Sunday, January 17, 2010

Pushing on a Rope Part 2

In response to a request for an example of "pushing someone's rope" I offer the following examples. While I am applying the "pushing a rope" saying to Nabard students, the same can be said for all parts of our lives.

Example 1: A Nabard student of at least few months has been exposed to numerous training techniques and intensities. This student progresses a little beyond their point of beginning (level of ability/fitness) and have plateaued. Although this student continues to attend classes, he or she begins to coast along without pushing further in their development. No matter how much effort fellow classmates put into helping the student along through encouragement and leadership, the student does not come to class mentally or physically prepared to engage at the needed level. These students also tend to be difficult to work with as they are indirectly being a detriment to those students that are working hard. Often these students do not push themselves in relation to speed, flexibility, or strength. Through their inaction or lack of effort they have resisted progression, and because everyone is a rope, they can't be pushed into it.

Example 2: A Nabard student of any length of time recognizes that there will always be something to learn and areas where improvement can be made. This student approaches classes with an understanding that they will work very hard, and will likely be exhausted when the class is over. For this student, training with others is focused on mutual growth and benefit, as well as the understanding that their actions will have an effect on others. These students typically do not need prodding or encouragement to work hard. While there is always need for direction and instruction, drive and enthusiasm is not needed from an outside source. These students allow themselves to be led, while acknowledging and working within their own abilities. These students are also the most faithful to attend class and have the better attitudes while working hard. The idea that they are not making headway in their own progression is troublesome and they therefore seek advice and leadership from others. These students tend to pull and tug the information and growth out of others. They are using their "rope" for what it is intended.

3 comments:

  1. At the same time, while it is important that no one is attempting to "push his rope," especially in Case 1, I think it is important that no one is "pulling his chain." By this I mean, senior students are in a unique position to offer criticism, which can be beneficial to more junior students, and I think it is important that senior students not give less experienced students a false sense of security by being disproportionately generous with praise. Rope pushers may benefit from having it pointed out to them that they are coasting since today's culture of learners is such that they may not even be aware that they are rope pushers. Not all students are self-conscious (or self-motivated) learners, much to my frustration. At least this is my experience in my own academic teaching.

    I'm certainly not arguing that it is the job of senior students to motivate the others, but they, the senior students, have an outside perspective to offer, as they have been where that junior student has been and they have seen many others both progress and stagnate. They know the rewards of hard work, and they know that it comes only when one pushes oneself to one's own limits. They occupy a valuable well-informed vantage point with respect to the junior student's progress from which to offer (critical) guidance--a vantage point unavailable to the student who has not been there to witness his own progress and the progress of other students through Nabard.

    Just my two cents here as a teacher and junior Nabard student.

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  2. Pushing or pulling. Its seems we are loooking for a way out? There is always some one who wants to be in class and there always someone who just attend. We need to find the passion for the activities in our lives. We live not to endure, but to live our passion. Effort put forth without the misery of excuses. What makes us go? Pain, misery, attention? I hope not. To prepare ourselves for a moment hopefully never happens. We must endure in order to be prepared. Must have the will and drive--passion.

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  3. You also have to remember that you are there for yourself and no one else. And that you are there to learn, not just moves that look good or to just get into shape, but how to protect yourself and to learn the art of combat for that is what Nabard is. Criticism and motivation from others is good but in the end it comes down to you and how far you are willing to push yourself. You should be your main motivator and not rely so much on others, for people come and go but you are always there.

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