| u have been studying karate for any length of time | | | | breaking previous habits and beliefs, forming new |
| now, you have probably come to realize many | | | | habits and beliefs and then perfecting them until you |
| important insights from your training. From my own | | | | reach the next breakthrough stage. Then repeat the |
| study of karate, I have come to notice many | | | | process and find out that what was once clear now |
| interesting lessons. I would like to share some of | | | | makes little to no sense. These are very confusing |
| these insights with you in this article. | | | | stages in your training but very important in your |
| 1. The most talented students don’t always | | | | growth as a martial artist. |
| make the best instructors, nor do they even become | | | | 7. Try not to impose your values onto others in your |
| black belts in many cases, whereas the averagely | | | | training; try instead to be open-minded. Just because |
| skilled but highly committed practitioner often makes | | | | you think that kata is the greatest thing |
| it to the higher levels. | | | | doesn’t mean that the die-hard sparring |
| 2. It is a mistake to judge yourself based on the | | | | fanatic on the floor next to you agrees. It is |
| performance and skill of others. Instead, do your | | | | important to respect and accept each other’s |
| best to honestly evaluate your performance in | | | | values rather than criticize and judge. |
| relation to how well you feel that you are fulfilling | | | | 8. All of the above points can be directly applied to all |
| your potential in the art. | | | | aspects of your life in some shape or form and if |
| 3. Never criticize others for not “getting | | | | you only practice them in the dojo then you are |
| it” because although they may be missing | | | | missing the wider picture and life lessons that karate |
| some of the things that you “get”, | | | | offers. |
| they may be gaining many other important insights | | | | These eight points can be further condensed into |
| that you haven’t yet begun to understand. | | | | three core values of the martial arts: |
| 4. Don’t profess to know anything about | | | | · always try your best |
| karate other than superficial knowledge until you | | | | · be honest in everything you do |
| have been training for at least ten years and even | | | | · respect others |
| then be very careful because as your own | | | | This is the essence of what I have taken from my |
| knowledge increases, rather than feeling that you | | | | karate training so far. How about you? What have |
| know more, you instead realize more things that you | | | | you learned from your training? Why not share some |
| do not yet know and the challenge becomes harder | | | | of your insights and e-mail me at |
| once again. | | | | I will look forward to communicating with you. For |
| 5. If you are a senior grade and a junior grade tells | | | | some valuable information on becoming a good |
| you that they now know a kata or a technique, | | | | instructor, read my FREE Report on “Instructor |
| don’t put them down or tell them that they | | | | Mastery: How to Become a Great Instructor Right |
| don’t know what they’re talking about | | | | from the very First Lesson.” You can |
| (even if that may be true), instead encourage them | | | | download it at |
| to keep training hard and congratulate them on their | | | | Good luck and best wishes to you on your honorable |
| breakthrough. | | | | and noble role in teaching. Feel free to write to me at |
| 6. There are different truths at different levels of | | | | with any questions you have on your practice or |
| training. Learning karate is a sequential process of | | | | your teaching. |