(Approx 1 minute 50 second read)

A friend of mine reminded me, in relation to an article I wrote about keeping karate grounded in reality when approaching self-defense, about cognitive dissonance in the martial arts.
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Ever feel that discomfort when two ideas just don’t sit right?
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That’s cognitive dissonance.
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We dedicate years to honing our techniques, trusting in the systems we’ve chosen. But when someone points out a flaw or reality challenges our beliefs, it can feel like a punch in the stomach. We get comfortable – perhaps too comfortable – with our assumptions.
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You often see this played out in many dojo that believe their style is the best.
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Then there’s the practitioner who has mastered intricate techniques, convinced they’re ready for anything. But when faced with real chaos, those skills vanish under pressure.
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Or the competitor who thinks their sport karate experience will seamlessly translate to a self-defense fight. Or the instructor who refuses to adapt, even as students struggle to apply what they’ve learned.
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So how else does cognitive dissonance show up in martial arts?
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It often starts with denial: “That won’t happen to me”. Or the justification: “I’ve practiced this a thousand times, it works!” Like the guy who recently told me he had practiced these techniques thousands of times and won all the fights he’s been in – on the street, of course!
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If the challenge continues, the next step is often attacking the messenger – dismissing new ideas rather than looking at them. It’s a defense mechanism to protect the belief that you are right.
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But the best martial artists aren’t afraid of the truth. They pressure-test everything. They embrace the uncomfortable reality of not knowing everything and view being wrong as a chance to improve.
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The real challenge lies in recognizing when cognitive dissonance is at play. It’s about being honest with yourself. Acknowledging when your beliefs don’t align with the reality of the situation. It’s about saying, “Maybe I was wrong”, and realizing that this isn’t weakness – it’s strength. The strength to adapt, to evolve, and to improve.
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The path to any kind of proficiency isn’t about sticking rigidly to what you know; it’s about trading your comfort zone for the power of reality. The more you question your beliefs and refine your approach, the better you become.
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The true martial artist is someone who embraces growth through constant learning. So, don’t be like the ‘Nidan’ instructor who told me he didn’t want me to teach him bunkai – because in his words, no one comes into his dojo to learn kata; they just come to learn fighting.
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Written by Adam Carter & thanks to PJ Broomy and Cairns Karate