Often, martial artists or those engaged in athletic endeavours will reach a plateau. In addition, they may find that their rate of improvement dramatically slows down. The tricky question is whether one is willing to put in the work necessary to achieve a 1% or 2% improvement in their performance. In other words, is an incremental improvement worth it?

If you are not able to view this video, click here.

For some, seeing only incremental improvement in their overall performance does not seem worth the effort. I think it’s worth it because incremental improvement adds up over time.

The above video by Jordan Peterson reinforces my viewpoint. As he points out, a half percent per day is perhaps a 100% improvement in four years.

Let’s say your performance improves (admittedly, when it comes to martial arts, this can be subjective) by 1% or 2% each year for the next 20 years. You are looking at a substantial improvement over a prolonged period.

While this is easy to understand intellectually, it’s harder to put in the effort over a sustained period. But it can be done, and it is noticeable. For example, look at videos of Professor Remy A. Presas in the 1970s and compare them to the videos he made in the late 1990s. One can see a very noticeable difference in his performance level. His movements became much more refined, subtle, and efficient than 25 years earlier. His timing, rhythm, and body management were just superb.

The great thing about incremental improvements is that they are long-lasting. It’s safe to assume that the incremental changes come from hours of practice, aided by instruction and self-discovery, and tend to be more ingrained. Naturally, this goes to the question of motivation and desire to practice when you know that improvement may be only incremental. But it’s worth the effort!

Additional Reading