We give in to easily. When things get hard we quit. We say, “That didn’t work, I can’t do it.”
We can blame phones, tablets, laptops, social media, or whatever we want. I don’t want to focus on the negative here. If we focus on the problem, we get more of the problem. So, lets focus on the solution. If we change our feelings on something and refuse to accept it for how it appears, we can change everything.
In order to succeed we have to change our kids perspective on things. Change the way they see it. Here are 3 ways to help with that (they are good for adults too).
We Have To Have Faith And Believe…
Ok, I know you are thinking that is easier said then done.
NO ITS NOT!!!!!
Kids believe their parents. They love you and believe what you say to them. When they come to you and say “Its to hard”, “I cant do it”, “I want to quit that”. You have to tell them they can do it. Focus on what they are doing right. If its martial arts, tell them I saw your kick was getting a lot better. Your focus in class was really good last time.
This helps them look at what they can do, not what they cant. They see what is possible and not what they think is impossible.
Tell them believe you can and you will.
This works for adults too. We have to believe we can. Have faith in what we are doing. If you say, I will wait until I am in shape to start that, or I cant ever get that job its too hard. Guess what, it is too hard and you never will.
Why??
You talked yourself out of it!
Kids and adults are the same. We need to believe and have the faith that we can do it. One step in a different direction and it takes us to a totally different place.
Never Listen To The Negativity…
And there will be a lot of it. Especially with kids.
Peer pressure. They get it from everywhere. The playground, school, sports, and on their phones.
Once you take that first step toward positivity you will have people tell you, “You cant do that”, “No one gets a black belt”, or “Black Belts are given out, not earned”. And there are many more excuses.
In both kids and adults, negativity loves negativity. There are some that don’t want you to succeed, and others that are scared you will fail and don’t want you to (failure is good for you. But that is another blog post).
Reinforce to your kids that they can do anything that they put their mind to. Anything they believe, have faith in and commit to can be done.
Adults, block that negative talk out. If you want to do it, do it. Tell yourself you can and you will. It may take some time and you may have some bumps along the way, but you will get it, if you keep after it. You 100% will.
Go For It…
Instead of thinking about it, go do it. Don’t hesitate.
I have many, many stories from adults students as well as kids and their parents of the lives martial arts has changed.
Better grades, better physical condition, more flexibility, more focus, better discipline. All seem like the cliches of martial arts. Its what our advertising preaches. But its all true. A good school and and instructors that care about your success will make all the difference.
If you let it, and believe, have faith and don’t let people talk you out of it, it will change your life. AND that goes for anything you do. Not just martial arts.
I wish you all the best and happiest of Thanksgivings.