Willpower by definition is the ability to resist short-term temptation in order to meet long-term goals.
The past two years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the time to test one’s willpower. I would like to share this true story with you and hope you are as motivated by it as I am.
In the beginning of the pandemic, like everyone else, our classes were forced into the virtual world. Training at home with very limited space, students could only practice techniques that their home environment allowed, which wasn’t a lot.
As time went on not being able to practice more dynamic techniques, many students became bored with the more repetitive techniques. They began to drop out of training.
In those days, I kept asking myself how I could thrust strength upon my students to keep them training. I adjusted my teaching methods. I altered my routines to keep them interested, but not very successfully.
I understood that it is not just physical change that makes a person strong. Strength can also come from a psychological reaction to an internal conflict, in this case, the temptation to quit from boredom.
In the past 44 years of my teaching profession, being able to produce world class Wushu champions has been satisfying, but my real happiness comes from shaping and creating students to have compassionate hearts with upright character and unbendable willpower.
I have found that those students who have this unbendable willpower all have these traits in common: they have a clear goal in mind; they keep up with the scheduled routine; and when things get tough, they get more determined to continue with their goal.
This year, Tony Wang, Joanne Li, Anya Crowl, Abby Mintzer and Liam Brown went to Texas for the US Junior Team Trials.
This year’s team trials had more than double the number of competitors than previous years. Maybe it was the pandemic. Everyone had been isolated for two years, then suddenly, the door was opened, and everyone rushed to Texas for the team trials. The US National Team consists of three age groups and to be in the US National Team, you have to be one of the top six athletes in your age group. Only the top two athletes in each age group will represent the US in the next international championship.
Two years ago, Tony Wang and Joanne Li were junior team members in the US Wushu Academy. While the more experienced and senior team members dropped out of training, these two persisted and pressed on. Two years is a long time for anyone who doesn’t have willpower. The result was that Tony Wang placed first, and Joanne Li placed second. They are going to represent the US in the 8th World Junior Wushu Championship on December 2-10, 2022 in Indonesia.
I know they will do their best and treasure this once in a lifetime experience.
After the team trial, the perception of the three younger members, Anya Crowl, Abby Mintzer and Liam Brown’s has changed. They now train with much more motivation. I know their consciousness has been opened up. I am grateful and happy.