It’s been more than a week, heck it’s been more than two since my last update. In that time frame, I was very fortunate. I started a new career, which is very exciting. I’m still working my old job though, so I currently have two jobs(plus here of course). I think I’ve hit a wall that a lot of players hit at some point in their regimen, and it’s a tall one. It’s called life, and it can be really hard to climb over it.
Don’t get me wrong. I am incredibly fortunate to have what I have in life right now. I would not change my professional life at all right now. This does however present a problem with my Evo training regimen. I’m working 57 hours this week, around the same next week, maybe more the week after. However, just like anything else, the free time I have is mine to use as I please. I am still going to the gym at least four times a week. I don’t skip that. It’s my decision. Here’s a few things that have really sunk in these last few weeks:
- It isn’t your life obligations’ fault that you don’t train enough, for the most part it’s yours. I could have chosen to practice instead of working out. That’s at least six hours a week. Everyone has something they do, like working out, that they could give up, but won’t.
- Time management is a skill that is so important to a training regimen. It is also a skill that most people don’t have great mastery over, myself included. I could have woken up earlier one day to practice, gone to sleep a bit later maybe? The chances are there, I just have to plan for them better.
- Playing and practicing at home is great, but it is not the same as playing against live opponents. I’ve only gone to one live event these last three weeks, and while I can feel myself getting a little better at some things, I feel like I’m getting worse in more important fundamentals.
Yeah, I’m beating myself up a bit. I say I want to be ready and represent well at Evo, but I haven’t been managing my time as well as I should be. Sure, my current situation isn’t ideal for this type of regimen, but in the end I’m the one who decides what to do with my time. Now here are some things I think I really haven’t heard anyone say to me with regards to training:
- Be rested. Be energetic. I practiced a bit today, while I was very tired. As I played Marvel, I felt my reactions were as quick as they would be in AE. Not what I wanted. I was dropping combos more than a drunken clown drops balls. I should have taken a nap, and practiced for one hour not so tired versus two hours exhausted.
- Avoid distractions. Get in the zone. I have a bad habit of playing with my phone right next to me. I should stop doing that. I need to think about the match right after it ends, not look at my damn Facebook or Twitter, or email even.
Regardless, I will continue to be busy, but now it’s up to me to figure out how I want this to go. I will take some time to plan things out versus trying to fit in training whenever I have a free slot. I have to be more efficient. Oh and I haven’t forgotten my earlier promises. I will be sharing what I think I need to improve on my game soon enough. That next diary entry will come very soon. If you are also on the Evo grind, keep at it. We still have a month left. Go for broke!