Live out of Mindsight not Eyesight
"The most complete map in the world won't take you anywhere unless you know where you are." This particular statement cannot be ignored. Do you know where YOU are? Without this critical information there's no chance for advancement and self-improvement. On a weekly basis you should be tracking where you are, and daily would be the ideal. Whether this is for fitness or business goals, knowing where you are simply makes it way clearer to know where you need to go. I know most people know this but are you doing it? When you hit daily goals, it creates a surge of energy and enthusiasm as well as momentum. Momentum to take you through this year and others to come. In all areas of your life, where are you headed? Are you drifting along haphazardly reacting to life or actively creating your destiny? From a Martial Art standpoint, skill, strength and flexibility doesn't just happen without dedicated effort and paying close attention to what 's working and what isn't in your training. Conversely, relationships don't last forever without romance, communication, adventure and honesty. A business organization doesn't stay alive and thriving for over 30 years without constantly re-inventing itself, re-investing profits and finding better ways to serve their customers. For each area of your life (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, family, and financial) put them under the microscope, think of it as research, just that the test subject is YOU. Live your life out of Mindsight not Eyesight. Mindsight means to live out of your imagination while Eyesight means to live out of memory. The past does not equal the future. You are responsible for what you create, make it amazing and worthwhile! Master Yourself, Sibok M Labels: Attitude, Fang Shen Do, Fitness Goals, Goals, Life Lessons, Mindsight, Personal Development, Sibok Martin Patenaude, Success
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Take the Stairs
 Although this is good advice from a fitness point of view it's not what I mean. When it comes to your personal development make sure you take the stairs, not the elevator. Taking short cuts in this area is not recommended. Sure the elevator is quick and effortless but nothing worth having and fighting for is acquired through its use. The elevator to the top is, has been, and always will be "out of order" in my view. In order to get to the top in any endeavor you'll have to take the stairs. And you'll have to take them one at a time. Luckily they are right in front of you and you know exactly how many stairs you need to climb to get to the top. Then when you do reach the top you'll be armed with the right tools to stay on top. You can choose to look up the steps or step up the stairs? Which one will it be? When establishing a strong Martial Art Foundation, specifically in Fang Shen Do or whatever style you practice, the first step I would recommend is FSD's 10 secrets volume which also comes with 2 free bonuses. An orientation DVD that furthers your understanding of the foundation and a goal setting tool we use to get you on track and focused when obstacles might get in your way. Take the first step here. Master Yourself, Sibok M Labels: 10 Secrets Book, Attitude, Fang Shen Do, Patenaude Kung-Fu, Personal Development, Sibok Martin Patenaude, Sijo Jacques Patenaude
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Fruit is always on a limb
In other words, nothing is ever easy. To quote Zig Ziglar: "Most people wait until everything is just right before they do anything. They refuse to go out on a limb because they don't understand that the fruit is always on the limb." Everything requires a little bit of effort, action and faith. You have success and a personal champion within you waiting to be discovered. Do you know someone who is "gonna do something just as soon as..." Do you know them personally as in, maybe...You? The people who wait until everything is "just right" before they do anything will NEVER do it. The time will never be just right to start training and losing weight. Nor will it be to stop smoking, changing the food you eat or starting your own business and making a living doing what you're most passionate about. This is the underlying principle of the Fang Shen Do System. To knock out the "I'll get around to it" mentality plaguing so many people today. The best way to get things done is to FEEL good. And what better way to do that than by first mastering your body. A strong body invariably leads to a strong mind that ultimately gets you to follow through on what you want the most. Here's how to do it.Master Yourself, Sibok M Labels: Attitude, Fang Shen Do, Life Lessons, Personal Development, Sibok Martin Patenaude, Sijo Jacques Patenaude
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Is Running the Answer?
Yes I know, that statement is probably being uttered in many self-defense classes all over the world and it's good advice. When at all possible walking or maybe even running away is the best choice to make when you're faced with an attacker, especially if he has a weapon in hand. But that's not the point of my e-mail today. It's also easier to lose weight if you at least run explosive sprints every day instead of "plopping" on the couch or engaging in excessive, lethargic sitting each day. But that's not my point either. Some of you are so busy running (metaphorically), running after things you don't need. While you're running through life, remember to stop and enjoy, appreciate and feel. Like one of my father's mentors would say: "Life for some is running, running so they can eventually find a bench to sit on and catch their breath, but they never reach the bench, as soon as they get close to it, it disappears and re-appears in the horizon, only to repeat itself". What does the story mean? Either what you're setting out to do is an illusion, it's not your true calling. You're doing it for the wrong reasons and following this path leads nowhere. Or You fail to acknowledge your successes. When you see the bench (a success or accomplishment) you immediately set another one without celebrating the present one. This path leads to never feeling fulfilled. Or You come to realize the bench isn't moving away from you, YOU'RE the one moving away from it (the goal) , self-sabotage is the name of this path. That's why I urge so many of you to become and stay Martial Artists. It's a way to stop and recharge your batteries. It's a way to unplug and release pent up emotions that bring you stress. It's a way to strengthen the mind-body connection that so many people have lost today. It's an activity that "gives" rather than "takes". It teaches you principles you can carry on to any area of your life. It helps you to see clearly and know yourself. Don't be fooled, not all martial art schools deal with personal development the way Fang Shen Do does. If you're not training in one of our schools yet you can get started here. If you are a member, keep it up, the best is yet to come. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin P.S. I'll have important announcements shortly, a great opportunity you won't want to miss. Labels: Direction, Fang Shen Do, Life Lessons, Personal Development
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I hope you take the time
"To go to that place where time stops, where the chatter inside my mind fades to a pleasant "hum", seeking no need to revisit choices from the past and worrying about the future, these ZEN moments are what I live for." That's an entry taken 5 years ago from my personal journal, I just happened to be reviewing it today. It's interesting to re-read some stuff you might of wrote years ago and see what was on your mind back then and also see what you were going through and compare it with today. Sometimes there are NO differences. I feel exactly the same when I wrote that 5 years ago as I do today. Do you also share this habit of recording your life experiences and feelings in a journal? I hope you take the time. You know the saying: "If your life is worth living it's worth recording" There are plenty of moments in your life where this happens, these "ZEN moments" where you are totally happy, blissed out and content. Quickly, what comes to mind is: The birth of a child. Alone time with the person you love. Completing an important project. Playing with your kids if you have some. Reaching the top of a mountain while hiking. Watching the sun set. Building or buying a dream house and painting and decorating it until the wee hours in the morning. But, nowhere do these Zen moments happen more frequently than in my FSD training. The tools I've been given (which are the same tools you're also acquiring in your FSD training, if you're a member), allow me to connect immediately to that place. Whether you're working with a partner or you're by yourself, practicing martial arts really does give you a secret weapon in your life. Take something basic like Stretching. It feels good to know you have total control over your body. To make it do what you want it to do. With the warm weather arriving shortly you can sit outside on your deck, take in some much needed vitamin D from the sun and stretch, strengthen and engage in a form of meditation in movement, just you and your body. I'm talking much more than reaching down and touching your toes. To really know how to maintain, align, heal, and increase flexibility throughout your body should be something that, at a strict minimum, everyone should know how to do. Here's one way you can experience ZEN moments using Stretching, I've been using this very same system since I'm 6 years old to get them. See what I mean here. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin Labels: Fang Shen Do, Personal Development, Personal Journal, Stretching, Zen
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Asking the right questions
Every morning when I wake up I get a flash of inspiration, an idea or subject to cover during my e-mails. Coincidence? Not so. Before I retire at night I ask myself the right questions and in the morning I have my answer. My subconscious does the searching while I sleep. You too can use this technique to attract what it is you want. You can use it to attract winning ideas, better health, more happiness, a solution to a problem, etc... Also, asking the right questions in the morning upon arising will help start your day with a positive outlook rather than leaving it to chance. With the right outlook, the challenges you face daily will probably look more like opportunities instead of problems. Through my dad's work with Tony Robbins, who is famous for asking the right morning questions, I've compiled some of the best ones for you to use. 1) What am I most happy about today? 2) What am I most excited about today? 3) What am I most proud of? 4) What am I most grateful for? They are a wonderful tool in reshaping and developing a more positive attitude toward everything you do. At night when you retire, just before falling asleep, ask yourself these 2 evening questions to seal the day and prepare for the next one: 1) What did I learn today? 2) How did I contribute today? The evening questions are designed to recount the daily accomplishments that you might have otherwise forgotten about. The quality of your questions will determine the quality of your life experience. "If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one". ~Cavett Robert Everything starts with Attitude. You attract what you think about the most. Be careful. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin P.S. "When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long." ~Author Unknown Speaking of questions I'm finalizing my list of questions for my celebrity guest interview this weekend, will let you know how you can get a hold of it once it's done. Labels: Personal Development
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What makes a REAL Champion
 I was listening to Boxing Legend, Sugar Ray Leonard last night talking about what makes a real champion, it's not how many fights you've won, it's not how tough you think you are, it's the ability to take what you've learned in the ring and applying it outside the ring in your personal and professional life. This is the key and it's in perfect sync with our philosophy about training in the martial arts. LIFE is a combat, not what you see on TV. Every fighter out grows wanting to prove himself in a ring, cage or pit. The smart ones have already planned their exit strategy, and have lined up alternate ways of maintaining if not exceeding their standard of living after their fighting career is over. This is what I want for all the students of FSD. That you realize you possess a powerful tool to make every area of your life better. Just like you seek to improve every physical aspect of martial arts like speed, power, flexibility, flow, and endurance, the same energy needs to be invested in your personal development. Refusing to be average, facing fears head on, visualizing first - acting second, developing self-confidence, transfering the intensity you have when striking bags and targets to tackle any problem, task, project, work related issues, or new venture you might be undertaking. It is way more satisfying to me to see a student (whether in our schools or anywhere around the world who follows what we do because of the wonders of the internet) improve on a personal level through martial arts than to see a student let's say... apply a perfect cross body arm bar. Whatever life throws at martial artists, they will adjust, re-direct, counter, and roll with it, all the while finding a way to learn from it. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin P.S. Through a mutual friend of my father's, I've found another man who shares the same views about using martial arts as a means to improve every aspect of your life, he is very well known, his identity I will keep secret for now until the interview is complete, he was a very close friend of Bruce Lee. More details to follow....
P.P.S. "To follow through and revel in the smallest of successes, to realize the old you is nothing but a forgotten shadow, barely remembered apart from making fun of." Labels: Personal Development
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Never be a victim again
I couldn't help but to share this testimonial with you. It pretty much sums up everything I've been talking to you about and how training in a system like FSD which is focused on the student's personal development first and foremost will lead to more than just learning how to punch and kick like so many other martial art schools. Caution reading this will make you get off your butt and take some serious action. If you've been hesitating and putting it off, you know what to do, Start training in one of schools NOW. --- "I thought I was just going to learn how to defend myself! How wrong was I." Where do I begin? My life has done a complete 360 since joining Patenaude's Kung-Fu School. It took me some time to muster up the courage to start the training because of big emotional baggages holding me back. I've been a single parent since 1997. I was in a bad relationship. Intimidated, insulted and threatened. My partner at the time tried to strangle me when I was only 5 mths pregnant. This abuse destroyed my confidence and self-esteem. After having dealt with that situation and winning custody of my daughter I decided I was going to make a change and NEVER be a victim ever again. I flipped through the yellow pages and the ad that struck me the most was Patenaude's Kung-Fu School. I called, joined and started a journey of self-discovery and personal development that I wasn't expecting. Physically I was a mess. I could only do 3 girl push-ups (on my knees) and struggled to do 10 sit-ups. Now I can do 72 real push-ups in 2 minutes and 95 Sit-Ups in 2 minutes and those numbers are constantly going up. My flexibility was non existent. While standing and reaching for my toes, I couldn't get past my knees, now I can lay my palms flat on the floor with locked legs. The school taught me how to face every day challenges and find the good in any situation. I had the opportunity to put those lessons to work when the unimaginable happened. In 2004, I got diagnosed with a tumor in my Duodenum which I completely recovered from and suffered a detached retina in 2006, a genetic condition that runs in my family which I also recovered from and today enjoy the benefits of partner sparring drills without any fear. It took a while for my emotional scars to disappear. Whenever a student or instructor would demonstrate a choke defense and used me as an example, flashbacks would immediately emerge and reveal just how fragile I still was. Today those associations are a thing of the past. I feel confident in any hold or self-defense scenario and swear I will never let anyone take advantage of me or invade my private space ever again. The biggest surprise was how my training affected my work. I was always very negative, shy and unable to voice my opinions. If there were more than 4 people in a room I would immediately close my shell and disconnected from the conversation. That was before joining Fang Shen Do's Leadership and Masters Training. Today I enjoy being my company's project manager and in charge of support for our sales team which comprises over 80 people. I've enjoyed multiple salary increases and bonuses. I've been doing big presentations in front of groups and my peers can't help but notice how I've changed. Most hardly recognize me when they compare the new me to the old me. My new passion is teaching and helping other people reach for their goals. Creating strong bonds with students and helping them work on their individual challenges.  I never finished what I started before. Now I'm proud to say I'm a black belt, reaching for excellence in all areas of my life and nothing can stop my determination, passion and commitment. I will continue to enjoy my training along with my daughter who also trains with me. Thank You to Sijo, all the Sifus for their support and making a positive difference in my life." Thank You Sophie Bisson Administrative Assistant Montreal, Qc --- Thank You Sophie. There are many lessons to be learned from this e-mail. It should send a resounding message to you, "Take action, make no excuses, and the limitations you might face are entirely self-imposed, charge ahead and let nothing stand in your way". Master Yourself, Sifu Martin Labels: Personal Development
www.fangshendo.com
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Are you growing?
After having gone through our Training Camp this weekend I'm reminded of how unique the experience was. Something everyone should go through at least once in their life. Today I couldn't help but think about something my dad told me a long time ago. "In life you're either Growing or Stagnating." "Climbing or Sliding." "Living or Dying." Which one will it be for you? Are you constantly looking for ways to better yourself. Do you spend money on external/material things or do you invest in your internal/personal development? The quality of what you put IN will determine the quality of what you put OUT. This quote says it best: "Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning."~ Mahatma Gandhi Everyday should be an opportunity to learn and better yourself, our product section contains dozens of ways to do just that. Learn something new here. Are you sliding or climbing? Sifu Martin Labels: Attitude, Personal Development
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