I’ll be honest, not that I would lie to anybody, one of the hardest things for me is sticking to the standards I set when nobody’s watching. It’s easy to push myself when I’m with my students, my team, or my family. But when it’s just me? That’s when the real test begins.
That’s why Il Il Shin Rule #2 is so powerful: “Keep the rules when you have no rules.”
For me, that means treating my standards personally and professionally as non-negotiable. And most days, it feels like a mental sparring match. The easy way out is always there, and I have to fight to keep the higher standard.
That’s not easy, but that’s why we call it training. Every time you honor your own standard, you build strength and discipline, but it has to be consistent.
And here’s where a coach becomes invaluable. A great coach won’t just help you create the rules, they’ll hold you accountable to the ones you’ve set for yourself. Even better, they’ll show you how to become self-accountable. They help you follow through when your mind is looking for an escape route.(Thank you, John Moljo.)
Happy living!
