tcs-9 Level 1 Self-Control: Controlling your reactions

The Three Levels of Self-Control

To start learning how to apply Time Control Sports we must redefine self-control.

Level 1 Self-Control: Controlling your reactions

The normal paradigm for self-control (Level 1) revolves around a person not losing his composure or getting needlessly angry. Self-control is staying calm in stressful or dangerous situations; not going on lizard-brain auto-pilot when the fight or flight response kicks in.

In Time Control Sports this is merely where self-control starts. You will learn to take it to the next level.

Think about the progression of control you exert as you learn to ride a bike. At first, you lack control of the bike’s apparatus; you fall a lot, even get hurt. But once you learn to master control of the various elements of riding a bike — balance, grip, pedaling, braking — you never forget.

Take a second and compare your mastery of your fighting skills to riding a bike.  Think of the different elements of sparring. How much self-control do you exert when you spar? How often do you flail at your opponent just hoping to land a blow or block successfully? Your form may be correct, you know the moves, but you toss them out almost at random.

The Key:

The new paradigm for self-control is the ability to control every aspect of your reactions and behavior.

This allows you to minimize the effects negative situations have upon you, while maximizing the benefits and rewards you receive from positive situations. Though this course is about combat and/or competitive sports, the lessons roll over into all aspects of life.

What can you do with this level of self-control? Well, here’s what I did: I went from never being able to win a tournament to winning consistently.

But my use of TCS/CM went beyond martial arts. Outside the arena, I went from making about $150 a week less than I needed to pay the bills to being debt-free and earning a six-figure income working a real job (with real weekly paychecks) from my home with just a computer and phone. Sound idyllic? It’s all a matter of self-control. (For more details on how I did this, see my book be your own boss at your current job.)

Most people (especially those involved in martial arts) have already achieved a Level 1 control over their own behavior in the tournament ring, but TCS/CM mastery calls for more than that.