How do you get yourself motivated to train/practice at home?

Question

I live in small town and drive two hours one way to train in a particular discipline (Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan) with a particular instructor. I train with my instructor 2x/month with each training session lasting about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I started training in this discipline when I lived in Michigan and wanted to continue training when I moved to Texas. There just aren't many SBDMDK studios close to my town. My instructor was the only person to offer an alternative training schedule to help me earn my Cho Dan or black belt. I love training with my instructor and feel that I put my heart into every training session. My problem is that I know I need to practice on my own for several reasons (I'm a 4th Gup getting reading to test for 3rd Gup; the only way to improve technique is to practice; the more you practice the more natural your moves become, etc...) but I'm having difficulty doing this on my own. I always think about what I've learned from my instructor, review my Korean, watch training videos of instructors and myself but I never initiate the physical part of training independently. I know that just thinking about my training isn't enough and that I need to physically train. Occasionally, I've just bit the bullet and forced myself to practice. Once I did this, I felt better both internal and externally but I get upset with myself because I have to put so much energy just to make myself practice. Is it always this difficult? Does practicing ever become second nature? Is this a "normal" experience for students of martial arts? I think once I can accept that physical training is a must and make it a part of my life, then I will no longer find ways to avoid practicing. Have any of you had similar issues? What did/do you do for motivation?

Looking forward to hearing from martial arts practicioners.

Answer 1

You don't "get yourself motivated."

Either you are or you are not.

Answer 2

watch this video, then you will be really motivated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AemCeiuI...

Answer 3

I have the same problem as you do. Its very hard to train by yourself. I tried to get my friend into it, but he just wouldnt budge. It takes extrodinary self-discipline to train by yourself even if you love the art. Because it seems that you (not you specifically, but in general) need someone there to help give you that boost or you just get bored after awhile donig things on your own and you need someone there to talk to or to train with or even to fool around when your taking a breather.

What you should do is find a family member or a friend to train with you. But if you can't then play a little music when yoru training it will atleast give you something to hear when your training instead of dead silence. I know it hard and I'm trying to do train by myself at home too, and it gets very difficult I'm in the same spot as you are. Good luck!  

Answer 4

I fell in love with the martial arts at a very early age, pre-1968, and naturally gravitated to Judo, Karate, and Jiu-Jitsu and have been enthralled ever since.

I am naturally motivated to study Budo the way Einstein was naturally motivated to study Physics, it either comes naturally or it don't.

I have absolutely no interest in sports what-so-ever.  But the martial arts is inherent in me.