Sam Parr

Sam Parr's Anti-MBA Learning Machine

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Learning Plan: Learning how to sword fight

Alright, let's dive into mastering sword fighting with the ANTI-MBA method. This is going to be fun!

1. Breaking it Down: Learning Sword Fighting in a Nutshell

Imagine you're playing a game of tag with a friend, but instead of running, you're using a sword. The goal is to tag your friend without getting tagged back. You need to be fast, sneaky, and have some cool moves. Sword fighting is like a strategic game of tag with swords, where you learn different moves to outsmart your opponent.

2. Core Mental Models

Here are 3-4 mental models to help you grasp sword fighting:

  1. Pareto Principle: Focus on the 20% of moves that will give you 80% of the results. In sword fighting, this means mastering a few key techniques that will cover most situations.

  2. OODA Loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. This model helps you make quick decisions in the heat of the moment. Observe your opponent, orient yourself to their position, decide on a move, and act swiftly.

  3. Feedback Loop: Continuously improve your skills by getting feedback from practice. Watch videos, take classes, and spar with others to improve your techniques.

  4. Visualization: Imagine yourself winning before you even start. Visualizing your success can boost your confidence and improve your performance.

3. Must-Know Concepts

These are the essential concepts to get started:

  1. Stances: Different stances help you balance and position yourself for various attacks.

  2. Basic Attacks: Learn the fundamental attacks like the cut, thrust, and parry.

  3. Defense: Understand how to block and deflect incoming attacks.

  4. Footwork: Good footwork is key to staying agile and quick during a fight.

4. High-Impact Resources

Here are three killer resources to get you started:

  1. "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu: This classic book on strategy will help you think about sword fighting as a game of strategy, not just physical moves. It covers concepts like knowing your opponent and yourself, choosing the right terrain, and using deception.

  2. "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi: This book is a practical guide to sword fighting and strategy. It covers stances, basic attacks, and defense techniques.

  3. "The Sword in the Stone" by T.H. White: This book is a fun read that also teaches you about sword fighting through the story of King Arthur. It covers visualization, feedback loops, and the Pareto principle in a more entertaining way.

5. Get-Your-Hands-Dirty Tasks

Here are three actionable tasks to skyrocket your understanding:

  1. Practice Stances: Spend 10 minutes a day practicing different stances in front of a mirror. This will help you develop muscle memory and improve your balance.

  2. Shadow Fencing: Practice your attacks and defense moves in front of a mirror or with a partner. This will help you visualize your moves and improve your technique.

  3. Spar with Others: Join a local fencing club or find a sparring partner. Real practice will help you apply what you've learned and improve faster.

6. The Ultimate Test

Your ultimate test is to participate in a local fencing tournament. This will give you real-world experience and help you apply everything you've learned. It's like the final boss battle in your sword fighting game!

7. Flashcards for Rapid Recall

Here are five key questions and answers to help you recall important concepts:

  • Question: What is the Pareto Principle in sword fighting? Answer: Focus on the 20% of techniques that give 80% of the results.

  • Question: What is the OODA Loop? Answer: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act – a model for making quick decisions.

  • Question: What are the basic attacks in sword fighting? Answer: Cut, thrust, and parry.

  • Question: Why is footwork important? Answer: Footwork helps you stay agile and quick during a fight.

  • Question: What is the Feedback Loop in practice? Answer: Continuously improve by getting feedback from practice and sparring.

8. Common Pitfalls

Here are two common misconceptions to avoid:

  1. Overthinking: Don’t overthink your moves. Sword fighting is as much about instinct and muscle memory as it is about strategy. Trust your training and react instinctively.

  2. Undertraining: Sword fighting is physically demanding. Make sure you're training regularly to build your endurance and strength.

So, there you have it With these tools, you'll be well on your way to becoming a sword fighting master. Remember, the key is to focus on the juice worth the squeeze and keep practicing. Happy fencing

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