Every martial artist reaches moments when they know what they should do but still slip back into old habits. Maybe it is struggling to stay consistent, losing focus during drills or letting frustration take over during sparring. Knowledge alone does not create change. Emotion does.
This is where The Dickens Process comes in.
The name comes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where Scrooge is visited by three spirits who show him his past his present and his future. What he sees hits him so hard that he walks out a different man by the next morning. In personal development circles the Dickens Process is a guided way to create that same emotional punch without the ghosts.
Why it works for martial artists
Martial arts is not just about how you punch or kick. It is about who you become. We train discipline resilience and clarity yet sometimes old stories hold us back. The Dickens Process forces you to face the cost of staying the same then shows you the life you could build if you change.
It turns “I know I should” into “I refuse to stay this way”.
How it works
There are three simple parts.
1. Face your past
Look back at the habits or behaviours that have limited you. Maybe you quit when training got tough. Maybe you let ego get in the way. Maybe you hid from challenges.
You do not judge yourself but you do acknowledge the truth.
2. Look honestly at your present
How are those same patterns affecting your life right now? Your fitness your confidence your training your relationships your mindset.
This is the moment most people skip. Martial artists do not. We face discomfort so we can rise through it.
3. Walk into your future
Now imagine the damage those same habits will cause if you do not change them for the next five years.
Then picture a different future. One where you show up with discipline and courage. One where you train consistently and push through resistance. One where you become the version of yourself you always knew you could be.
When the emotional contrast hits it becomes almost impossible to go back to the old version of you.
Using the process on the mat
Coaches can use this to help students break through plateaus. Students can use it before a grading or before setting new goals. It is especially powerful for anyone stuck in a cycle of procrastination or self doubt.
You do not need ghosts to change your life. You just need a clear look at the past the truth about the present and a powerful vision of the future.
The martial arts takeaway
The Dickens Process works because it reminds us why change matters. It converts intention into commitment. It turns fear into fuel. It reconnects us with the deeper purpose behind our training.
If Scrooge can wake up a new man after one intense night you can wake up a better martial artist after one honest moment with yourself.