North Florida Tae Kwon Do

What do I do when I just don’t want to train anymore (or my child doesn’t want to train anymore)? This is not an uncommon question for martial artists to ask themselves many times throughout their training careers on the road to black belt. As a matter of fact, it is almost certain that your instructor has felt the same way, one time or another, during his or her training.

So, what do you do?

First, you need to remember why you started martial arts in the first place. No matter how far you have come since then (maybe you lost weight, reduced stress, or learned to focus better), remember that you must apply constant and ongoing pressure to not only obtain success, but to also stay successful. Do not go back to the way it was before your training.

Second, immediately set an appointment with your instructor and share how you are feeling. There are many different things your instructor or coach can do to help you re-ignite that great feeling you once had. Maybe it is reevaluating your goals, taking a private lesson or two, or even changing your curriculum. Perhaps he or she may suggest a few classes off or even different classes. Whatever it is, set the appointment and reset your goals.

The third step is making sure you have a partner. Either get a friend to sign up or find another student and ask your partner to hold you accountable for coming to class.

Finally, last but not least — do not quit. As Winston Churchill said, “… never, never, never … give in.”

“Without the spur of competition we’d loaf out our life.” — Arnold Glaslow

Competition is all around us – in school, at work, in sports, and in the martial arts. We are constantly competing with others, whether we know it or not. Your approach to that competition will determine your success.

Some people thrive on competition, others shrink from it, and some misunderstand competition and allow it to consume them. As martial artists, we should have a proper understanding and appreciation for the benefits of competition. It is through competition that we improve our knowledge, skills, and physical abilities, and increase our contributions to our families, employers, and society.

The purpose of competition is improvement – improvement of an individual, of a team, or of an organization. Beyond the scoreboard of athletic games, there are rarely clear cut winners and losers. There is just the competition of life and your approach to it.

Pierre de Coubertin, former International Olympic Committee Chairman once stated, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part … The most important thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” This is how martial artists should view competition. Do we compete well? Do we try our hardest, learn from our mistakes, and grow as individuals and as martial artists?

No one likes to lose, and martial artists are no different. When we enter a competition, it should be with the intention of winning, but, we understand that no one wins every time. We also understand that to compete well is the true measure of an individual, not just the win/loss columns.

Seek out and embrace competition, and realize that it will improve you if you allow it to do so. However, don’t be consumed by it. As Henry Ford once said, “Competition whose motive is merely to compete, to drive some other fellow out, never carries very far.” Engaging in competition without a clear understanding of its correct purpose can cause harm to an individual and those around him or her.

Many martial arts tournaments begin with, “Everyone here who has competed is a winner.” This is also  true in life. Your willingness to 

compete, to improve yourself, and to grow as an individual and martial artist already makes you a winner, regardless of what any scoreboard might say.

You can say that there are two kinds of people in this world, leaders and followers. Some common characteristics of leaders are that they are dreamers, go-getters, creators, and motivators. Some leaders have a few of these qualities while others have them all. Those that have them all are often very successful in their areas of focus. As instructors of the martial arts, we look to develop leadership qualities in our students. You do not have to be the coach of a team or the teacher in a class to be considered a leader. You can be a team mate, a student, a daughter, or a son and still fall into the leadership category. What’s most important is that leaders are those who know how to act appropriately in all situations, and leaders know how to treat others the right way. Having good manners is an essential aspect of being a “great” leader and a great martial arts student. 

Do you demonstrate leader qualities?

Here are a few common manners that leaders display at all times: 

• Leaders always reply to adults with a polite “yes sir” or “yes ma’am”…
• Leaders make eye contact when they are speaking to others and when they are spoken to…
• Leaders respond to questions with full answers and not a simple shrug or acknowledgement…
• Leaders know how to win and lose with sportsmanship…
• Leaders respect others opinions, even when an opinion is different from their own…
• Leaders perform random acts of kindness, even when it is not expected or required…
• Leaders don’t cheat, lie, or steal…
• Leaders are responsible…
• Leaders take accountability for their own actions…
• Leaders know that being organized takes effort…
• Leaders ask for help when they need it…
• Leaders offer help to others who need it…
• Leaders say “thank you”, “good morning”, “hello”, and “you’re welcome”…
• Leaders always look for ways to improve their skills and abilities…
  • Leaders read articles like these and apply what they’ve learned… 

Would you consider yourself a leader or a follower? As you can tell, it is not hard to be a leader if you try. By using the manners listed above at home, at school or work, in the public, and with families and friends you can be a leader, too. You can be the one to inspire others. You can be the one who sets the right standards. You can be the role model for others to follow. This is what being a leader is truly about, as well as being a martial artist.

“He who wants a rose must respect the thorn.” – Persian Proverb

Dear Parents,

In April, we are learning about respect — respect for others and self-respect. The martial arts has always placed a high priority on respect, as it is the foundation of most relationships. Without respect, there can be no cooperation, no education, and no support or encouragement. Respect is very important to living a successful and fulfilling life.

 It is important that your children learn the importance of respect, and how to truly show respect for others. We strive to teach and model these important lessons every day through our martial arts training. We have provided some suggestions below on how you can help your children learn the importance of respect.

 Other Things You Can Do to Help Children Learn Respect

Model respect for them. You have the most influence on your children. They will pattern their behavior after what they observe you doing. Go out of your way this month to display respect for others in front of your children. Also, talk to them about the importance of self-respect.

 Give them concrete actions to take. Give them some things they can do to show respect for others. Helping a sibling with a chore, helping a friend with homework, and obeying you or the teacher the first time they are instructed to do something are all good examples of showing respect. These examples will help them see that showing respect for others requires actions more than words.

 Remind them of what they learn in martial arts class. We work hard to teach respect to our students. Remind your children of what they learn in their class, and how they can apply it to other areas of their lives. Making the connection between what they learn in their martial arts school and what they do in other places will reinforce the importance we place on respect.

 Help them respect themselves. It is hard to show respect for others, or to gain the respect of others, if we don’t respect ourselves. Children often have a hard time gaining self-respect. Help them by emphasizing the importance of exercise, learning, and helping others. As author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins tells us, these actions will “feed and strengthen our minds, body, and spirit.” They will generate self-respect.

Here are some of the lessons we will be covering this month:

“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” — Ulysses S. Grant

“Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.” — Bill Bradley

“If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.” — Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“A friend drops their plans when you’re in trouble, shares joy in your accomplishments, feels sad when you’re in pain. A friend encourages your dreams and offers advice — but when you don’t follow it, they still love and respect you.” — Anonymous

“Do what you fear and the Death of Fear is certain!” tony robbins

“Inner Beauty is the easiest thing in the world to see when you’re looking for it.”

If you are not afraid of the voices inside you, you will not fear the critics outside you.

We continue to expand! People in Mandarin and Jacksonville are beginning to feel our steam as our newest location begins its growth. As with other beginner schools, we must walk before we run. We are walking now, but watch out as our pace becomes faster!

Sign up now for a great day! Saturday we will travel to Jacksonville for a Krav Maga Seminar that is sure to provide you with many new self-defense skills you may not have been introduced to.

Sign up now!