Degrees of Black Belt

A few years ago I earned a degree through Tom Callos' Ultimate Black Belt Test. It was a test that took two years and involved a lot of different requirements - some necessary, some not so. It was a great experience. It changed the way I looked at Black Belt testing in some ways and re-affirmed it in others.

There is one thing that has remained constant though, I could care less how many bars I have on my belt. The rank does not make the black belt. In 1985, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, with my instructor Randy Reid to start the first Karate America. We grew quickly, adding schools throughout the state, and some fellas even moving to Florida and Colorado.

As time passed, we started getting all of these black belts, and we had to figure out what to do with them all, and so we started developing a 2nd degree program, which led to a third degree, and then on to a fourth, and for a few - a fifth degree.

One of the unintended consequences of adding degrees to our black belts is that some of them fell into the trap of believing that the person wearing a 3rd degree is morally superior than than the once with a 2nd degree, and so they base their self-worth on how many gold bars they have on their belt.

So you had a cultural hierarchy develop where some thought they were better than others simply by the rank achieved, with no regard to experience, potential or ability. It was kind of like Animal Farm, where everyone is equal, except some are more equal than others. I hated that.

"IT is not what you wear it is what you do."

It is not what you wear that makes you what you are, but rather  it is the experiences that you endure that make the degrees on your belt bearable. Personally, I have done more than some, but far less than others, but that's okay, I still have time.

Be true to yourself.

"Stay thirsty my friends."

Top Characteristics of Successful Instructors (part 2)

6. Successful Instructors are enthusiastic

They are always in a positive mood - even during difficult times - and their enthusiasm is contagious. They seldom talk poorly of their school or        business. When faced with unpleasant or negative situations, they choose to focus on the positive elements instead of allowing themselves to be dragged down. Remember, enthusiasm is not taught, it’s caught!

7. Successful Instructors take responsibility for their results

They do not blame internal problems, the economy, tough competitors, or anything else if they fail to meet their goals. They know that their actions alone will determine their results and they do what is necessary.

8. Successful Instructors work hard

Most people want to be successful but they aren’t prepared to work hard to achieve it. Superstar Instructors don’t wait for students to come to them; they go after them. They usually start work earlier than their colleagues and stay later than everyone else. They make more calls, prospect more consistently, talk to more people, and teach more classes. Successful instructors do what unsuccessful instructors won’t do; they do “Whatever it takes”.

9. Successful Instructors keep in touch with their students

They know that constant contact helps keep students so they use a variety of approaches to accomplish this. They send thank-you, birthday, and              anniversary cards. They make phone calls and schedule regular ‘progress reviews’. They are constantly on the lookout for new and creative ways to keep their name in their students’ minds. They work 110% with students to help them progress their martial arts skills, achieve their individual goals and ensure they have an enjoyable time.

10. Successful Instructors show value

Today’s world is more competitive than ever before and most        Instructors think that price is the only motivating buying factor. Successful Instructors recognize that price is a factor but it is seldom the primary reason someone chooses their school. They know that a well-informed buyer will usually base much of her decision on the value proposition presented by the Instructor. They know how to create this value with each student, they encounter.

Top Characteristics of Successful Instructors (Pt. 1)

1. They are persistent

Running a business for a living requires a tremendous amount of persistence. Obstacles loom in front of us on a regular basis. But it’s what you do when faced with these barriers that will determine your level of success. It was Brian Tracy who once said that “A person will face the most  challenging obstacle just before they achieve their goal”. The most successful people in any industry have learned to face the obstacles that get in their way. They look for new solutions. They are tenacious. They refuse to give up.

2. Successful Instructors are avid goal setters

They know what they want to accomplish and they plan their approach. They make sure their goals are specific, motivational, achievable yet challenging, relevant to their personal situation, and time-framed. They visualize their   target, determine how they will achieve their goal, and take action on a daily basis.

3. Great Instructors ask quality questions

The best Instructors ask their students and prospect plenty of quality questions to fully determine their situation and buying needs. They know that the most effective way to present their program is to uncover their customer's goals, objectives, concerns and hesitations. This allows them to effectively discuss the features and benefits of their program that most relate to each customer.

4. Successful Instructors listen

Most Instructors will ask a question then give their student the answer, or continue to talk afterward instead of waiting for their response. Great Instructors know that students will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the   responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the student’s comments. They have learned that silence is golden.

5. Successful Instructors are passionate 

                      Most Instructors will ask a question then give their student the answer, or continue to talk    afterward instead of waiting for their response. Great Instructors know that students will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the   responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the student’s comments. They have learned that silence is golden. 
 

Instructors - Random Thoughts

1. Schedule everything
2. It is not about what someone gets to do, but what they can become
3. Practice pays off - practice privately 100 times for every public performance
4. To be interesting become interested
5. Exceed expectations - consistently
6. Pause before responding
7. You have only 1 chance to make a good 1st impression.
8. Education is experience
9. Confidence is the result of experience
10. Become your own competition

4 Things Every Karate Instructor Should Know

1. It is not necessarily about teaching martial arts, but developing relationships.

2. It is not necessarily about your style, the 'what', but about your settings expectations, the 'why', and holding your students accountable, 'the how'.

3. It is not necessarily about skill development, but about learning the ability to set goals and accomplish them. Instructors need to remember that it karate skills are only a means to an end, and not the end in themselves.


4. It is not necessarily about you. Don't let your ego get in the way. The minute you realize that your job is to be respected through your professional example and not be popular with your students your will be well on your way to a rewarding career as a martial arts instructor.

Seven Steps on the Black Belt's Journey...

How we look at the world and approach our daily lives will dictate the quality of our life. When we focus on our ego's and are driven by our fears and desires we are in direct conflict with our Black Belt ideal. 

Here is a short list from several sources including Wayne Dyer, Stephen Covey, Spencer Johnson, and the Arbinger Institute. 

Remember: "Copying from one source is plagiarism, while copying from many is research!"

1.  Stop being offended. 

     We all know people who go out of their way to be offended by something and carry a grudge. Don't let people have that kind of control over you.

2.  Let go of your need to win.

     Try your best when competing, but understand that winning is a matter of preparation over luck, and the game is won far in advance. Don't be consumed with winning, but with preparing yourself to be your best.

3.  Let go of your need to be right.

     Insecure people are those who constantly need to prove themselves. The personalize every argument, and when they are wrong they will refuse to admit it. If you are wrong or have made a mistake, then admit it! This is the mark of a true leader.

4.  Let go of your need to be superior.

     Don't be distracted with being better than others, rather concentrate on being better than you used to be. Stay focus on your own growth, remembering that no one is any more important than anyone else.

5.  Let go of your need to have more.

     Don't judge your worth on your possessions. You are not the stuff you've accumulated. Remember that it is in the giving of yourself - time, industry or knowledge that gives your life meaning. 

6.  Let go of identifying yourself on the basis of your achievements.

     Be grateful for the talents and abilities you possess and that they have allowed you to achieve, but understand that the root of your talents is not you but your Creator, and so give credit where credit is due. 

7.  Let go of your reputation.

     Your reputation is not you, but is located in the minds of others. You have no control of what others think of you, and so stop worrying about it. Make decisions based on your head and heart with scant attention paid to how it looks to others. 

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoyed our thoughts! 


CJ

Is Your Instructor Invincible?

           Do you remember Superman? Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful... you know rest. (I used to watch these old re-runs as a kid and I always loved it when the bad guy unloaded his revolver at the Man of Steel - with Superman standing around bored as the bullets bounced harmlessly off of his torso, only to have the ne'er-do-well heave the emptied gun at him in frustration , causing Superman to quickly duck out of the way - as if he's thinking 'Hey buddy, bullets are one thing, but tossing that gun could put an eye out!')

Where was I? Oh yes, have ever seen an young instructor act as if he is like the Man of Steel? Invincible to attack, impervious to heat, cold, an expert with guns, with knives...listen to the Colonel:

       How many young black belts are being trained to act as if they have all of the answers and training promised by a school's advertisements?

Usually these young instructors are put through a superficial Instructors Training Program, or a Leadership Program in which they are taught Personality Traits:

• How to shake hands
• 100 ways to say good job
• 'Everyone is a winner' 
• 'Hi 5's'

It is like they have a shell that they put on and wear. You can't put your finger on it, but something seems to be missing, something fake, and contrived.

Why? Because the owner wants to expand and he's bought into the fact that it is easy to build instructors like McDonald's build a fry cooks. 

Too many instructors are put through contrived programs created by someone else. The school owner, who is either unwilling or unable to create a meaningful instructor's program buys a training program from the MAIA convention, and then figures that a three ring binder and a couple of months of role playing is enough training to start teaching.

The young instructor models himself after the older black belt and slowly stops demonstrating, and little by little stops sharing his skills, and starts telling others what to do versus sharing with others on what he loves to do, causing a wall of separation between the students and himself.

Owners, we are to blame. We are comfortable teaching the 'what', but not so hot teaching the 'why', and the 'how'. The passion that inspired us to dedicate our lives to building a dream business is lost because we fail to continue doing the difficult task of building a quality instructor, of setting high expectations, and holding people accountable. We have often settled for less because we would rather have an inferior employee out on the floor rather than have to work ourselves.

So when the quality drops we scratch our heads. Karate schools are not health clubs. A health club is by it's nature superficial and trendy. A karate school is just an empty room with a black belt waiting to lead.

Character over Personality
What makes a great instructor? Well, what is the definition of the term, 'sensei'? It translates into 'one who was born before.' It isn't intended to mean chronological age, but experience. A great instructor is one who has been there before, actually been out in the ring, one who has put it all on the line versus reading it in a manual and giving the answer rehearsed in their I.T. classes. (that's 'instructor training', not 'information technology')

Two thine own self be true.
(Hey, not bad! We went from Superman to Rambo to Hamlet's Polonius in one caffeine induced blog entry!)

If you desire to be an instructor please understand that there are no shortcuts to the knowledge that comes from experience.

Understand that as a new instructor the thing that counts most is integrity and your ability to develop relationships based on trust. If you are not good at something, then admit it...  

"Hey folks, this is a difficult move, heck, I'm still struggling with it, let's work on it together and see how we do!"

I don't know about you but when someone is honest with me it goes a long way to building a solid relationship.

New Instructors, please remember that your biggest asset is your enthusiasm for the martial arts, and you will be successful when you approach class as a fellow student who is leading the class rather than playing the part of the all-knowing, all powerful black belt who has misplaced his cape.

Are Tournaments Worth It?

        I remember my first tournament. I was a Purple Belt from the U.W. Eau Claire Martial Arts Club in Eau Claire, WI. January 1984, I got beat 6-1 in about 30 seconds because earning a 5 point advantage was an automatic win. I only received a point because my opponent hit me in the head twice, allowing me to get a penalty point. I bowed and quickly changed my clothes so no one would know I was even registered, and I got back out on the gym floor before our division was over. Later in the event I saw my future instructor go through everyone like grease through a goose. Wow. Impressive. When I went to congratulate him, he said to me, 'Why don't you start coming around more often and we'll show you how to do this stuff?' I joined his school the next week.

        I was lucky. I was in the right place at the right time. I had finally found something to give my life meaning. Many of my friends were chasing degrees in business, accounting, finance or information systems, but I just couldn't see graduating and sitting in a cubicle somewhere as just another cog in the wheel. I guess I was a little immature and saw too many movies as a kid, hoping that life would have more adventure. After karate class I would come home to our college house while they were having frat parties, and everyone was dressed up in suits and ties except for me, and I'd be the one walking around usually with a icepack for my black eye or something, thinking that they were the weird ones. (Oh, by the way, a lot of them are general partners, managers and company presidents now.)

        A year later, I decided to leave school, move to a different town, live in poverty for the next several years and be a karate instructor, and weekend tournament fighter. There wasn't a lot of recognition outside the local karate gang, but I wouldn't exchange those years for anything. It was through these years that I forged life-long friendships, met my future wife, and developed a sense of meaning for myself. Although it didn't dawn on me at the time that I was setting in motion an exercise in character training that I probably wouldn't have got anywhere else outside the military-(two shoulder surgeries kept me out)

        Nowadays, when I here someone talking to kids about competition and how it builds character, all I usually hear is a bunch of platitudes about how they shouldn't 'let losing bother them.' Yet for all of the ones that I know that talk that way, losing bothered them quite a bit.

       So many people speak out of fear: of loss, of looking stupid, of discovering that they may not have what it takes, that they focus on trying to keep things from going wrong, rather than focusing on making things go right.

         What do I mean? Well, let's say you have an instructor, boss, mentor, or  coach (like my old high school football coach) and all he says are reactive comments, "If 'x' happens, we're gonna have to do 'y'!"
That is the talk of a scared leader, and you can sense the fear of losing seeping out of his pores.

         My instructor was a winner. He would get eye-to-eye with me and say, "Establish your side kick and be first, make them play catch up to you." Heck, even typing those words 25 years later causes my hands to shake a bit, and my heart to beat a little faster - Someone believed in me! I could feel it in my gut that I was going to win, or at least give a good showing. I should also mention the difficult workouts; the hills, the sprints, 1000 kicks a day, the sparring sessions that went on for hours - they were the acts that gave his words so much iron.

          For most karate students tournaments are a lot of fun, allowing them a challenge to test themselves, get some experience and maybe win a trophy, and that is all that they need to be. I don't push competing on my students because most of them joined for far different reasons than the ones that compelled me to start lessons. My experiences don't need to be theirs.

           Are tournaments worth it? For me they were. Are they for you? That is for you to decide.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

       

How Do You Replace Yourself?

             One of the hardest things to do is to let go of things that you think you do better than anyone else. You believe you are irreplaceable, and that your karate school cannot run without you. Then you get busy, hurt, or sick. You start a family and want to spend some time with them. What do you do?
            
You go to work, keeping a record of everything you do.

• How you spend your time
• How you spend your money
• What and how you promote
• Does it work?
• What changes need to be made?
• How can I make it better
• What you sell
• How can I develop better relationships with my people?
• What you teach in your karate classes?
• How can we do it right every time?
• What works?
• What doesn't?

          It is like a puzzle, or a game that you play.  It all has to work, or none of it works. Everything is based on the simple fact that you, the business owner has to get better all of the time. You try, but life isn't always about moving forward, so you have to handle the setbacks as well. Sometimes you feel stuck and unmotivated, and progress or success is no where to be found. You think about quitting, getting a real job, and a steady paycheck. You are not sure what to do, or whom to trust, and so you keep lurching forward, and falling back, waiting for miracle or at least a change of circumstance that will get you inspired again.

          The turning point for me, was finally deciding that I was better at teaching karate than I was at anything else. I had been a production supervisor, and a financial adviser, but nothing spoke to me as being a karate instructor. I finally 'settled' for something. Call it a 'vibe' or whatever you want, people can sense what is under the radar and they respond to it.  When you are positive and focused, it shows in everything you do. This is my starting point. Everything in this school flows out of the example that I set - fortunately or unfortunately.

           So to replace ourselves we need to not only document and plan out the 'what' in our schools, but also the 'how', and the 'why'. There was a reason that you spent all of those hours training your body and mind to be a martial artist.The passion that drives us, not just the plans that we lay out for others to follow. Our karate schools are not just about kicking and punching and forms, but bringing those to life with a passion and a purpose that helps our students build themselves from the inside - out.

Lessons from Mom -Mother's Day Edition

        I have a training manual somewhere in my basement that outlines how to deliver a proper handshake. It takes 6 steps, outlines how many pumps to apply, firmness of the grip, almost like you were programming an alien on how to be human. I found it absurd, but apparently the authors did not.
Most manuals or improvement courses, whether they be in sales, business, athletics, or human resources are about better personality traits, but few take the time to teach character. The 6 steps to a proper handshake never talked about why you shake hands or what is supposed to be behind the your eyes when you make eye-contact.
        Here are a few things I learned from a small, intense woman that I am lucky enough to have as a mother.

1. Be on time 
2. Be prepared
3. Tell the truth
4. Get it down and move on
5. Don't let the dishes pile up too long
6. Make your bed right away
7. Tuck your shirt in
8. Comb your hair
9. Play fair
10. Stand up for yourself 
11. Protect your brother
12. When someone is in trouble, stop and help him out.

Small, simple, but important. Things I use everyday. I am sure you do too, after all your mother probably taught you the same list.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Systems & Measures

Systems & Measures. 

Today we operate our school according to a plan. In the past we didn't always, but we tried, and through trial and error, and a little luck, we've developed a simple, straight-forward program that yields fantastic students.

We have different programs with different lengths for students with different levels of commitment.

We use a planned, orchestrated curriculum designed to yield a specific  result - a Black Belt.

We rotate a series of classes over 10 weeks designed to take a student from his/her current belt to the next level up.

We rotate those 10 weeks 5 times over the year.

Each rotation has a name or an emphasis, even though it isn't readily apparent to the students.

The result is that no two classes are ever the same, even though we do the same outline 5 times a year.

Our definition of a Black Belt is 'a master of the basics.'
The time requirement is 3 years and 300 classes minimum, but if it takes longer so be it. 

To become a Black Belt a student must 'master': Think of these as the 'Tip of the Iceberg'

• Basic techniques including 5 kicks, 4 punches/strikes/8 blocks and 3 stances.
• Four forms or 'kata'
• Seven Kicking/Punching techniques
• Seven Basic Self Defense attacks
• Run 2 miles through our wooded cross country course
• Perform 100 sit-ups & Push-ups
• One Hundred Kicks on the heavy bag in 1 minute.
• Adults will do a 5 minute continuous punching bag set.

Along the Way each student has the option to Perform 12 Personal Projects for colored star shaped patches on his/her uniform. (Designed for younger students, but they are encouraged to involve their folks/family)

Projects:

1. Goal Setting
2. 1000 Techniques
3. 50 Acts of Kindness, Courtesy & Respect
4. 30 Days of Healthy Eating
5. Participation in Our Student Tournament
6. Excellent Grades: All A's & B's
7. Walk/Bike/Run 100 miles in 30 Days
8. 100 Form Repetitions
9. Demonstration of 12 Self Defense Scenarios
10. 30 Day of 100 Push Ups/Sit ups/kicks with each Leg
11. Creativity - Create you own form with a teammate
12. Take part in a fund raiser/food drive or community project

 Each month has a Theme, each week a Lesson for that Week, and each day has a Quote related to the Theme of the Month.

Our Monthly Themes are color coordinated to match our 12 Belts to Black Belt:
White - Achievement
Gold - Focus
Orange - Motivation
Green - Enthusiasm
Purple - Courage
Purple Stripe - Integrity
Blue - Respect
Blue Stripe - Self Discipline
Red - Confidence
Red Stripe - Vision
Brown - Teamwork
Brown Stripe - Commitment

We don't have 'Tests', we have 'Graduations'

We consider every class important, or a 'test', just as each day is a test in our daily lives. Every 4-5 classes a student will earn a progress stripe, showing that they know their belt level requirements.

After 3 black stripe and 1 red one they are ready to promote.

Our Belt Promotion is a recognition of 20 classes of consistent work - nobody shows up by accident.

Black Belt 'Alchemy'...turning ordinary into extraordinary...

The missing piece are the Instructors. At McDonald's, an employee can be trained in a short period of time. The same thing can be accomplished in martial arts too, if you start teaching a student the principles of a excellent instructor on his/her first class. Leadership is something you just do, it must be a part of everything we do or we won't be successful.

'Setting the Example'. Each student learns about our legacy of respect, starting with the very first class he is taught how we show respect in the school, at home, and in the Dojo. By the time she is a Black Belt she has been a leader on our floor for up to three years.

Measuring Performance: Qualitative and Quantitative... to be continued...