Simple Tasks Teach Us A Lot!
Everything we do in Martial Arts teaches us something.
Even something as simple as tying our belt. Yup, thats right tying our belt.
Having it tied correctly is so much more than just looking good on the mats (although that is super important).
It teaches our students discipline.
How can something so easy teach us so much?
Funny you should ask. Here are 3 ways we learn from just tying our belt.
Completing A Simple Tasks Means You Accomplished Something
Doing something correctly and successfully before we step foot on the mats is our 1st win on the day! It sets us up with a positive mindset.
Think about a 7 year old child for a minute. He has been trying to get that belt right for months and finally he does. Mom or Dad has told him he did a great job of getting it right. Then, he steps on the mats and one of our instructors says, “Great job, you got it right!
That 7 year old just filled up with a sense of pride. He got it right. Now, how do you think the rest of his class is going to go?
It will be amazing! That 7 year old will have a great class.
It Teaches Us To Have Pride In Ourselves
Taking Martial Arts classes takes perseverance and discipline. You have to show up to class, put the effort in, and test for your rank. And it’s not always easy.
You earned it, worked hard for it, came to all the classes put in the time, now wear it with pride!
Your belt represents your accomplishments. Even a white belt is an accomplishment. It means you started. You are a beginner. Trying something new.
Tie it the way it is supposed to be tied and be proud of your accomplishment. Show everyone that you are doing something they are not.
Check out our 7 year old again. He just started martial arts classes and just got his white belt. He is so proud of it. Tying it on for the first time. Showing it off proudly to all of his friends and family. Its an accomplishment. He did it. His friends were scared to come to the class. They told him it was too hard. Too much work. Its much easier to stay home and play XBox. But not our 7 year old. He came to class, and got that white belt. Display it proudly, wear it correctly and with pride.
To Be Successful, We Need Discipline
It doesn’t matter what you choose to do in life, to be successful, you have to have discipline.
It takes discipline to show up for work, to do your homework, to be on time for something. Again, I cant say it enough, anything we do discipline is essential to winning. It just a necessity in life.
What is one way martial arts teaches discipline?
You guessed it! Tying your belt.
Its not taught as a way to create a student that is a follower. Just the opposite. We use it to create leaders. Leaders have discipline.
Michael Jordan as an amazing example of discipline. He is successful and a leader on and off the court. When he was playing basketball he did whatever it took to be the best at the game. The hours in the gym, on the court and all the other tasks to become the best. If MJ had no discipline, he would have never accomplished what did. He probably would never have made it to the NBA.
Discipline starts with little tasks, like tying your belt correctly.
Martial Arts changes the lives of all that participate in it. Little tasks make a big difference.
When a young student takes class and develops that discipline they use it in other areas of their lives. It transfers to school and at home. Over time they start to realize that putting in the extra work to do their homework will lead to better grades. Having the discipline to pick up their room will make their parents happy and proud.
Discipline is a work in progress. It doesn’t show up overnight. Any school that promises you discipline in 3 months is lying to you. As with anything there will be ups and downs. But it is always a work in progress.
As I always say, nothing worth earning comes easy.
Want to start your kids on the path to better discipline?
Add you name and email address to the link below and sign up for our 4 week introductory program. We will do whatever it takes to help set your child on the path to greatness.