Thinking outside the box

Thinking outside the box: a martial and personal approach

Introduction: What is 'thinking outside the box'?

We often hear the expression "thinking outside the box", which means breaking out of traditional patterns, questioning established norms and finding innovative solutions. But in the context of martial arts and personal development, it's much more than that: it's a real state of mind, a way of approaching learning, progress and even everyday life.

Let's take a few examples:

• Bruce Lee revolutionised the martial arts by incorporating techniques from various styles into his Jeet Kune Do, refusing to limit himself to a single school.
• Miyamoto Musashia famous samurai, developed his own approach to combat, rejecting established dogmas and adapting his techniques to suit his opponents.
• Entrepreneurs and innovatorsElon Musk and Steve Jobs have challenged entire industries by completely rethinking existing models.

In this article, I'm going to explain why and how to adopt this mentality, how it helped me realise my own project, and how it can be applied to teaching and learning martial arts.

The importance of the basics in martial arts

In the martial arts, many schools follow a highly structured programme where you systematically start at the bottom, whatever your initial level. It's a model that may suit some people, but not necessarily everyone.

With a good base, it's not necessarily necessary to start from scratch in every discipline. However, the "French" programme, which requires you to start from scratch, can be seen as advantageous for clubs, but not always for practitioners.

Adapting to different disciplines

Take the example of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a black belt in combat samboI preferred foot-fist. However, in JJB, my level in this discipline is not enough to compensate for the technical gap. So it seems logical to me to start again with a white belt and to build new foundations adapted to this style.

However, in the Krav MagaThe reasoning is different. After just a few courses, I felt it would be counterproductive to start from scratch, especially given the original aim of this discipline: to provide fast, effective training for a military audience.

Choosing an effective approach

So I explored several styles and looked for the one that suited me best. Lior Offenbach quickly emerged as the Krav Maga reference that matched my vision.

Curious, I asked if it was possible to go straight into the instructor course without having practised Krav Maga beforehand. The answer? Yes, under certain conditionsThese include a black belt in a recognised combat sport. My experience in combat sambo was validated, and I was able to join the course.

Intensive, practical training

It was an intense week of training: not only did I learn techniques, but above all I acquired a real understanding of how to use them. genuine education to pass them on, which is rare in an instructor's curriculum.

This does not mean that traditional approaches are bad, but simply that we need to adapting your learning based on what is really effective and logical.

A practical guide to thinking outside the box

Adopting a flexible and innovative mindset doesn't happen overnight. It's essential to practise thinking outside the box. Here are some practical exercises to stimulate your creativity and adaptability:

1. Practise seeing several solutions to the same problem

When faced with a challenge, avoid rushing headlong into the first solution that comes to mind. Instead, try to list in at least three different ways to solve the problem.

Example:

• In combat, rather than always countering a direct blow in the same way, explore several ways of responding (dodging, blocking, rapid counter-attack, etc.).
• In everyday life, if you're looking for a new way to train, try out different methods before choosing the one that suits you best.

2. Experimenting with completely different sports or disciplines to stimulate creativity

Staying locked into a single discipline often limits your vision. By experimenting with other martial arts or even sports totally unrelated to your field, you develop a more global and adaptable approach.

Example:

• If you do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, try English boxing to improve your standing game.
• If you're a Muay Thai specialist, an introduction to judo or wrestling will help you deal with hand-to-hand combat in a different way.
• Even outside sport, taking an interest in disciplines such as improvisational theatre can sharpen your ability to react quickly to unexpected situations, or training in NLP, hypnosis or non-violent communication to manage de-escalation and strengthen your communication toolbox.

3. Develop the ability to learn quickly by regularly changing environment or method

Adaptability is a key skill. One of the best ways to work on it is to voluntarily change your habits.

Example:

• Change coach or club from time to time to see different teaching approaches.
• Practise technical exercises in an unusual order or under difficult conditions (tiredness, low light, under pressure...).
• Try out different learning methods, such as watching videos by experts, reading specialist books or practising on your own in the great outdoors.

These exercises are not just for martial arts. They also apply to personal and professional development. The more you vary your experiences, the more quickly you'll be able to adapt to any situation.

An educational approach that breaks the mould

Martial arts teaching is often very codified: one or two classes a week, slow, linear progression... This format doesn't suit me. Rather than teaching an hour a week to people who stagnate for years, I prefer an intensive model where you progress quickly and efficiently.

My approach:

• Working in immersion taking on novice students and helping them to make intensive progress over several hours a day.
• Testing, adjusting, innovating Learning must be dynamic, not stuck in old dogmas.
• Personalise teaching Every student is different, and the method has to be adapted to suit their needs and abilities.

If you are teaching or learning a martial art, ask yourself: am I progressing in the most effective way? Am I locked into a pre-established pattern? Dare to step outside the circle and experiment.

Thinking outside the box: a lever for the future of the martial arts

Emerging trends

With globalisation and access to information, the martial arts are evolving. More and more teachers are adopting hybrid and personalised methods.

Why not create your own style?

Rather than simply being a consumer of a method, why not innovate and experiment with your own system of learning and transmission?

Daring to think differently: my project in Thailand

The project I set up with my family is a perfect illustration of this mentality (see article). Many people see obstacles where none really exist. But it all starts with a simple idea and a methodical examination of the possibilities.

When I decided to take my children to Thailand for two months of schooling, here are the steps I followed:

1. Check whether there is a French international school in the country.
2. Contact theinternational school in Thailand to see if it was possible.
3. Once they have been validated, apply for theauthorisation for the French school.
4. Book accommodation and organise logistics.
5. Announcing our project to those around us... and hearing the same question over and over again: "Oh really, is that possible?"

This project shows that the main obstacle is often mental. It's not that it's impossible, it's just that nobody bothers to try!

Passing on the legacy: opening up horizons for the next generation

One of the fundamental aspects of this trip to Thailand was also transmission, particularly to my daughter. My aim was to "open her chakras", to enable her to understand for herself what it means to think outside the box.

And what better way to do this than with an extended stay abroad? Unlike a two- or three-week holiday, full immersion means really adapting to the country. Going to an international school, the local way of life, interacting with people from all over the world... all this forces you out of your comfort zone.

This type of experience is enriching for every member of the family. You don't just visit a country, you live there. You learn to deal with different habits, to interact differently, to see the world from a new angle. And that's exactly what mental flexibility is all about.

Conclusion: adopt a pioneering mentality

Thinking outside the box means refusing to be limited by arbitrary conventions. It means constantly questioning, experimenting and adapting. Whether in the martial arts, personal development or life in general, this mentality will enable you to achieve things that others would consider impossible.

So be daring! Invent, innovate, test, and above all, move forward with determination. Because often, the only thing holding you back... is yourself.

If you want to read other articles in the same style, click here. here 😉