The video camera has been my nemesis for years. I'd much rather see pictures than a video of myself. Pictures do not highlight my voice the way a video does. I just don't like how my voice sounds on tape! My dad has always been the video guy, so for most of my life I've just had to deal with it -- which usually involves me complaining "Do you have to video this?" I appreciate the videos more now as I get older because I like looking back at special events in my life and saying "Oh yeah! I remember doing that!"
Well, it looks like I'm going to be seeing a lot more videos of myself very soon. I've come to a mental block in one part of my training and one of my instructors said that a good tool that might help is to video myself so I can actually see what I'm doing wrong and be able to fix it on my own. I've been told that I'm good at pointing out things that the other students are doing wrong when I'm in teacher mode, but I have trouble identifying things that are wrong with my techniques. I'm a very visual person, so I think being able look at a video and pinpoint trouble areas will really help me.
The biggest area that I'm having to overcome is. . . myself. I've been down on my confidence lately as far as my Tae Kwon Do goes (a lot of it due to the very high expectations of a brown belt) and and it has started to show in class. I'm working on that now, but I really do think that as my techniques improve, my confidence will also. That's where the whole idea of videoing myself comes into play.
As a brown belt, my instructors are still going to lead me in the right direction and help me as much as they can. It's just that at my level and especially at my next rank of red belt, being able to self-correct is a big deal.
The other night, Mr. G said something that really hit home. I forget the wording, but here's the gist of it. He asked me if I knew who was going to get me over me -- who was going to be able to fix these things I'm having trouble with. I said myself. Ie: Ariel. He said no. Miss (my last name) the assistant instructor was going to fix Ariel the student.
Now where is that video camera? I have some work to do.
4 comments:
Good luck, Ariel! I'll bet that once you identify where you're making mistakes, the technique will really open up, and your confidence will SOAR! :-) It's not such a big hurtle, but merely a small bump in the road. You're doing great!!
I empathise - they like to really crank up the pressure once you get to brown belt! I think videoing is a great idea (and you don't have to speak- I hate hearing myself too!). Training is full of little plateaus and occasional dips but the general trend is always upwards - remember that!
Video is a wonderful tool, Ariel! I hate myself on tape as well (as it always reminds me of how daggone BIG I really am), but once I get past that, I usually learn lots. I'm sure you will, too.
We have a first kyu who may be testing for shodan next May. She is having difficulties with a few katas (presenting them in a really stiff, tense and rigid manner) and we're going to tape her next week so she can see what we've been describing to her for a while now. I'm sure both of you will be surprised how much it helps!
I had a fortune cookie the other day that said: "Get your mind set; confidence will lead you on." Just paying it forward, my friend...
Thanks, Frank! I really appreciate the encouragement. It really feels like a big hurtle now, but I need to think of it as just a small bump like you said. :)
Thank you, Sue! All the plateaus and dips are giving me a headache! I'm ready to be back on that straight, upward slope again. Thank you for the encouraging words.
Felicia - So my instructors aren't the only ones recommending the video. Awesome. I still haven't been able to go out and video, but I'm hoping to this week. I'm anxious to see how I look on tape. Thanks!
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