EP15 8 Tips for Staying in the Game and Getting Better At Anything

Staying in the Game, A Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast

View the complete transcript of the show HERE.

Master Jeff Webb, 6th Degree, is the chief instructor of the National Ving Tsun Organization (NVTO). A former private student of Grandmaster Leung Ting, Dai-Sifu Webb has studied martial arts for over 37 years in the USA, Europe and also in Hong Kong. A veteran of the US Airforce, Dai-Sifu Jeff is based in Austin, Texas where he instructs martial arts, defensive tactics and firearms. A sought after instructor, he has been popular on the national seminar circuit for more than 20 years. He has authored a number of articles over the years in addition to his recent book, The Empty Cup, which is geared towards helping martial arts students “stay in the game.”

“It's all about the number of repetitions that need to be done to get you to where you need to be. And nothing stops you from doing that except your own mindset.”—Dai-Sifu Jeff

Show Notes:

0:13 An introduction to Sifu Jeff and a little about his side jobs as a safety officer at a gun range, an NRA certified instructor on rifle, pistol and shotgun, and a licensed-to-carry instructor.

5:35 Doing seminars for the Ving Tsun seminar association as a high-level instructor

7:45 Has a unique perspective on Ving Tsun, combining several styles including both European and Asian influence.

11:50 Kung Fu is a numbers game; repetition is what makes you better than someone else in the class. There’s no way around doing the hard work.

16:00 Flexibility, strength and reflexes can improve with kung fu training. Mental, spiritual and emotional benefits are found in training too.

20:23 By following a pattern of discipline, you develop self-discipline that carries to other parts of your life.

21:45 Sifu Jeff discusses the 3 A’s: Attendance, Ability and Attitude.

24:10 Discusses his book The Empty Cup. You have to be open to receiving advice in order to learn from wise people.

30:20 The learning should never stop.

35:30 One of the most important things you can learn is that sometimes you lose and what really matters is how you handle it.

“But, hey, everyone gets beat or defeated or they lose something somewhere at some time in their life. It's how you handle that is what makes the difference.”—Dai-Sifu Jeff

Summary of Dai-Sifu Jeff’s Training Tips:

1. Repetition is key. Doing something over and over will help you to improve more than being big or strong.
2. When you start something, see it through. The beginning is always hard, but stick with it.
3. Do the work. We don’t always feel like training, but afterwards we feel better.
4. Attendance is key. You have to show up for the game.
5. Attitude is the most important component of staying in the game.
6. Always be ready and open to learning. Dai-Sifu Jeff says to all students, "Be open minded….Come in open to anything because if you come in with a closed mind, you're automatically blocking out information and knowledge that could be useful to you."
7. Be humble. The more advanced you get, the more humble you should be.
8. Accept that sometimes you will lose. It’s how you handle it that determines the type of person you will be.

Find out more about Dai-Sifu Jeff’s seminars, instruction and books at the following links:

• National Ving Tsun Organization
• National Ving Tsun Facebook Page
• Austin Ving Tsun Academy
• Austin Ving Tsun Academy Facebook Page
• Empty Cup Blog

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Podcast Music Credit:

Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/