Challenge Yourself to Succeed

by Joseph Galea

What is success?
For some people, the attainment of a long-term goal is success. For others, it may be the completion of smaller tasks. Similarly in martial arts training, achieving black belt or “under” belts may be what some students consider being successful. However, succeeding as a martial arts practitioner involves mastering the most basic fundamentals of training. These fundamentals include attendance, commitment and practice. These fundamentals lay the foundation of continued success as a martial arts student for life. Attendance: With today’s busy lifestyle, it is sometimes a challenge to maintain an optimal twice-per-week attendance in class. If you must miss class, immediately make it up. Remember that dropping out begins with the first missed class.

Commitment: Students’ motivational levels are governed by their level of commitment. The more important something is to us, the more likely we are to pursue it. As a martial arts student, set aside a day each month to reflect on your training and reaffirm your commitment to it. Ask yourself what benefits are you receiving and how are you a better person through martial arts.

Practice: While you may work out several times per week at the school, set aside mini-workout sessions during the week to review your knowledge. These extra workouts give you an opportunity to have personal time, which reinforces what you are learning in class and, most importantly, what you need to improve.