Lessons from a Kickboxer: How Strategy Shapes Success in Life and Research

During my visit to the US to present papers at conferences earlier this year, I had the chance to sit next to a professional kickboxer on an interstate flight. We chatted for a while during the flight, getting to know more about each other and what we do. When we landed, we found ourselves waiting at the car park for our friends to pick us up. With some spare time on our hands, we continued our conversation, and I learned more about her kickboxing career. She even gave me a brief lesson on kickboxing, which I found quite interesting and thought could be useful for self-defence.

At the time of drafting this post, I had just published the video of the lesson on YouTube and was now reflecting on the experience. One of the takeaways from my reflection is that before starting any new activity, it’s important to have a plan. Normally, you know this already—I’ve mentioned it before if you’ve been following my blog. In my case, I wanted to learn kickboxing within the short waiting time but knew nothing about the rules or strategies involved.

During the lesson, I lifted my leg to kick, but she corrected me because I wasn’t doing it right. She explained that proper leg positioning is crucial to avoid injury; your muscles should absorb the impact, not your bones. This was fascinating to me. I remembered watching a match where a kickboxer’s bone broke after a kick—possibly the femur—and it ended his career. He was a professional kickboxer and boxer, quite popular at the time, but his name escapes me now.

Moving on, let’s talk about strategy. Everything in life, especially professional endeavours, requires a strategy. Even in research, there’s a strategy from the proposal stage where you outline your methods and objectives. Writing itself can be challenging and also requires a strategy. For instance, the Pomodoro Technique is a strategic approach to productivity. You focus intensely on a task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, you take a longer break of 15 minutes.

So, the question you should ask yourself is, do you have a strategy? Often, we fail because we lack a clear strategy. Having a strategy means having a plan, and being strategic means being intentional and deliberate in your actions.

Top Three General Takeaways

1. Importance of Strategy: Success in any endeavour requires a clear strategy. Whether you’re learning a new skill like kickboxing or embarking on a professional project, having a well-thought-out plan is crucial.
2. Proper Technique and Safety: In any physical activity, understanding and applying the correct techniques is essential to prevent injuries. This principle can be extended to other areas of life where the right approach ensures better outcomes and safety.
3. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Even when you think you know something, there is always more to learn. Being open to new information and willing to adapt your methods is key to improvement and success.

Three Takeaways for PhD Students or Early Stage Researchers

1. Strategic Research Planning: Just like kickboxing requires a strategic approach, so does research. At the proposal stage, outline clear methods and objectives, and continually refine your strategy to achieve your research goals effectively.
2. Application of Techniques: In research, as in kickboxing, applying the correct techniques is crucial. Whether it’s data collection, analysis, or writing, mastering the necessary skills and methodologies will ensure your work is robust and credible.
3. Balancing Focus and Breaks: Adopt strategic productivity techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique, to maintain focus and efficiency. Breaking your work into focused intervals with regular breaks can enhance productivity and prevent burnout.

I recorded these reflections while driving so I could share them later as a blog. Having a strategy accelerates your progress towards your goals. Thank you for reading. Let me know what you’ve learned from this blog, and until then, keep strategising.