# Stop Judging Yourself!

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/
- Published: 2016-09-19T21:44:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

I often see students judge themselves harshly after they have messed up a technique
or cannot instantly master a new technique. Their facial expressions often betray
their internal thinking process. “_God, I’m so stuuuupid!_” When this happens, I
tell them “stop judging yourself!”

If you are not able to view the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/PV3_UHG73oQ).

Let me cut to the chase. The quality of your technique or the lack thereof does 
not reflect your worth as a human being. Not even close.

I know. Believe it or not, I went through this stage years ago. Whenever I executed
a technique that didn’t come out right, I felt embarrassed. “_Aw fuck, what was 
that?_” This feeling was heightened when I evaluated myself on video on those bulky
1980s VCRs back in the day. “_For Gawd’s sake, who is that joke of a martial artist?!_“

Add in the fact that I was often only deaf/hard of hearing person for much of my
post-Clarke School days and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb.

## The funny thing is that no one probably paid much attention to my errors or didn’t think much of them. It was all in my head. Having recently turned 52 and looking back on those days, I shake my head at the bullshit percolating in my head. I wish I had the 󠀁[wisdom to tell myself ](https://brianejohns.com/2019/10/21/blog-self-permission/)󠁿“_stop judging yourself_!”

In this day and age of selfies and videos, most folks want to be seen in the best
light. For some, being seen in less than their best light is a horrible moment. 
Performing techniques incorrectly in class constitutes a complete disaster for some.“
_OMG, that was fucking horrible. I’m terrible!_“

With age (52) comes wisdom. I now shake my head at my youthful self and say “_Come
on man, that was all bullshit_.”

A technique is just a technique, nothing more. Once you start putting value judgments
on techniques (“_that sucked,” “WTF was that?_” etc.), your ability to improve will
become more difficult.

Instead, look at your techniques neutrally. Simply say to yourself “_I need to practice
this more_” without judgment.

Take the problematic technique and practice without berating yourself a la Chris
Farley. Further,  do not attach any judgment to the technique. If you worry about
how you look to others, you’re giving other folks rent-free space in your head. 
Screw them. You should only be concerned with your progress.

### I wager that you will find 󠀁[practice much more enjoyable](https://brianejohns.com/2020/11/24/blog-the-joy-of-learning/)󠁿 if you leave out the Chris Farley beratement crap. ?

### Have any of you gone through this stage? If you care to, share your stories!

## Additional Reading

 * [Self Permission](https://brianejohns.com/2019/10/21/blog-self-permission/)
 * [Archie Moore’s Crossed Guard](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/)
 * [There Are No Fucking Secrets!](https://brianejohns.com/2021/03/01/blog-there-are-no-fucking-secrets/)
 * [Friday Recommendation #7 – Maija Soderholm Interview](https://brianejohns.com/2021/04/30/blog-friday-recommendation-7-maija-soderholm/)
 * [Two Killer Check Hand Drills](https://brianejohns.com/2021/10/25/blog-two-killer-check-hand-drills/)

### Share this post:

 * [  X ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/?share=twitter)
 * [  Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/?share=facebook)
 * [  LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/?share=linkedin)
 * [  Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/?share=threads)
 * [  WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/?share=jetpack-whatsapp)
 * [  Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Stop%20Judging%20Yourself%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2016%2F09%2F19%2Fblog-stop-judging-yourself%2F&share=email)
 * [  Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/#print?share=print)

### Like this:

Like Loading…

### _Related_