Understanding Effort
The dictionary defines effort as "The use of physical and/or mental energy to do something. Completing a task through exertion of strength or will power".
I think that this definition is much too simple. To understand true effort, you must have knowledge of how you function. There is a chain of command within yourself that you must be aware of to truly apply effort to any task or objective. Effort requires a unification of body, mind and spirit. The physical body obeys your mind, but the mind obeys the spirit. Therefore, to truly apply effort to anything, one must command the mind through the internal will of the spirit. The mind will then command the body to perform the task.
Effort does not mean "Try"! When a student says something like "All right, I will give it a try" he or she is not applying effort as the word "try" implies that you have fear of failure. With effort, you simply "Do or Do not, there is no try". With effort, there is no failure there is only learning and experience. If you apply maximum effort, you always maintain a perfect balance of give and take. What you perceive as a failure is only a temporary negative thought. In reality, it was a positive learning experience providing you with valuable knowledge of what not to do the next time you apply effort to the same task.
Effort in training relies on your skills of Focus and Concentration (Chung Shin Tong Il), paying full attention to only the present moment and having an unwavering belief and confidence in your abilities. When performing a form or "Hyung" this means focusing your mind and body on perfectly executing only the current technique. It does not matter what technique comes next or what technique preceded the current technique. Effort does not care if you are tired because the spirit never exhausts. Effort cuts through any and all such mental distractions with a laser like focus generated from sure spirit-power or will (Shim Kong). It does not matter if you did something improperly a few steps back. The Only thing that matters is performing the current technique to the best of your abilities! The same is true in practicing one step combinations (Il Soo Sik), self defense (Ho Sin Sool), sparing, standing at attention (Cha Ryut), bowing (Kyung Et) and all of the individual techniques called out by the teacher such as: blocking (Mahk Kee), striking (Kong Kyuk) and kicking (Cha Gi). Your mind must concentrate on only the task at hand in the present moment as each technique is born brand new and has not yet been performed. When you do this, you are applying true effort. Each technique is its own meditation (Muk Nyum) and through true effort, you simultaneously develop the connection of the mind to the body and the spirit to the mind, giving you great internal power (Nae Kong).
I sincerely hope that you find this definition enlightening and useful in your martial arts training and in your daily life. Make sure that the next time Kyo Sa Nim (Certified Instructor) or Sah Bahm Nim (Master Instructor) asks you to apply effort, that you fully consider what is actually being asked of you!
Best Wishes to You & Yours,
Daniel Ferrera
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