The hardest training is not physical.
It is interesting that when people think about hard training, they immediately think of something physically vigorous. I too fall into that trap. The reality is the hardest training we face is 100% mental, which ultimately is reflected in the physical. We could always overcome physical challenges, but it is the mental challenges that limit us the most. What does that mean?
Well, someone says something to you that offends you, and you do not respond negatively, that is mental training. When you are having a bad day and find the ability to stay positive, that is training. When your kids are driving you absolutely nuts and you stay calm, that is training? If you are working on a project and things feel as though they are crumbling beneath, yet you keep faith and moving forward, that is training.
I learned this lesson in 2008 when the financial crisis hit. I was in the process of building my new school and challenge after challenge was thrown my way. During Friday Tea, Grandmaster Kim asked how my training was and I shamefully told him I had not been training because I was physically building our new school (with my hands). He looked at me and said, “So you have been training harder than anyone.” This is when I learned that training starts when you open your eyes in the morning and stops when you go to sleep that night everyday, and not just when you are doing physical exercise.
Soooooo, when you are struggling, don’t look at it as if it is a problem , an issue, or a challenge, look at it as if you are in training and your perspective of the challenge may very well change. At least it worked for me and now this is how I live everyday.
I hope you train really hard!
