At one time I used a work van to do delivery. One day the transmission suddenly lost power and pumping the pedal just won’t increase the speed. I sent in the van to the authorized workshop for repair.

The problem was solved……. momentarily. It came back again and the 2nd repair involved changing a more expensive part. So I thought problem solved, right?

Nope, the problem was not solved. In the third visit it was suggested that a more major repair might be required. I asked if this major repair was carried out would it fixed the problem once and for all. The workshop could not say for sure so the repair was out.

This major repair involved replacing the engine and if this will not solve the problem there could be other unknown issues. The repair could turn into a black hole in which we can keep throwing in money but never solve the root cause. In the end, the van was sold off.

I mentioned this as a parallel example of fixing our martial arts practice. Some of the problems with our practice can be fixed easily by zooming in to the problem area and doing the remedy practice.

However, sometimes the problems are so many that trying to fix them all becomes a major challenge. Where should you begin the remedy? Would fixing one problem create a different problem? Or would fixing a few related problems be a better approach?

I guess this depends on the individual. For some, a piecemeal approach works whereas for some it might be better to throw out the existing practice and start from scratch, not that the latter is any more easier. The reason is that it is not easy to stop the progress obstructing habits just because we decide to stop our existing practice. You simply cannot eradicate the habits acquired from previous practice just like that. More so, if you are continuing to attend class where you have to keep practicing the same habits because these habits are considered good.

Another possible consideration is to work on one’s existing strengths. However, one should not underestimate the pull of weaknesses that unaddressed continues to influence, even drag our attempts to make progress.

In wanting to make progress we should analyze what we know, what we do not know, and what we are not even aware that we do not know. We need to take a bias minimized examination of ourselves, ask how badly we want it, and what we are willing to give up to get it.

Recently I asked Paul to take a look at the Netflix reality series Physical:Asia. There are a number of lessons from the team challenge quests that we can apply to our own learning. For example, in one challenge the first part of the quest was made known, however, the second part was not informed.

The other known information is that each of the 4 teams had to put up 3 participants (out of a team of 6) to take part in the first part of the quest. It is interesting to watch how each of the teams decide who to put into the first quest. One team decided that they will put in their weaker members and keep their stronger members for the unknown second quest. This flew against the strategy of the other three teams to put in strong members to try to win the first quest.

As expected the team that put in the weaker members lost the first quest. However, for the second part their remaining members were now stronger relative to the members of the other three teams so they won the second part. If they had put in their stronger members for the first quest they would have lost the first and second quests. But knowing when not to try to win and where to concentrate their effort allowed them to go to the finals and this team eventually won the final quest as well to emerge champion.

Amongst all the teams in the challenge, the winning team was not the strongest team. Neither were they the weakest. Their only advantage was that the team members had taken part in the earlier two seasons of the Physical:100 challenge so that gave them experience even though in the earlier Physical:100 challenges the winner was one person who had to take part in solo and team quests.

The strongest team in Physical:Asia was Team Australia but they did not make it to the final 4 teams, a shocker considering how well they did in earlier challengers (they had members who were stronger, faster and bigger). Their end of the road came when Team Japan noticed a way they could enhance their winning odds in the battle rope challenge by switching the order of their team members around. Team Australia kept their team members in the same order in the second around. Using this strategy Team Japan beat Team Australia and they were out of the competition.

I would consider Physical:Asia as a textbook for learning how to apply strategic thinking, how to use your strengths and weaknesses, how to coordinate effort, manage timing, when to fight, etc. Use these lessons and apply them to analyse your own learning of your choice martial art.