The Long Game Versus the Short Game in ITF Taekwon-Do: Mastering the Balance
In ITF Taekwon-Do, as in life, success hinges on a delicate balance between vision and action. Jason Liem’s insights on the "Long Game" (LG) and "Short Game" (SG), explored in depth in his The Long vs. Short Game guide, resonate deeply with the philosophy of this martial art, where mastery is not a destination but a journey of incremental growth.
The Long Game: Vision and Purpose
The Long Game in Taekwon-Do represents our ultimate aspirations: earning a black belt or higher, perfecting a complex pattern, or embodying the tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit through a life long healthy and social TKD lifestyle. These goals inspire us, much like Jason’s "compass," providing direction and purpose. However, as Liem emphasizes in his guide, fixating solely on outcomes—like the elusive horizon—can breed frustration. Imagine a student obsessing over their next belt test while neglecting daily practice. The result? Stagnation, burnout, and a hollow sense of achievement.
The Short Game: The Power of Presence
The Short Game is where transformation happens. It’s the daily grind: refining a single kick, drilling footwork, morning pushups, or meditating to sharpen focus. In Jason’s terms, this is the "effort versus outcome" mindset, a concept he unpacks with actionable strategies in The Long vs. Short Game.
This philosophy isn’t just theoretical for Jason—it’s personal. During his private martial arts lessons with me (Roy Rolstad), we focused on bridging mental resilience with physical technique. Whether dissecting the biomechanics of a side kick or practicing ITF Radix selfdefense, Jason’s curiosity about the intersection of mindset and movement mirrored the principles he teaches. This training was a result of our collaboration earlier co-hosting workshops like THE BULLETPROOF MINDSET, where we merged cognitive strategies with practical self-defense to help participants build unshakable resilience.
In Taekwon-Do, the SG teaches us to control what we can. When sparring, you don’t win by fixating on victory but by executing precise techniques in the moment. As Liem notes, "Action is the antidote to inaction."
Reference Points: Hindsight and Compass
Taekwon-Do’s journey is measured by hindsight and guided by a compass—two pillars Liem discusses in his guide:
Hindsight: Reflect on progress. How has your stance improved? When did you last hesitate under pressure? Celebrate milestones, like mastering a once-daunting technique.
Compass: Regularly ask, "Is my training aligned with my values?" If your goal is self-discipline, does skipping practice serve that purpose?
Questions for Taekwon-Do Practitioners
When faced with plateaus or setbacks, ask Liem’s guiding questions, adapted for the dojang:
Long Game (Compass):
What does mastery mean to me?
How does today’s practice align with my purpose?
Short Game (Action):
What one technique can I refine today?
How can I improve my focus in this moment?
Hindsight Reflection:
How has my resilience grown since I started?
What lessons did my last grading teach me?
The Taekwon-Do Mindset
ITF Taekwon-Do thrives on the synergy of LG and SG. The black belt is not a finish line but a reminder to cherish the process. As Liem writes in his guide, "Effort sustains motivation; outcomes are mere milestones."
This balance between vision and action is something Jason and I explored deeply in our BULLETPROOF MINDSET workshop, where we combined his brain-based resilience frameworks with Taekwon-Do’s physical and mental disciplines. Participants learned to anchor their long-term goals (the compass) in daily, actionable steps (the short game), proving that resilience is forged not in theory, but in practice.
For a deeper dive into balancing ambition with mindful action, I highly recommend Jason Liem’s The Long vs. Short Game, a resource that mirrors the Taekwon-Do ethos of disciplined growth.
http://mindtalk.no/downloads/MINDtalk_Long%20vs.%20Short%20Game.pdf
Embrace the sweat, the repetition, and the quiet victories. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, remember: the path to mastery is paved not by leaps, but by steps.
"Focus on the journey, not the destination. In Taekwon-Do, every pattern is a lesson, every bruise a teacher, and every breath a chance to begin anew."
This article bridges Jason Liem’s framework with the ethos of ITF Taekwon-Do, offering practitioners a roadmap to balance ambition with mindful action.
Jason and Roy drilling knife defense outside during covid
Check out Jason W. B. Liem at http://mindtalk.no/