Attention to Detail

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Attention to details is a corner stone to martial arts and especially to self-protection/defensive martial skills... until attention to detail is not and hinders applicable skills in the heat of violence. 

When I first enter one's dojo I take a look around, in as much detail orientation as possible, to see the attitude that represents the attentiveness to details of said dojo. Not that a detail like wrinkled uniforms, uneven and extra long obi ends and a badly tied obi makes a difference in how you apply those skills in sports or combative professions or self-protective defenses but it does speak to the attentiveness and detail orientation and attitudes of those who practice, train and follow the way of the martial disciplines. 

Likening to the Marines whose detail orientation is pretty darn detailed as many of us Leathernecks can attest when a Drill Instructor performs corrective instruction on a recruit who fails to be attentive to the details involved in boot camp. All through my career attention to detail was stressed not because it made a difference in applying skills in successful combat but because of the concepts and mind-state it fosters, enhances and builds on that are used in combat. 

There is an Admiral who gives a commencement speech to a graduating Navy class about things that make for success in the discipline involved where the mere effort and attention to detail in making ones bunk/rack/bed every single day represents and symbolizes. Inspirational to say the least and why one must develop that attention to detail. After all, https://youtu.be/pxBQLFLei70

Tasks as the good Admiral states, and I will try to emulate for those who enter the dojo. “Upon entering the dojo we bow, upon entering the change room we remove the old street clothes and don the martial art uniform. Every dojo session we put on the karate-gi with a neat pressed look, clean white uniform, the left over the right then the obi tied expertly every single time to look exact and exacting every single time. Ties with the appropriate crossover in the back; tied with the appropriate knot; tied so that each of the ends that hang down from the knot are exacting and exactly even and of a specific length… not too long and not too short. In short, much like the Admiral’s example of making ones rack (bed) every day and to exact specifications we have accomplished our first successful act of the day, every day of every week of every month of every year. Just think of it, if we made our rack/bed just like the Admiral describes then continue to make our life’s daily details exacting and successfully then enter the dojo and apply those same skills such as dressing in the dressing room then we have achieved a great deal. That and the Admiral’s details of daily success and achievements give us meaning to everything we do. 

“The little things in life matter and if you can’t do the little things right you will never be able to do the BIG things right!”

Go back, give a listen to the Admiral’s speech and then relate it to your life, to your efforts in the dojo and to your overall life philosophy… can you do the little things, can you do the big things, CAN YOU… are you a sugar cookie? :-) 

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)