Since January 2004, I have kept a daily log of everything I have practiced as it pertains to the martial arts. I access and save my log on a Word file, which allows for easy accessibility and data entry.
It is relatively easy to remember what one has done in the past week or so. But keeping a log will allow you to do so much more. By logging your practice time, you can make sure that you are balancing out your training routine, by spending ample time on material throughout all of the belt ranks. Typically, for example, the majority of one’s practice time is in what they teach regularly, or perhaps what they can get through in a short period of time in today’s fast pace society. But logging allows you to see where you have not devoted enough time. So, if you are a 1st degree black belt, for example, you may see that you have practiced Short Form 2 perhaps 30 times full-out this year, but have only practiced Long Form 3 or Long Form 4 say 5 times. If this is the case, this should encourage you to devote the next few days or perhaps weeks to really fine-tune Long Forms 3 and 4.
By logging my practice time, I make sure that I have practiced all 96 extensions at regular speed at least every month, in addition to all of the base techniques. I also make sure that I have practiced my sets and forms several times monthly. I also keep track of how many days I have taught Kenpo throughout the year (if you want to modify this, you could keep track of how many classes that you have taught, for example). I keep track of all of my weapons forms and empty hand forms that I know from other martial art styles (typically Kung Fu), as well as drills practiced, and how many days I spar in a given month.
Since January 2006, I have even kept track of how many days per month (or year) I have practiced Kenpo Karate one hour or longer. This really helps me train harder and to set goals. In 2006, I practiced 318 out of 365 days for one hour or longer, and I am “dead set” on beating that this year!!
In short, I really encourage everyone to log his or her mat time. Also, let me know of any ideas that you come up with that are worth logging as well.
