Balancing Training and Life: A Guide for Civilians Seeking to Become Better Protectors

In today's fast-paced world, finding time to train in various skills—such as combat, trauma medicine, weapon tactics, hand-to-hand combat, knife combat, and medical skills for becoming better protectors—while juggling family, work, and other responsibilities can seem daunting. However, with proper planning and organization, it is possible to achieve a balanced approach that allows you to improve your skills without sacrificing other important aspects of your life. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to effectively manage your time and prioritize your training goals.

1. Set Clear Objectives

Before diving into training, it's essential to establish clear, realistic objectives. Define what you want to achieve in each area of training. Whether it's reaching a certain proficiency level in hand-to-hand combat or becoming certified in trauma medicine, having specific goals will keep you focused and motivated.

2. Create a Training Schedule

Draft a weekly schedule that incorporates training sessions while accommodating your work, family, and personal commitments. Start by identifying free time slots during your day. Early mornings, lunch breaks, or evenings might be good opportunities for training to. Ensure your schedule is flexible to accommodate unexpected changes.

Sample Weekly Schedule:

• Monday: Early morning - 30 minutes of hand-to-hand combat drills

• Tuesday: Lunch break - 1 hour of weapon tactics training

• Wednesday: Evening - 1 hour of knife combat practice

• Thursday: Early morning - 30 minutes of medical training

• Friday: Lunch break - 1 hour of trauma medicine

• Saturday: Morning - 2 hours of comprehensive combat training

• Sunday: Rest or light review of the week's lessons

3. Prioritize Your Training

Not all training sessions are equally important every week. Prioritize based on your upcoming goals and areas that need the most improvement. Rotate your focus periodically to ensure a well-rounded skill set.

4. Utilize Efficient Training Methods

Maximize your training time by using efficient and effective methods. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) for physical conditioning, scenario-based drills for combat training, and concise, focused study sessions for medical knowledge can yield significant improvements in shorter periods.

5. Integrate Training with Daily Activities

Look for opportunities to integrate training into your daily routine. Practice situational awareness during your commute, run through mental drills while on breaks, or use family outings as a chance to teach basic first aid or self-defense principles. I find this point one of the most important because your training or your Protector mindset and state of mind must not be reduced only to the time of training. You go to the training place and you put your "mask" of a Protector. This mindset must be continuously an integrated part of you.

“If You Know The Way Broadly, You Will See It In Everything” - Miyamoto Musashi

6. Leverage Technology

Use online resources and apps to supplement your training. Virtual training programs, instructional videos, and online courses can provide valuable knowledge and techniques that you can learn at your convenience. Apps that track your progress and remind you of your training schedule can also be very helpful.

7. Involve Your Family

Involving your family in your training can be beneficial and when we talk about the medical knowledge it is critical to involve also the family members. Not only does it provide support and understanding, but it also teaches valuable skills to your loved ones. Family training sessions can include basic self-defense, first aid, and emergency preparedness.

As I said also in the past if we take the example of the tourniquet, it is very important that the ones around you(family, friends, colleagues) are knowing what is that item and how you can use it. In the situation that you go unconscious and you are not able to self apply the tourniquet, somebody around you can do it if he has the knowledge.

8. Stay Consistent and Patient

Consistency is key to improvement. Even if you can only dedicate a small amount of time each day, regular practice will yield better results than sporadic, intense sessions. Be patient with your progress and celebrate small victories along the way.

9. Group Training

Find your Tribe also around you, the place where you live and connect with the other individuals that have the same view like you, train together and build a community of strong Protectors.

Tribe 13 is expanding every month more so is essential that members are starting to create study groups. This will help each of you to learn faster and to become better prepared.

Communicate your training goals with your family, friends, and colleagues. Their support can provide encouragement and understanding, making it easier to balance training with other responsibilities.

Support Network Strategies:

• Discuss your training schedule with family members.

• Involve friends or colleagues in joint training sessions.

• Seek mentorship from experienced individuals in your training areas.

10. Monitor and Adjust

Regularly review your progress and adjust your schedule as needed. Life circumstances change, and so should your training plan. Be flexible and willing to adapt to maintain a balanced approach.

Creating Time for Training: A Leadership Perspective

Effective leadership is not only about guiding others but also about mastering the art of self-management. For civilians aspiring to become better protectors creating additional time for training can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, by applying strategic leadership principles, one can optimize their schedule and carve out more time for essential training.

1. Self-Assessment and Time Audit

A key leadership principle is the ability to self-assess and evaluate how time is currently being spent. Conduct a time audit by tracking your daily activities for a week. Identify patterns, time-wasting habits, and periods of inefficiency. This assessment will provide a clear picture of where adjustments can be made.

Steps for a Time Audit:

• Log all activities in a journal or use a time-tracking app.

• Categorize tasks (work, family, leisure, chores, etc.).

• Analyze which activities are essential, and which can be minimized or eliminated.

2. Strategic Delegation

Great leaders understand the importance of delegation. Evaluate your responsibilities at work and home. Determine which tasks can be delegated to others to free up your time. Effective delegation not only empowers others but also helps you focus on critical areas such as training.

Tips for Delegation:

• Identify capable individuals who can take on specific tasks.

• Provide clear instructions and set expectations.

• Follow up to ensure tasks are completed satisfactorily.

3. Prioritization and Time Management

Adopting prioritization techniques can significantly enhance your efficiency. Utilize frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. Focus on high-priority tasks and schedule less critical activities around your training sessions.

Eisenhower Matrix Breakdown:

• Urgent and Important: Handle immediately.

• Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these tasks.

• Urgent but Not Important: Delegate if possible.

• Neither Urgent nor Important: Minimize or eliminate.

4. Goal Setting and Planning

Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is a fundamental leadership practice. Apply this to your training objectives. Break down your goals into manageable milestones and integrate them into your daily or weekly plans.

SMART Goal Example:

• Specific: Improve hand-to-hand combat skills.

• Measurable: Complete 30-minute practice sessions, three times a week.

• Achievable: Choose techniques that can be practiced in a limited space.

• Relevant: Enhances overall combat readiness.

• Time-bound: Achieve proficiency in three months.

5. Creating Structured Routines

Leaders thrive on structured routines that maximize productivity. Establish a daily routine that includes designated times for training. Consistency in your schedule will make it easier to commit to training without feeling overwhelmed.

Sample Structured Routine:

• 6:00 AM - 6:30 AM: Hand-to-hand combat drills.

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Weapon tactics during lunch break.

• 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Family time.

• 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Knife combat practice or medical training.

I am daily aside of my EDC carry in my backpack training equipment(knife, handgun with holster, tourniquet). Very often I am using my lunch break of 30 min to do basic deployments and applications of tourniquet. This is depending of course on your type of job.

I am every day wining 30 min only from the lunch break. Because my son is going to school in the morning, I wake up regularly at 18:00 to prepare his breakfast and meal for school. Than I remain with more than one hour to train.

Now depending on the program that my wife has, in the noon if she is night shift I will make another one hour of intensive training. Separately every month I planning 2 shooting range sessions aside of my daily dry fire to keep my shooting skills. I also plan that every month I can 1-2 nights be in the wilderness, forest focusing on the combat mindset.

Below I give you an example of a week type of program that you can also download, print and use. You can add more sections like: fire weapon tactics, combat mindset and so on.

6. Mindfulness and Stress Management

Effective leaders recognize the importance of mental well-being. Incorporate mindfulness and stress management techniques into your routine to stay focused and motivated. Practices such as meditation, yoga, or even short mental breaks can help maintain your energy levels and prevent burnout.

Stress Management Tips:

• Practice deep breathing exercises.

• Take short, regular breaks during work.

• Engage in activities that relax and rejuvenate you.

7. Continuous Improvement and Adaptability

Leadership is about continuous improvement and adaptability. Regularly review and adjust your training schedule to reflect any changes in your life or goals. Stay open to new methods and be willing to adapt your approach as necessary.

Continuous Improvement Approach:

• Monthly reviews of your training progress and schedule.

• Adjust goals and routines based on what is working and what isn’t.

• Stay informed about new training techniques and resources.

10. Lead by Example

Finally, embody the leadership principle of leading by example. Show commitment to your training goals through discipline and perseverance. Your dedication will not only enhance your skills but also inspire those around you to pursue their personal development.