the reasons why you can't do something, Focus on doing the THING and with repetition you'll master the thing.

Reach the point of No Mind, have total confidence in yourself and just go for it.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. Stretching is a great mind challenge. That's why I enjoy it so much. We've compiled some of the best stretching exercises you can do to reach total flexibility and finesse on DVD. Listen as I go through other important techniques I use to acquire, maintain, and not lose your flexibility.

It's a great resource that no martial artist or athlete should be without. Get it here.

I already know that!

Zig Ziglar's answer to this all too common statement is:

"Maybe so but what have you done about it!"

Think about that.

All the things that you know but didn't act upon.

Or the things you were going to get around to doing when the kids would be all grown up or when you lose X amount of weight. Maybe it was when you were going to graduate or when you got that raise you were going to do that something you always wanted to do, but never did.

"Faith without works is dead"

No matter what you know, in the end, ACTION is the only thing that counts.

Have you ever met people who seemed to know it all?

Do you fall into that trap sometimes?

I know for me as soon as I catch myself thinking: "I already know that" I add the words: "But I want to learn more about it"

Learning is a journey not a destination that's for sure.

And the journey is much more enjoyable when you face each experience with an open mind and child like enthusiasm.

You already know you should cut sugar, avoid processed food, eliminate soft drinks and spend more time strengthening your mind and body through exercise, getting in the habit of performing deep breathing techniques to cleanse your body while bending and twisting your body for maximum flexibility.

If you know it then DO it!

If you need help in those areas I'd love to help. Here's a list of products that can help bridge the gap between learning something and actually implementing it.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M