The Selfie vs. The Big Picture

You know how it goes: you’re scrolling through your feed, and it’s like a parade of “look at me” moments. We’ve all done it—turned life into a selfie session. And hey, that’s normal. But it’s not where we want to stay forever, right?

Take something personal from my own life: when Professor Presas passed away, I initially thought about my own loss. I was there when he was diagnosed, so it hit me on a personal level. But after a while, I realized this wasn’t just about me. It was a loss we all felt. That’s the difference between living in a “selfie” mindset and seeing the big picture.

Now, let me get a little personal on the social media front. Some of my own folks have wondered why my online presence looks the way it does. Since April 1st, 2024, I’ve put out a whopping 562 videos. Yep, that’s a lot! Some are just for laughs, some are responses to trolls, and most are all about sharing solid Filipino Martial Arts.

Not everyone sees the same side of that. Some folks only see the FMA content. Others see me having a bit of fun at the expense of, say, the BJJ community (and yes, I’m working on my purple belt in BJJ, so no hard feelings!).

But here’s the kicker: before I started this approach, an article I wrote might have only gotten a couple hundred views. Now? We’re talking 10,000 to 20,000 views easy. That’s what playing 3D chess looks like. I’m not just thinking about one move—I’m thinking about how each move affects the bigger picture: the seminars, the camps, the overall visibility of the World Modern Arnis Alliance.

And guess what? It’s working. I’ve been going to the Philippines since 2007, but on my last couple of visits, something wild happened: people recognized me. I’m talking about random folks in malls, 7-Elevens, Dairy Queens, the airport, even just out on the street. And of course, the recognition at martial arts events has jumped up too. That’s the power of zooming out and thinking beyond the selfie.

At the end of the day, this is a customer service gig. People come to me for value, not just for the “Tim Hartman experience.” And if I don’t deliver, they’ll go somewhere else. So I’ve got to keep my eyes on that big picture, not just the selfie view.

So next time you catch yourself focusing on just your own frame, zoom out a bit. There’s a whole chessboard out there. Thanks for reading!

Respectfully,
Tim Hartman
World Modern Arnis

#modernarnis #martialarts #filipinomartialarts #selfdefense