Man, I tell you, I stink at this email thing.
I get up, think about something interesting and useful to send your way, and…
That’s how it feels at times.
This is the reality of how the homerun hitter feels when he goes 0-4 with four strikeouts, or the professional singer who can no longer hit the notes, or the whirld famous television comedian who bombs over and over before a live audience.
This is the reality of success and failure. I call it humble-confidence. Or humble-courage. Getting out there and doing your thing while risking an unwelcome outcome.
Even when you’re great at something, you may think you suck, and this can be a good thing because one of the worst things you can do is think you’re so good that there’s no room for improvement.
Or even worse, you think you’re great when you’re not. You grossly inflate and overestimate your skills.
This isn’t about positive or negative self-talk or limiting beliefs. This is what is called the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
Here’s an example of Dunning-Kruger in full effect: Yesterday my wife went to play pickleball. Another woman straight-up asks her, “Are you good?”
My wife says, “I’m alright,” then she immediately redirects, “What about you? Are you good?”
“I’m really good,” the lady responds.
My wife then proceeds to wipe the floor with her for three-straight games, which led to the other lady wanting to team up with my wife.
So much for saying you’re good, eh?
Now, there is a time to roar the way lions do, to let others know what your true capabilities and skills are, but only when those skills can help others climb the ladder… otherwise, you’re better off keeping your pizza-hole shut.
When it comes to what I’ve accomplished as an athlete, fitness freak, martial artist, writer and so on, even though I don’t by any means think I’m even close to being the greatest, I do have to brag on myself sometimes as though I’m getting closer to greatness.
Even though bragging turns me off (except when Muhammad Ali did it) – I real-eyes I gots to doos its even whens I don’ts wants toos. Tis duh facts.
Anyway, here’s the situation when it comes to my Badass Tai Chi course. I am not the greatest tai chi practitioner nor have I ever hinted about being the greatest, but I iz a guru as a martial artist. That is a fact.
I am also someone who devoted a lot of time, many, many years, finding out what the insider secrets are, and how they work, and unlike many of my teachers, I bring you the benefits in clear, understandable, unbroken, unfiltered and unexpurgated detail.
In short, if you get up in the morning and practice along with me (via the course), your day will feel as though you were gliding in the wind.
And if you practice before bedtime, you may sleep so soundly and have dreams so vivid that you set out to write the next Great Gaffsby, or paint the next Moaning Lisa.
It’s possible.
Tai Chi does a body, and a mind, a whole lotta good.
Matt Furey
