The learning plateau

In any focussed skill development, there will be surges and lulls of progress. Sometimes these don't seem to even line up with something that makes obvious sense: "I used to do x and y happened, now x or even 2x still doesn't give me the increase." At these times you need to do something different, maybe even do nothing, stop doing it all together. But importantly, keep hold of the desire to excel, even if the motivation changes.

Here's something I wrote for someone having this trouble recently;
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Regarding the feeling of plateau, that's really common and something you will experience several times in your path to knighthood. You're like a multi-stage rocket headed for space, the first stage has just finished and the feeling of acceleration you've gotten used to is missing while you stabilise and prepare for the next, more subtle but just as powerful stage to kick in and accelerate you again. I know you compare yourself to others, but like the rocket, you're on a different path and have a different construction so while they appear to be getting ahead now, it may just be perspective making it look that way, or they just had a bigger first stage than you that you have a good chance of overtaking in later stages when they've run out of puff. So keep hope. In the meantime, there is something active you can do. Take yourself back to basics and re-learn them but with more intent and precision. I've read and re-read the various fighting handbooks out there and each time I learn something new, something I've learned wrong and something that I've just gotten lazy on. This is as much a mental exercise as an actual lesson, it's the start of looking at yourself in the context of yourself.

Entering Crown Tournament Pt2

Below is response No2 to what is becoming an FAQ chat.
In this one:
- What if I actually win? $'s, politics, current office responsibilities
- I don't want to miss the chance to fight the visiting top-guns

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I believe when entering you should be morally/emotionally willing to reign should you win, even if you have no idea how the hell to make it work. This is also something you need to take as a bit of a risk analysis. What's the REAL likelihood of winning? Rest assured that the tourney can and will be re-scheduled if something happens to a majority of the entrants. It's only fair to them and is in the interests of the kingdom.

Now say you have a GREAT day and everyone else is not and you do win. This puts you in the awesome and scary position of becoming rapidly famous. This will give you a whole heap of credit and attract a lot of support from across the kingdom which will help you fulfill the reign. If nothing else, all you have to do is send an email to the Peers lists and say "Help!!". Naturally there will be detractors, but that happens with every reign, some people just like to complain and chop down tall poppies.
Part of that support will also be political/emotional support to help deal with that aspect of the reign. I'd suggest talking to your favourite local peers and ask them directly if they would help with _advice and networking_ if you did win.

Regarding your consorts office as . It is a commitment, one that deserves serious regard and appropriate management. However, this can be quite easy if there is a good positive vibe in the group. Arranging with someone to be prepared to act as deputy should she win can be a good way to help people feel included. Plus imagine the vibe of "one of ours won!"

To balance out my "Yes, enter!" rave, if you do decide not to enter there will still be the chance to fight and train with the visiting top-guns, especially if you ask ahead of time (try "lochac fighters" email list) and help set-up an organised opportunity to do so. Naturally you need to be flexible with timing and access to particular people depending on what happens on the day.

Entering Crown Tournament

I'm a great proponent for people entering crown lists as I believe that the crown tournament is pivotal for so many things in our game. Some time ago I sent a challenge to all peers to band together and support people to enter the lists. My rationale being that with approximately 30 active knights, 60 active Pelicans and 60 active Laurels, groups of five (1k, 2P, 2L) and their support networks should be able to support the knight or someone in his place to enter the lists.
Surprisingly I received most response from non-peers, and some negative responses from a few peers.
My intent is not that people enter into onerous financial obligations to make it happen, rather that "sponsorship" takes the form of minor tangible and significant moral support for combatant and consort, with a pledge of support to help them during the reign should they win.

This post was prompted by a letter I received asking for advice regarding entering.

My response is below, which captures my central reasoning;

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My first and simple response is YES, do it!
There are several reasons to enter.

For the Kingdom: So much revolves around those who are our King and Queen, and often the tone of the reign is set by the manner in which they were chosen. Hence, it behooves all combatants and consorts who wish the Crown to be treated with respect, to make the selection process as rigorous as possible.

For you and your consort: It is a singular experience, one which taps directly into the magic and romance which we endeavour to bring to our game.

For your skill: I have never experienced the intensity of combat anywhere else that you get in crowns. The first time you face it will always be somewhat daunting, so the sooner the better. It will help you learn many things about yourself and your ability to fight for a real prize while maintaining your honour despite the over-whelming rush of adrenaline and testosterone pumping through your body. The most important lesson being to be able to recognise and admit defeat with grace.