The late Bruce Lee lived by a strict philosophy that guided him daily. Among other things, he believed in mastery over self vs mastery over others, and despite being one of the best martial artists of his time, he remained humble, believing he could always get better.
One of the quotes he is most known for is the following:
[su_quote cite=”Bruce Lee”]I fear not the man who has practiced 10000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.[/su_quote]
Bruce Lee knew that getting good at anything requires daily practice and repetition. Practicing 10000 kicks once. Showing up to do the same work day after day after day without fail. Staying focused in a world that does everything in its power to distract us from staying focused on one thing.
He also knew that getting great requires conquering the temptation to try something else because that something else promises relief, something fresh and different. An escape. A way out.
Indeed, temptation’s very nature is to trick us into believing the new option will make things easier.
It won’t.
The allure of the new has taken down many an aspiring writer, poet, business owner, athlete, inventor. The highway of good intentions is littered with abandoned cars of well-meaning folks who had a dream — just not enough gas in the tank to get them to their destination. Once the honeymoon haze has lifted on the latest adventure and the reality sinks in about what’s really involved to complete the mission, more choose to walk away than see things through to the end.
Good intentions may be the impulse behind getting started on a new project. The genius of achievement lies not in the soft glow of spontaneity, however, but in the bright light of showing up every day to practice that one kick again and again and again.
No matter what.
