Progress and Frustration

Aikido training may sometimes be very frustrating. Learning to cope with this frustration is also a part of the training.

If you find yourself trapped in any type of frustration, observe yourself to determine the root cause of your frustration and any dissatisfaction with your progress.

How do you observe yourself?

Start by asking yourself awareness generating questions, like:

Where is this frustration coming from?

When does this frustration begin to show up?

What happens just before I notice that I'm frustrated?

Sometimes the cause of frustration is our natural tendency to compare ourselves with other students.

Isn't this a form of competition?

Certainly, it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy and admire the capabilities and progress of other students, and even to strive to emulate them, but guard against allowing envy to boil up by comparing to the point of self-criticism and resentment.