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I wrote this sometime ago. I saw it and thought I'd share it.
During my first year in Aikido, I sat down and wrote a list of things that I found important during my Aikido training.
Stay open and clear minded. -- When your mind is open and clear you are prepared to learn, which is why we are here.
Listen closely to your practice partner. -- Always be observant of your practice partner's condition. Your partner is placing themselves in your hands when practicing together. Take care of that person. We are not practicing to hurt one another.
Stay observant. -- Be observant of the instructions from the sensei, footwork, hand positions, movements, etc.
Read aikido books you can get your hands on. -- I found that reading Aikido books strongly supplemented my dojo training. My perceptions of Aikido are formed in the dojo with my sensei but supplemented by my readings.
Watch Aikido videos. -- I watch Aikido videos as an additional learning tool. These videos provided me with additional perspectives on the techniques being taught in the dojo training. They are plantiful on YouTube.
Attend the weapons classes if available -- Early in my training, I didn't understand the relationships between weapons class and Aikido training. Since then, I've discovered that, weapons training enforce the basic elements of Aikido, such as distancing, footwork, strike evading, timing and many, many more.
Keep a Journal of you training. -- When I started Aikido I noticed that I would forget what was practiced in the class. Taking a page from my school days, I decided to start an Aikido Journal.
Build friendships with your practice partners. --Aikido is full of very nice people. Have fun learning with others.
Attend Seminars when available. -- Seminars are special training opportunities that need to be experienced.
Always strive to learn more. -- If you make an effort to learn, it will happen. Confucius said, "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand."