Losing interest in your martial arts training will happen to everyone at some point. There are various reasons why this can happen. However, changing your perspective a little can be all it takes to rekindle your love of your art and keep you training.
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The novelty of the training wears off, or an injury. Covid-19 rears its ugly head and forces you to have time away. Sometimes, that motivational spark just isn’t there. Work or personal commitments become more important.
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Know what I mean?
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It feels as if training is the least interesting thing to do. You’re tired. You just want to relax. You want to eat pizza. Watch a movie. Hang out with your friends, kids or spouse. Do some work. Go shopping. Play on the Xbox.
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So you decide to skip Karate, just one time. No problem, right?
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WRONG.
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You see, although you don’t know it yet, you’ve just started a habit. A destructive habit. Because, gradually you may find yourself coming up with more and more excuses for skipping your training. I’m not saying that this happens to everyone, but when it does happen, this is how it usually starts.
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However, as is the case with any physical exercise, keeping motivated is a key factor. Many people start their training with a sense of excitement and fervor. However, this feeling is usually fleeting, and many fail due to a lack of motivation…..And for those who own martial arts schools, this is something that you’re likely all too familiar with. Many students sign up for martial arts classes, only to drop out and not see their training all the way through.
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What can you do about it?
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It might sound obvious but the best thing you can do is to carry on. Firstly, remember that motivation is fleeting. Once you start to train again the feeling of being unmotivated often disappears. Simply starting to train again is the hardest part of this process.
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There is no secret to staying motivated in any form of training. You have to regard your training as a lifestyle, that is part of your identity, not just a hobby that you pick up now and again.
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You have to have passion, and then turn that passion into a habit. A HOBBY is something you do when you have the time. A PASSION is something you want to do even when it’s difficult. Habit comes naturally when you’re training in something you’re passionate about.
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Make time for it. Prioritize training as a way of life – as important as family, friends and career. If you are bogged down by responsibilities, commitments and problems, find solutions and don’t make excuses. 
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