Self-Control and Martial Arts

• What is Self-Control?

Defined: control of oneself, one's emotions and impulses.

• Do you lack self-control?

1. Do your diets often fail?

2. Do you have a hard time studying?

3. Have you found you lose your temper too easy?

4. Do you have a hard time finishing projects you've started?

5. Do you have an abuse problem such as alcohol, drugs, or something else?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may need to work on improving your self control.

Obesity, drug abuse, and crime are but just a few of the extreme consequences of not being able to control yourself. Humans beings naturally have a hard time controlling urges, but one of the things that seperates us from the rest of the animal world is the ability that we have to exercise self-control.

Self control is a difficult concept for many to grasp, mainly because we are inclined to act on our emotions and desire for instant gratification rather than doing what will be the best for us in the long-run. This is especially true in today's modern world. Generations now are growing up with cell phones, the internet, and other devices that put our desires at our fingertips with minimal effort. This can bring indulging in our compulsiveness, addictions, obsessions, irrationality and other self-destructive behaviors. From overeating, procrastinating, impulsive buys, abusive relationships or drug and alcohol abuse, a lack of self control in your daily life will eventually catch up with you if it hasn?t already.

• Self Control, the key to success?

Studies have linked having the ability to conrol yourself directly to success in other areas of life. Psychologist Walter Mischel conducted a classic experiment around 1970. The experiment looked to judge the ability of children to control their urges and followed them as they grew up to guage their success in life.

The study was initially performed by having a group of 4 year olds placed in a room with a bell and a marshmallow. If the child rang the bell, the experimentor would come back and the child would be allowed to eat the marshmallow. If, on the other hand, the child was able to exercise control and wait for the researcher to return, they would then be allowed to eat two marshmallows.

Video of the experiment shows the children reacting heavily and having a difficult time not eating the marshmallow. They would kick, squirm, and hide thier eyes in desperate attempts to control their urges. Over the course of 15 minutes, performances varied considerably. Some children could not wait and rang the bell immediatedly. Some lasted for 15 minutes.

The children who rang the bell the fastest eventually were more likely to have drug problems, recieved worse evaluations from parents and teachers, and were the types more likely to become bullies. Those who waited went on the get higher SAT scores, got into better colleges and had, on average, better success as an adult.

• So where does martial arts fit in?

One of the best ways to develop self-control is to build upon that which you already have. Once you find that you can prevent succumbing to a desire, you can utilize that same behavior in other areas of your life. You will find that the addage "success is contagious" is true, because you will be able to transfer your ability to control yourself to other areas of your life.

• A staple of martial arts is teaching students to exert self-control when faced with difficult situations.

• Self control in martial arts is required to continue progressing.

• Remember, lack of self-control is giving into emotions.

Having this elevated understanding of self and ability will help you know the best choice for yourself.

Once you are able to see alternatives to urges you are able to make an intelligent and concious decision. Sometimes, losing self-control is noting more than not knowing an alternative choice. Armed with knowledge, one can make the better choice and exert self-control in a situation they otherwise would not be able to.

Return from Self Control to Benefits of Martial Arts.

Reference: Answers.com

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