大取りより小取り
Ootoriyorikotori
Light gains make for a heavy purse
A good martial artist minds the small steps first. Sometimes things become overwhelming when we take them as a whole. Therefore, in order to fully digest something, sometimes it is better to take them in smaller bites. Author Darren Hardy called this the Compound Effect. “The Compound Effect is the principle of reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices.” The Japanese called this idea kaizen (改善) or the “continuous Improvement” method. In kaizen, improvements are created with continuous small and ongoing positive changes which end up affecting the success of an entire project. Skill acquisition in Japanese traditional arts is very much based upon this idea of kaizen or the Compound Effect. For instance, in meditation, students are asked to search for one place within themselves which is calm. By noticing this one place of calm, we hope to build upon that mindfulness and carry that calmness to every part of our body. The same can be said in the martial arts. Whatever technique we are trying to improve, we should first focus on one aspect which we are doing well. From this point, we add a layer to it to improve upon it. We don’t have to do something drastic in order to change something. Sometimes, the most meaningful change comes from something small and seemingly insignificant. For instance, if we were trying to improve our kirioroshi (切り下ろし) or “overhead cut” in swordsmanship, Furuya Sensei suggested that we first “focus on our grip, then stance, and then posture.” By focusing first on these three small things in succession, we should be able to eventually do a good overhead cut. This is what Aristotle meant when he said, “Well begun is half done.” One of the biggest killers of our motivation is to become overwhelmed. When we are overwhelmed, many of us shut down and can’t seem to get the motivation to improve upon something let alone start at all. Understanding this, the US military uses this strategy called Compartmentalization where the soldier is supposed to break up a large or overwhelming task into smaller more palatable bites. This enables the soldier to avoid becoming overwhelmed and help them to complete their mission. This is perhaps the logic behind Sun Tzu’s quote, “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” Smaller more achievable steps build upon themselves and lead to greater and lasting success and that is why a good martial artist always minds the small steps first.
Today’s goal: Make it small and achievable. “Even specks of dust if piled up can become a mountain.” - Japanese proverb
Watch this video to better understand how small steps add up