The Notebook

by Mike

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the notebook is he most underutilized piece of training equipment. The notebook doesn't replace competent instruction or training partners, but I find that it's significantly more useful than any DVD or instruction book.

The concept is pretty simple: write stuff down so you don't forget it.

Sooner is always better than later - you might not be able to do it _during_ class and I always liked to do it on the train home.

It doesn't even need to be a notebook. I've got notes going back years written up in .txt files, half-sheets of paper, stationary from my last job, two or three half-filled spiral notepads and the backs of gym flyers. I've got one in each gym bag, backups on my computer and a three-ring binder in a giant storage box.

It pays to keep everything nice and organized though - I'm not looking forward to going through all those piles.

Even the notes themselves vary in their description - I've broken the jab down into the smallest components and written "Silat leghump takedown." Whatever works for you.

Another great use for the notebook is to write down you goals for the upcoming sessions. There's a lot of junk written about setting manageable goals (and some good stuff too), but in general, small, well-defined goals are better than grand, nebulous ones. "Kick that dude in the face" works better than "win Abu Dhabi" and "only go for the anaconda choke this week" is more helpful than "more well rounded fighter."

It's one thing to keep notes for your regular workouts (if only to avoid feeling like a fool when someone asks, "what'd we do last week?"), but is almost necessary if you're going to be taking a seminar with someone that you won't have the opportunity to see and ask for clarification in the future.

I was amazed at how much keeping a notebook helped my game. Normally, something like the Silat leghump (whatever it's real name is) would have been practiced for a few reps and then forgotten (despite me thinking that it was pretty cool), but after that class, I wrote everything down. Next time I sparred, I was against the ropes, getting hammered with knees and pulled off this technique.

Other times, writing things down like, "sit into punches more," or "more snap" aren't necessarily helpful new directions, but they do help to clarify my thoughts and remind me of where I should be directing my energy to improve.

Update 2/15/8: Added photo