From a self-defense point of view, having more than one options during different phases of a conflict is important:
- Increases your chance of a desirable outcome
- Gives you confidence
- Allows you to be unpredictable in terms of response and delivery
- Allows you to be adaptive to circumstance, space, surface, etc.
To enable choices:
- Timely decisions – understand the mechanics of a decision is important (e.g. timing, implications, complexity, trade-offs, risks)
- Develop a broad physical base and not be obsessed with specific preferences. This applies to flexibility, stamina, etc.
- Be adaptive and reduce self-limiting factors. Stay loose because tension takes away reaction time, mobility and adaptability and therefore choices. Free yourself from any ego driven decisions.
- Efficiency – smart use of resources means that they will last longer. Understanding the physics and reasons behind a skill or strategy are important.
- Simulate and experiment with different scenarios and movement patterns will increase comfort level.
- Have a fallback plan – what if the original plan didn’t work out, do you have any backup options?
- Start now and have the self-discipline to follow through with plan.
Wouldn’t it be nice to say that I am here because it was my choice (and not because that is the only option available)? In life, freedom of choice can be realized through:
- Accept your starting point – everyone is different. Being unhappy about what you cannot change is a disservice to yourself. Get over it and figure out choices you can make happen.
- Hard work – as an example, study hard and have more choices of job or universities – this is a decision that must be made today and not when you need a job.
- Healthy lifestyle – bad eating habits leads to obesity. It affects your energy level and therefore activity level, mobility and confidence. Studies have shown that active individuals live healthier, happier, longer.
- Learn to enjoy simple non-material things so you do not become an addict to money, power and other substances. Being a slave to those things takes away choices.
- Strong interpersonal skills open up new opportunities. Furthermore, never burn your bridges because the world is smaller than you think!
- Keeping promises (to yourself and others) – it changes how you feel about yourself as well as how others feel about you. Don’t just dream and talk about it – do something about it.
Exercise or follow-ups (again email me your answers and thoughts):
- Is there a systematic way to come up with alternatives / options? Describe the process.
- What is the potential risk of having too many options? How do you reduce that risk if any?
- After talking about options and alternatives, what do you think is the next logical step or topic?
Keeping options open