If not, is your martial arts school DOOMED for mediocrity (or failure)?

This age old debate goes something like this…. Are you simply “born with it” or are you the sum total of your experiences? Was Charles Manson a criminal from birth or was he immersed such a dysfunctional environment; he had no chance to be a productive member of society? Was Muhammad Ali predestined to become a champion at conception, or was he compelled to greatness by his circumstances?

Although this is a debate that may rage for eternity, one thing is certain, in this country and especially in today’s “information generation” society, we have every opportunity to “take the bull by the horns” and set ourselves (and our students) up for success! As instructors and “success coaches” we MUST understand what it takes to create the right environment and the right culture to produce the results we want for our students and Black Belts.

If you are reading this magazine and this column in particular, you probably already know this on at least a sub-conscious level. There are thousands of school owners who chose not to even think about improving themselves or their schools. And by default, not to improve the quality of the program they offer their students. You, however, are the exception to the rule!

Take a moment to consider your Martial Arts Training. When did you make the greatest improvements? When did you push yourself to your maximum potential?

Was it while training in your “regular” class, working out as usual, or did you find that extra little bit of “gas in the tank” while you were competing against a better fighter? Or the time you had the chance to line up next to the highest kicker in the school, or the opportunity to work out with the instructors for the first time. What about at your rank examinations (especially Black Belt)?

I think we all find that we expand our range, and break down our limiting thinking when we are surrounded by other “high performers”, or the bar is raised before us. This might explain why so many “world records” are broken during the Olympic Games, and not necessarily during normal training.