1. Leave your ego at the door
This is one of the cardinal rules of any successful martial arts club but it will apply anywhere you go too, with anything you try. Leave your pride behind and open your mind to learn instead. You’ll be surprised at how much further it takes you.
2. You can learn something new from everyone you meet
Whether it’s the new guy who somehow has a flawless left hook or the white belt whose incessant questions enable you to become a better instructor, everyone you’ll meet in your life has the ability to show you something new. Take it as an opportunity to better yourself and help others with what you learn.
3. You either win or you learn
You will inevitably get bumps and bruises, aches and pains even knocked down or out but all of that is just fine if learn from it. Winning a major tournament is a thrilling feeling, but when we are defeated, it only shows us what we need to work on. If we change our outlook on how we view our shortcomings in the rest of our lives as well, our losses cease to become losses and instead become opportunities.
4. The journey is what makes the destination so satisfying
Of course everyone wants their black belt, high rank, elevated profile, successful club, but in the end, as with the belt it’s just a piece of fabric – think beyond it. The literal blood, sweat, and tears that are shed along the way are far more valuable. The years of work that are put into learning your art are ultimately what you remember. Take each day as it comes and focus on the little goals— the grand achievements will come with time and experience.
5. Good technique will always beat force
The guy who puts all of his energy into beating the absolute crap out of his opponent is almost guaranteed to get tired quicker. It is the same as a student, instructor, club owner, businessman, partner, parent and more! It’s the calm, smart, technical person who almost always comes out on top. When we take a moment to breathe and analyse the struggle we’re facing instead of going all-in without a second thought, the outcome is much more likely to work out in our favour.
6. Never judge someone by their appearance
We’re taught this lesson at school. Once you earn a few bruises from someone you’d never have expected to dish out such a whoopin’, you’ll make SURE to get to know someone before passing judgment.
7. Most of your limits are set by your own mind
You’d be surprised how far you can push your limits if you set your mind to it. One more step, one more kick or one more punch is nothing when you think about how much work you’ve already put in. No matter what you do, know your limits and then prove them wrong.
8. But never be too proud to say when enough is enough
While we should always push our limits, it’s better to admit defeat and come back to fight another day than to hospitalize ourselves forever due to our own pride. ‘Pride comes before a fall’. We’re only human and it’s ok to admit that.
9. Take good care of your body … mind … and spirit
Stimulate & manage the 3 elements not just the first, like with everything – it has to be a balance
10. Let go of the little things
Sometimes, your training partner’s fist will accidentally find your face. They’ll apologise, you’ll tell them not to worry and you’ll both continue what you were doing. All of your relationships become easier when you remember to judge people for their intentions rather than their actions, especially if they don’t ruin your whole week.
11. Being a good follower is not a bad thing
Our culture likes to make people believe that being a follower is a bad thing but there is no shame in listening to and learning from those who have more experience than you. There will always be a technique that you don’t completely understand and it’s ok to let someone else teach it to the new guy instead. Being a good student is just as important as being a good teacher, no matter what you do.
12. But don’t be afraid to step up and lead when you’re needed
Just as your skills were shaped by great teachers, there will come a time when you need to be the guiding light for someone else. It might just be a one-time correction on another student’s form or you might be a continuous role model for someone who wants to learn to fight just like you. When the opportunity to lead comes your way, embrace it and treat it like the honour that it is.
13. Success doesn’t come without a great deal of pain
No matter how careful you are, nobody comes out of martial arts without having suffered injuries (and maybe a couple of major ones). But anything worth having is also worth suffering for, and the taste of victory either on or off the mat outweighs the pain of all of the kicks, punches, and chokes that it took to get there. Just as the Japanese proverb says, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
14. Your actions will say more than your mouth ever could
Don’t go around telling everyone how great you are, allow others to do that for you. Focus on being the very best you can be on and off the mats and people will respect you for that – ‘talk the talk’ Vs ‘walk the walk’
15. Not everyone who hurts you is your enemy
If you ever watch a martial arts competition, it might be the only time you’ll see two people hug after beating each other up. Despite what UFC promos might want you to believe, most martial artists don’t hate each other. We know that no matter how many blows and throws were exchanged, we are all humans fighting the same battles and working towards our own success… and that there’s a lot to be learned from those battles.
16. You and your family will not always share the same genes
You will, however, share hugs, tips, memories, and bodily fluids (usually not on purpose). Your training partners become your brothers and sisters, and your club becomes your second home. The value of this sort of non-obligatory love is immeasurable and you are likely to treasure it just as much as you do the love for your own biological family.