loki09789
Senior Master
I was just wondering about what little time saving and 'automatic' habits people have trained into their daily routine that could make the difference under pressure.
I started thinking of this when I realized that I don't have to tell myself to memorize the buttons on my remote starter. I just did it out of habit. It is more convenient when your hands are full to be able to find the right button strictly by touch but that could really be a time saver in a real life crisis as well.
The same thing with getting keys into locks. I tend to put my left thumb just above the keyhole. Before or while that is going on, with out looking (as long as it is a key that I use all the time), I find the key on the ring and flip the key to the right orientation (teeth up or down depending on the lock) and check by feeling the teeth with my Right thumb.
In the case of a car ignition, I will use the same touch-find method, but I use the index finger of the hand holding the key (usually the right) to find the ignition and then the touch the tip of the key to that same finger than then slide it into the ignition from there. Helps alot when it is dark in the car or I am really tired in the morning.
Then it is just a matter of putting my hands together and slipping the key into the lock.
These 'details' allow me to keep my focus outward instead of inward (on the key instead of the parking lot or what ever) and also keep me moving smoothly and quickly so that I am not a sitting duck.
Please don't think that this is paranoia as much as 'everyday martial arts logic' when I bring this up. If we make punching/kicking techniques smooth and effortless with practice, it makes sense to try and make every motion smooth and effortless. I don't walk around expecting every moment to be my last, but I do go around thinking that the little details that I do could help or hinder my ability to survive a possible attack.
I started thinking of this when I realized that I don't have to tell myself to memorize the buttons on my remote starter. I just did it out of habit. It is more convenient when your hands are full to be able to find the right button strictly by touch but that could really be a time saver in a real life crisis as well.
The same thing with getting keys into locks. I tend to put my left thumb just above the keyhole. Before or while that is going on, with out looking (as long as it is a key that I use all the time), I find the key on the ring and flip the key to the right orientation (teeth up or down depending on the lock) and check by feeling the teeth with my Right thumb.
In the case of a car ignition, I will use the same touch-find method, but I use the index finger of the hand holding the key (usually the right) to find the ignition and then the touch the tip of the key to that same finger than then slide it into the ignition from there. Helps alot when it is dark in the car or I am really tired in the morning.
Then it is just a matter of putting my hands together and slipping the key into the lock.
These 'details' allow me to keep my focus outward instead of inward (on the key instead of the parking lot or what ever) and also keep me moving smoothly and quickly so that I am not a sitting duck.
Please don't think that this is paranoia as much as 'everyday martial arts logic' when I bring this up. If we make punching/kicking techniques smooth and effortless with practice, it makes sense to try and make every motion smooth and effortless. I don't walk around expecting every moment to be my last, but I do go around thinking that the little details that I do could help or hinder my ability to survive a possible attack.