Personal Goals in fighting...

[FrauHirsch]

My first and last steps always include ice, pain killers and anti-inflamatories.

It sucks getting old.

[Owyn]

There's some really great advice in this thread, and thanks for the givers (love reading this sort of thing!).

For me, what motivates me most is not fun.

It's JOY.

I can be tired as hell, sore from the day before, bruised, worried about bills, whatever. I put on the armor, maybe wishing I had stayed home that day, or was sitting in a chair watching the kids play in the sun.

But I pick up my weapon, step out into the battle, and it rarely fails - I feel alive. I feel invigorated, drinking deeply of every moment and loving life with an intensity I rarely get elsewhere. It's not just fun. It's joy.

That's my motivation; and I think the key is really that I step in without expectation. I don't worry about whether I should beat X person or why I was killed by Y person. I just step in, come alive in the battle, and step out when it's over. Expectation is the enemy of joy, though. If I start worrying about how well I am doing, or how well I think I should be doing, then I lose the joy and with it, my motivation, determination, and focus. And then I start fighting like crap.

*************

I think there are lots of ways to approach goals. I found Frieman's challenge last summer to be a great one, for me. As a result, I spent an hour or more a day, all summer, working on my physical stamina and strength. I had a great Pennsic as a result, never had a problem fighting at max output through any of the battles. And my wife said she saw a very positive change in my weight distribution, from middle to shoulders...which was a nice fringe benefit.

But fitness and talent in a martial art are not things which I feel lend themselves really well to concrete "target" style goals (I will be at X destination by Y day). The more (quality) time you put in, the more you will get back - but to quote a trite-but-true, it's a road, not a destination. I've been a student of martial arts (first eastern, now western) for almost twenty five years now, and if I've learned one thing, it is that so long as you stay willing to learn and willing to work at learning, the learning will continue to come.

[Dietrich von Stroheim]

My Fighting Goals

This Year: Win a major tournament (which I define as 40+ contestants with knights, dukes, etc)

Intermediate Term (3 years): After I move (to an area where I am close enough to make more than 1 event per month), Win Crown.

Long Term (5-10 years): Become a Duke and develop both prowess and reputation similar to that of men like Brannos and Logan (and be a great TEACHER like them, as well as a swordsman). I want to be a strong positive influence on the SCA, as well as a badass.

Constant, Ongoing:
1) Never let anything that happens on the field upset me or cause me to lose my temper (so far, so good!)
2) Constantly improve my fighting skill by seeking out and challenging top-level opponents
3) HAVE FUN
4) Seek ways to improve my kit without sacrificing performance or comfort

[Stefan ap Llewelyn]

When I plateau (or at least feel as if I have) I spend time working on the basics - the very basics. Each shot, each guard, shield position etc. I break it right down and kind of rebuild from scratch.

[MJBlazek]

I had a much better night at practice last night. Was it amazing? no. was it better? Yes. And thats all that matters.

[Fokke]

BLOOD! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!
oh wait, wrong game....

Umm... as been stated Fun is the overall goal. I wouldnt do this if there was no thrill and it wasnt fun.

1. Immediate goals- Get my foot healed and get back into shape over the summer lull in the fighting.

2. Get my new armor kit finished so I can debut it at Fall coronation.

3. Work on garb and persona.

Long term goals- Be the guy people point to when they mention best great sword in the kingdom. Now that I am getting more focused training I am seeing things and new openings I wasnt seeing before. Havent quite gotten the speed part down to take advantage of them but am actively working on it to the detriment of my shoulder blades heheh.

[Diglach Mac Cein]

2 Goals. Only 2 goals.

1) Have fun.

2) Keep doing it for at least 10 more years.


Renew goals in 2020.


.

[Adriano]

I'm turning 50 this year. My main goal is to keep fighting as long as I can.

Also got the continuing goal of winning the Silver Hammer Tourney with a greatsword. Ironically, since I made that pledge in 2006, I haven't been able to actually attend Silver Hammer, but this year I'll be there!

[Doorman]

1- replace my all plastic kit with leather/metal armor. Going for period with maximum maneuverability. (suggestions via pm welcome)

2- learn more than just sword and board.

3- acquire the clamshell gauntlets to let me fight without the basket hilt.

4- improve my cardio so I can go longer than 4-5 minutes straight.

5- Become one of the best.

[Dietrich von Stroheim]

BLOOD! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!
oh wait, wrong game....

Umm... as been stated Fun is the overall goal. I wouldnt do this if there was no thrill and it wasnt fun.

1. Immediate goals- Get my foot healed and get back into shape over the summer lull in the fighting.

Whadja do to your foot bro???

[Fokke]

Current line of thought from a couple of docs is I have chipped a bone in my heel. Was told stay off as much as i can and it should heal on its own. Its the summertime lull though. Ill probably go to next practice because I said I and chill the rest of the summer and stick to an air conditioned gym.

[Dietrich von Stroheim]

Current line of thought from a couple of docs is I have chipped a bone in my heel. Was told stay off as much as i can and it should heal on its own. Its the summertime lull though. Ill probably go to next practice because I said I and chill the rest of the summer and stick to an air conditioned gym.

Oww. Sounds nasty. Hope you recover soon.