(Approx 1 minute 45 second read)

Why are people so afraid of learning something new or different? Even if you’ve been doing something one particular way for years, there might be a different or better way. Wouldn’t it be interesting and great to discover and learn that? Why are so many people adamant that the way they know is the only way?
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The answer maybe; “Change”.
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Just the mention of this word can make some people uneasy. We often resist change because of the perceived risk or fear it brings. People resist change because they believe they will lose something valuable or fear they won’t be able to adapt to new ways.
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Learning a new kata, understanding kata in a different way, learning a new drill, or even changing your style of karate, can seem really daunting. Change never feels natural. We instinctively repel it and often retreat back into our comfort zones, continuing with what we’ve always done.
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But change is essential to grow and becoming a better martial artist. You owe it to yourself, and if you teach, you owe it to your students.
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You fear learning something new because you fear being wrong. As humans, we are creatures of habit, I know I am, but essentially, people naturally fear change. Learning something new requires patience, practice, concentration, focus, and admitting you might be wrong. Your brain is wired to avoid effort and stay in your comfort zone.
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As a teacher, I’ve found that the most common reason students or instructors are afraid to learn new things, is their fear of failure and nervousness about confronting their actual abilities, rather than the talent they wish they had or think they have. Ironically, the way to develop real talent is to learn deeply, not superficially.
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Trying new things is good for our psychological health because overcoming the challenge of stepping out of our comfort zone not only increases our knowledge and understanding, but also builds our self-confidence and self-esteem.
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If you are having trouble understanding something, don’t fall back on what you think you know or what your teacher has told you.
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Stop. Pause for a moment. Think logically. Put away any preconceptions you may have and try to look at things from a different perspective. Look for yourself.
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It’s not about being right or wrong; we’re all here to learn, and with each lesson, we gain the ability to apply our knowledge more effectively.
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“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar
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Photo Credit: Akihito Yagi – Goju Ryu – Tatsuya Naka – Shotokan from Kuro-Obi World