Do you need to add, or do you need to shed?
Hello, Wah Lum Family!
The author James Clear shared a thought that struck a chord with how we approach our training:
“There are two ways to grow: by adding or by shedding. Do you need to add something or do you need to shed something?”
Our default setting is usually to add. We want to learn a new form, pick up a new weapon, lift heavier weights, or train more days a week.
But often, the biggest leap in our progress comes when we choose to shed. And usually, what we need to shed is the expectation that we must excel at everything all the time.
You cannot be at your best every day
We put an immense amount of pressure on ourselves to perform perfectly every time we step onto the training floor. But as my strength coach Brett Jones has reminded me many times:
“Only the mediocre are at their best all of the time.”
If you are always at your “best,” it means you are staying entirely within your comfort zone. You aren’t pushing the boundaries of your mobility, your strength, or your mind. Real growth is messy. It means having days where your stances feel weak, your mind is foggy, and you feel like you are taking two steps back.
Implementation over Ideas
When we accept that we won’t be perfect every day, we realize a fundamental truth about Kung Fu and life: What prevails is rarely the best idea, but the best implementation.
You don’t need a secret, magical training protocol. You just need to show up and do the work, even when you aren’t at your best.
It is only now, after 25+ years in Wah Lum, that I can truly appreciate this. As I reflect on my own limitations and what I might humbly call my own “mediocrity” compared to the ideal, I am more in awe of Grandmaster Chan than ever. His great skill didn’t come from being perfect every single day; it came from relentless, decades-long implementation.
The power of the “Amateur”
So, if we aren’t going to be perfect, and if we are constantly humbled by the art, why do we keep doing it?
There is a great quote from the show Mozart in the Jungle that captures the mindset we need to cultivate:
“You say ‘amateur’ as if it was a dirty word. ‘Amateur’ comes from the Latin word ‘amare’, which means to love. To do things for the love of it.”
Shed the need to be perfect. Shed the frustration of not being at your best today.
Embrace being an amateur. Step onto the floor, put in the reps, and train simply for the love of the art.
See you in training,
Sifu Oscar
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are ways we can help you get started.
1. Schedule a time to observe a class.
Interested in Kung Fu or Tai Chi? First step is to watch a class and see if we would be a good fit! Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for an appointment.
2. Become part of my exclusive Coaching Group with CYH Remote Coaching. Get personalized coaching delivered right to your phone and catered to your specific goals.
Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for info.