Steve Jobs

 This month’s word is “integrity”.

December is a great month to share what it really means.  I would suggest for you to share it during holiday dinners and gatherings to pass on lessons that you’ve learned along the way of your journey in life and see how you measure up.  Let’s first define this big word.

Integrity means firm adherence to a code of values and acting in accordance with your principles.  It also means honesty, keeping your word and speaking the truth.

Like many life skills, integrity is a character trait, something that reveals your true self.  Integrity forms the basis of both trust and respect.  And I think you’d agree: Without other people’s trust and respect, there isn’t much you can accomplish in this world!  No person is an island.  That’s why integrity is so important to your success, both in our academy now as well as in the future.

 “Matching Tongues”

     I heard a funny quote that sums up the idea of integrity: “The tongue in your shoe must match the tongue in your mouth”.  In other words, you must walk the talk.   

      You see, when your words and deeds match, you have integrity.  But if you say one thing and do another, you’re said to be “out of integrity”.  Take a look at this example:

      A student says his goal is to become a black belt by the end of next year.  But then he chooses to play video games instead of coming to class, doesn’t practice his kicking exercises at home and doesn’t give his best effort when he comes to class. 

      In this example, he would be “out of integrity”.  On the other hand, if he attends classes regularly, stays focused on his goal and works hard, he’d have integrity in his actions.  Words and deeds match. Make sense? 

      One of your goals as an authentic martial artist should be to build your own integrity and use it as a foundation to reach your goals and become a leader.   

 I’ve asked a few of my friends what are examples of what integrity looks like in their lives. Here’s a list:

1. Remember what Mom used to tell you on how to treat your friends, like when a friend or neighbor gives you cookies in a container, return the container in a timely manner filled with other goodies.

 2. Treat others, as you’d like to be treated.

3. Return money when loaned, as soon as you can repay the debt.

4. Open the door for others, elderly or otherwise.

5. Keep your promises or don’t make them at all.

6. Say “no” and mean it.

7. Say “yes” and mean it.

8. Always tell the truth…respectfully.

9. Avoid using the word “don’t”.

10. Always go one step beyond what’s expected.

11. When you make eye contact, acknowledge each other.

12. Acknowledge good service.

13. Leave a note when you “scratch” a car on the parking lot.

14. Be brave… even if it feels awful.

15. Keep your word and follow through.

16. Watch what you eat.

17. Watch what you say.

18. Help others when you see them struggling.

19. Improve yourself.

20. Keep learning to overcome your limitations.

21. Keep your vows.

22. Praise your children and significant others, when deserved.

23. Pat yourself on the back when you’ve overcome challenges.

24. Pat your subordinates when they’ve overcome challenges.

25. Praise in public, correct in private.

26. Keep trying, even if it feels uncomfortable.

27. Let go of the past by completing these sentences, 20 times each:

     I want _____,

     I feel _______,

     I think ______,

     I need ______,

     I will  _______,

28. Accept when you make mistakes, say,

      “I did it, I’m sorry, it is a problem in my life, I accept the consequences, I accept help”.

29. Have the “gratitude attitude”

30. If given too much change from the store, return what doesn’t belong to you.

31. Listen to your gut feeling, go with your first choice. 

32. Choose friends that have the same interests and goals.

33. Check your morals, so when temptation comes along you’re clear on what you’ll do.

“The (wo)man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”   Chinese Proverb

34.  Have faith in yourself.

35. Keep your car clean, it says a lot about you.

36. Eat what’s on your plate, don’t waste.

37. Serve yourself only what you can eat.

38.  Learn from your mistakes.                                

39. Check your actions; they speak volumes about you.

40. Know your self-worth at every moment.

41. When you go to a party, if over 21, drink alcoholic drinks in a healthy quantity.

42. Accept your addictions, and change them.

43. Forgiveness: deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn’t have to pay.

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if  you can dream it, you can become it.” – William Arthur Ford

44.  Acknowledge subtle forms of “violence” – bullying, insults, threats, rumors, sexual harassment, trash talk.

45. Being disruptive means you’re interfering with learning or being hurtful.

46. You can take good care of yourself, even if you’re mad.

47. You can be productive and follow directions, even if you don’t want to.

48. I can be O.K. even when others are not.

49. Respect your elders, they understand much more than you.

50. Sit down at the dinner table and be thankful.

51. Thank your parents, often.

52. Acknowledge your spouse for loving you.

53. Fix what’s broken around the house – soon.

54. Care for your feet, scrape the roughness off your heels.

55. Remove your make-up before going to bed to avoid break-outs.

56. Take your wife on a date.

57. Take your husband out to eat.

58. Leave the kids with a babysitter one evening a month.

59. Volunteer your time at a school or Senior Center.

60. Spay/neuter your pet.

61. Train your dog.

62. Clean up after yourself at ALL times.

63. Think, “Who’ll be affected by my actions?”

64. Ask for what you want.

65. Accept those around you as they are.

66.  Help set up holiday decorations with your family.

67. Make dinner for your family.

68. Reduce your soda-pop drinks.

69. Drink more water.

70. Eat more fruit.

“A pessimist sees thedifficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill

71. Switch some of your social networking activities to face-to-face socializing.

72. Ask your child about his/her homework.

73. Talk to your child’s Teacher.

74. Spend quality time with a Priest, Minister, Rabbi and such.

75. Donate to your religious institution.

76. Stop using credit cards.

77. Save for your dream vacation.

78. Pay off your school loans.

79. Work in an inner-city school as a teacher to help pay off your school loans.

80. Be a Big Brother/Big Sister.

81. Hold a premature baby.

82. Downsize your home.

83. Exercise for at least 45 minutes.

84. Stop eating foods with “high fructose corn syrup”.

85. Visit a dentist twice a year.

86. Pay your bills on time.   

87.  Call a relative you haven’t seen in a while.

88. Laugh at yourself.

89. Fix that leaky faucet.

90. Fix that electrical problem at home, before there’s a fire.

91. Buy the right amount of insurance for your needs.

92. Ask about a 401K or 403B or SEP IRA… your retirement funds.

93. Vote in your local elections.

94. Ride a bike outside.

95. Walk your neighbor’s dog.

96. Clean up after that dog.

97. Change your car oil every three thousand miles.

98. Downsize your car.

99.  Continue training and ask for help.

100. Sit still and listen.  

Always strive to do your best!

Happy Holidays,
Chief Master William J. Babin

Two straight years of focused effort has produced an 11-year-old black belt and two first places and one third place in our recent ATA Regional Tournament.  That’s a summary of Nick Lucchese’s life as a student of Taekwondo.   Like many other nine-year-olds, Nick did not have an interest in other “traditional” sports, like football or baseball.

According to dad, “Nick actually wanted to do fencing because he really likes weapons, but he went to see the movie GI JOE and saw some “karate fighting” in the movie.  He really liked that, and his cousin was taking classes at Babin’s Karate for Kids at that time.  He came to a “safety class” with his cousin, Austin, and he enrolled soon thereafter.”

 Nick’s mom, is a 3^rd grade teacher and says, “Teachers often recommend Karate for children.   We know that it builds focus, discipline, and respect.”

Nick is a bit of an exception.   He has never missed a graduation or “no-changed.”   His focus and concentration have produced regular advancements every two months over the last two years.      He earned his 1^st degree black belt in November.

Sal says:   “His karate class really helps to push him.  He knows there are standards and expectations.  He knows he has to work hard to get what he wants and to work even harder if he does not get it.”

Dad goes on to describe some great qualities and skills that we call “black belt attitude.”

“Nick is more confident in his interactions with others.   He is more aware of being respectful.  He is a caring person.   He likes things to be fair and wants others to get a fair chance, too.   In fact, he actually stepped in at the bus stop when another kid was being unkind.”

WOW, what an incredible black belt attitude!

 When we asked Nick’s parents what they would say to other parents who are considering Babin’s Karate for Kids for their family, this is what they had to say….

DAD : “It is a great opportunity for kids…great discipline and great life skills.  He’s learning lots of things here that he will use for the rest of his life and I like the idea that he can protect himself.”

MOM: “I see karate training as all the other stuff…the character training and positive life skills.  And he really looks up to the young male leaders here like Mr. Babin, Mr. Birdwell, and Mr. Meyer.   These are students who have become teachers and role models.   In Nick’s mind, he can say, ‘Hey I can actually become one of those guys.’   These role models are a great plus for the program.”

NICK says:  “Weapons are my favorite, especially the sword.  The most exciting things I have done have been taking xtreme classes from Mr. Birdwell and Mr. Meyer.”

BUILD CONFIDENCE: Nothing builds confidence faster than placing yourself in challenging, new situations over and over.  Every tournament is different:  different location, different judges, and different competitors.  And if you set a goal to build a “competition career,” even YOU become different because you grow older, wiser, stronger, and more skillful over time.

IMPROVE SOCIAL SKILLS:  Parents of Karate Kids constantly refer to how their children take the life skills we teach and use them at home, at school, and everywhere.   Tournaments provide an ideal opportunity for your child to make friends and be a friend.  In fact, “making a friend” is one of the TWO big reasons for competing:  1: make a friend, and 2: learn a lesson.  Also, learning how to deal with the stress of competition can teach your child how to win with grace and humility and how to lose with self control and respect.    That equals “poise under pressure” and when will that be a valuable life skill???——-Always!!!!

SETTING GOALS: Rather than saying, “I will win 1^st in sparring.” You can set small, incremental goals, like “I will score at least one point in sparring.”  Or “I will get at least two 6’s on my form.”   Or “I will compete in FIVE events at the next regional tournament.”   Remember, goals need to be specific and measurable.  And tournaments give you lots of choices for goal setting.

Why Should Black Belts Compete?

Complacency: it’s that simple.   Black belts spend more time at the same rank and in the same class than all other students.  Regular training is GREAT, especially for fitness.  If you go to class regularly, you are doing wonders for your body, you are relieving stress, you sleep better, and you slow down the aging process.

But because black belts do spend so much time at the same rank and in the same class, it is easy to come to think that that is all there is. Fortunately, our black belt academy is NOT an independent study program.  Everyone is working within the same curriculum and under the supervision of an instructor.   Your instructor will always be pushing you out of your comfort zone.  That’s when growth happens –when you are uncomfortable. Always remaining comfortable creates complacency and stagnation.

So black belts, register for the next tournament.   Set a measurable, specific goal.  Decide which of the SEVEN events you like the most.  Then talk to your instructor about how to prepare.  What training tip will you learn from another competitor on tournament day?  What new confidence will you discover at this competition? What error or mistake will you realize is implement change?  What new friends will you make?   You will never know the answers to those questions without going!  So do it!   Remember, Eternal GM H.U. Lee says, “to compete is to win!”   And that is true!

Why Should Tiny Tigers Compete?

The decision for a TINY TIGER to compete is easy.  WHY?  Simply because TINY TIGERS DO NOT ACTUALLY COMPLETE!    That’s right!  There are NO 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place awards in the TINY TIGER DIVISIONS.  Every child receives the same award.

Parents can simply register a TINY TIGER for a tournament and have no concerns over the “competitive nature” of these events because there is no competition.  (Children over the age of seven and all adults do indeed compete for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place awards in tournaments.)  Although each tiger receives the same award, we do give individual praise and reconigition for various skills, like “best black belt punch,”  “board breaking power,” “following directions”, “strongest front kick” and so on.

TINY TIGER divisions are limited to 8 students and are divided by RANK just like their classes are.

Our goal for TINY TIGERS and their parents is to learn these important points about ATA Regional and In- School tournaments:

1. The tournament experience builds confidence by doing new and different things and meeting new and different people.
2. Even for TINY TIGERS, getting up to perform is exciting and fun which leads to feelings of pride and accomplishment.
3. Tiny Tigers and their families can watch divisions of other age and rank groups compete and come to understand what’s in store for the future.
4. You’ll find numerous examples of respect, self-control, and courtesy at tournaments.
5. Encouraging your Tiny Tiger to celebrate everyone’s “win” builds sportsmanship and camaraderie.
6. Helping a child as young as 3 get over fear and anxiety of new experiences is PRICELESS!

 Fears Confronted Head-On

      He went on: “But I’ve found the more I do martial arts, the more these little fears melt away.  And that improves every aspect of my life.  I feel more in control, more positive and carefree.  For me, living without fear is one of the greatest gifts your program has given me”.

 Brings Them to the Surface

      He’s not alone.  I’ve heard this from a lot of people.  We all face hidden fears. And in many cases, people aren’t even consciously aware of them until martial arts brings them to the surface.   Once these fears are dealt with, you can feel less guarded, open up to the world more and enjoy life like you really should. 

 What Is Fear and How Does Fear Affect You?

      While it can be useful in some very short-term situations, most of the time fear paralyzes you and muddies your thinking.  This is called the fight-or-flight response.  Stress hormones are released, you feel a surge of adrenaline, your body tenses and your vision narrows. While this is okay for a sudden burst of energy to run from a charging rhino, it’s terrible in a self-defense situation. It freezes anything but your gross motor skills, makes your movements rigid and clunky and clouds your mind.  Conquering fear and remaining calm in any situation is one of the hallmarks of Karate for Kids training.  Here are some of the ways we accomplish that:

 1.) Competence Creates Confidence –

   Karate for Kids hones your techniques over time so they are instinctive and reflexive.  This means the more you do them, the more they become part of you.  You know exactly what to do in any given self-defense situation. And you’ll find that simply having a plan in self-defense situations reduces your fear.  You’re no longer paralyzed by thoughts of, “Uh-oh…what am going to do?” Or “Which move should I use.”

   Instead, you use those critical moments to act…not think.  This produces a clear, calm mind and attitude.  But – this can only be achieved once your techniques become second nature.  That’s why I like to say that Karate for Kids training teaches competence (being able to perform your moves correctly and with maximum effectiveness) and that competence breeds confidence.  The more techniques you learn, the more confident you become.  It’s simple: when you know your stuff, you can walk without fear. 

 2.) Tournaments –

      Let’s face it: One of the biggest fears is fear of the unknown. In a martial arts situation, this means confronting an attacker you’ve never faced before.   You have no idea what they’re going to do.

      One of the ways we help counter this is by allowing you to train (or spar) with many different opponents… even higher ranks in some cases.  The more people you’re exposed to in training, the better you’ll be on the street. 

     However, if you train against the same people day after day in our academy, you’ll notice sparring starts to become predicable: your partners will often throw the same moves, react the same way to your techniques, and keep you off balance less and less. How do you overcome this?  How do you mix it up and keep yourself sharp?  One of the best ways is by competing in a tournament. 

    Although it’s a safe, controlled environment, a tournament keeps you sharp because your opponents are less predictable.  When you compete, you really have no idea what to expect from your opponent.  In most cases, you’ve never even seen them before.  This is good.  It’s much closer to a real life self-defense situation than simply sparring.  

     Over time, as you find yourself competing in more and more tournaments, you’ll notice something familiar happening: your tournament opponents will start to become predictable, too.

      This is good.  If you can predict the moves strangers will throw at you, it means you’re now ready for the vast majority of moves you’ll confront on the street.  Even better, you’ll have the same confident, calm attitude you do while sparring.  This is another big way Karate for Kids helps you conquer fear: tournaments.

3.) Pushes Your Limits

      The first moment you step into our academy, you’ve built your confidence and overcome a fear.   How?  Simple: You’re doing something new, taking on a big challenge and adopting a student mindset.  Then, when you start training, you overcome even more fears: feeling uncomfortable, looking silly (you don’t), fears that you’re not good enough, not learning quickly enough, and so on.  Every step of the way, you’re confronting fears and overcoming them – no matter how small.  Babin’s Karate for Kids training really pushes your limits. 

     This means you’re getting out of your “comfort zone” – and this is the only place growth occurs. Starting as a beginner – and simply putting yourself out there to learn martial arts – sets you apart from so many other people who never take on this incredible challenge.

      Think of how many fears you’ve overcome just by getting out there and doing it.  They may not be big fears, but they still affect you.  Little fears add up.  By throwing yourself into martial arts challenges step by step, you blast away at your fears step by step.

 4.) Develops Your Sixth Sense –

      Another important part of living fear-free is knowing which threats are real- and which are not.  In my view, most people are good, law-abiding people who want the same things you do: happiness, security for their family, safety, good relationships with others and mutual respect. 

     But the reality is this: there are some bad apples out there.  And you need to be able to tell who is a bad apple and who is not.  This is a skill honed through our martial arts training. 

     We help you answer questions such as: “What are the threats?  What is a genuine danger and what is not?   Who do I need to watch out for?   How do I tell if a situation is turning a corner and actually becoming dangerous?”

     Much of this comes from simple awareness.  We teach you how to read body language and tell whether or not you’re in a dangerous situation. 

      This helps you know when to relax and when to be alert.  After all, you don’t have to be on guard all the time – that’s simply no way to live.   On the other hand, there are some times when you need to pay special attention to your surroundings.  This is where your “sixth sense” comes in.  Developing your sixth sense is yet another way Karate for Kids training helps you relax and overcome your fears.

5.) Leadership –

      Finally, let’s talk about our leadership program.  This is truly the pinnacle of our martial arts training.  Leadership is simple.  It means you assume an “alpha” role in our academy and start helping and guiding others.

      There are so many ways becoming a leader blasts away at old fears.  Let’s take a simple example: speaking in front of a group.  Did you know that this fear consistently ranks at the top of the list for most people?  It’s true. 

     Well, in our leadership program we condition you to being in front of people front and center.   You’ll teach you how to motivate others and speak in front of groups.  This is a crucial life skill for success in school…and career.  In fact, many people feel this life skill alone makes becoming a leader worthwhile.  You simply can’t make it to the top in any type of career without stellar public speaking skills.  It’s just expected these days.

      Of course, by mentoring and teaching others, your skills also become much more polished.  You’ll “own” your techniques much more quickly than simply being a student.

      And as you start assuming a leadership role, you’ll find your self-confidence rising.  You’ll carry yourself differently.  You’ll hold your head higher.  You’ll have better eye contact.  You’ll move differently. 

      All of these “alpha moves” telegraph an important message to others: “don’t challenge me”.  Because of this, you’ll find people treat you very differently: they’ll treat you with more respect.  As that happens, old fears will naturally melt away. 

      After all, the best way to create lasting change is by working from the “inside out”.  When you work on yourself and take on new challenges, you find yourself blasting away at old fears one-by-one and replacing them with something else: new-found confidence. 

 —Chief Master William J. Babin

 The Two Parts to Achieving a Goal

      There are two parts to any goal: the destination and the journey. The destination, of course, is the end result you want to achieve.  It’s the next rank, tournament win, new stripe, improved grade, or whatever else you’re aiming for.

The journey, on the other hand, is the day-to-day effort you invest in achieving your goal.  It’s all the little steps that make up the path you take to reach your goal.

I like to think of the destination as the “big picture” and the journey as the “details”.

 Different Sides of the Same Coin

      Both parts are important.  They’re like two sides of the same coin.  So the key to harnessing the power of goal-setting lies in the middle.  You must always strike a balance between your day-to-day efforts and focusing on your final goal itself.

If you only focus on the end goal – without backing it with action – you’re simply a dreamer.  On the other hand, if you only  go through the motions day after day without direction or purpose,  you’re a drifter.  The secret of hitting your goals is simple: You need to avoid both extremes: don’t be a dreamer or a drifter.

Here at Babin’s Karate for Kids academy we spend a lot of time setting goals and visualizing results.   After all, you have to know where you’re going in order to get somewhere.  But this month, I want to focus on the other side of the goal-setting coin: I want to talk about the journey.

At first you might be tempted to think the reason to set a goal is to get that final outcome you want – the new rank, stripe, better grade, etc.  But oftentimes, you may discover that simply walking the path towards your goal contains the life-changing benefit you’re really after.  That your journey is what it’s all about.

 Take Time to Smell the Flowers

     Sometimes we get so wrapped up in achieving big things that we forget to focus on the moment.  John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”.  In other words, take time to be “present” with all the little things that make being a part of Karate for Kids so special.  I’m talking about things like…

The camaraderie and the great friends you’ve made… the feeling of accomplishment when you walk off the floor (or mat)…the simple routine of tying on your belt…the pride you feel when you move up a rank…the knowledge that you’re one of the few people on this earth who are part of an honorable and ancient martial arts lineage.  And so on.  The day-to-day of being a martial artist.

Big achievers know how to strike a balance between focusing on their long-term target on the one hand… and what they have to do on a daily basis to hit that target.  They keep the big picture foremost in their minds…while at the same time…doing whatever it is they need to do to hit that goal.

Super-achievers know the path is where you grow as a person, increase your skills and thrust yourself to a whole new level.  They also know that in many cases, the true value sometimes lies in the path itself, not just the destination.

 A Story You’ll Recognize

      Here’s a story to illustrate my point.  I’ll use something everybody will recognize: the classic movie, “The Wizard of Oz”.  As you’ll recall, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion each had a goal in mind.  Dorothy wanted to get back home to Kansas.  The Scarecrow wanted a brain.  The Tin Man wanted a heart and the Lion wanted courage.  After learning the Wizard of Oz could grant them their wishes, they set out on a journey to meet him.

After many days, they finally stood before the great Oz.  They meekly asked him to grant their wishes.  He said, “I have every intention of granting your requests.  But you must first prove yourself worthy by performing a very small task.” 

And that’s where the journey began.  After many tests, they finally did accomplish this “small task” and delivered the broomstick to the Wizard.

But they soon discovered the Wizard really didn’t really have the power to grant their wishes.  Did that matter?  No. They finally realized they themselves developed these traits while on their journey.

Take the Lion, for example.  His goal was to have courage.  On the journey, he battled flying monkeys, confronted the Wicked Witch and faced his fears head-on.

So in the process of going for the goal, he transformed himself.

That’s why the wizard didn’t have to “give” courage to him.  The Lion developed courage himself. All the Wizard had to do was pin a medal on him to signify what the Lion went through and achieved.  Thus, the Lion did indeed get his wish in the end – but from a different source.  The journey held the true benefit he was looking for.

Now, you might think this is just a simple children’s story.  On the surface, it is. But if you take a deeper look, you’ll realize it reveals a very powerful truth:

While you may at first think your end result is what you want, often you’ll find that the journey itself contains the real, yet hidden, value. 

  Overcoming Challenges

      You may have started at Karate for Kids by admiring the black belts in our academy and wishing you had that rank, too.  And that’s great.  That’s your end goal.  But keep in mind that a black belt is just like the Lion’s medal: it stands for all the challenges a black belt has overcome.  Stuff like…

All the fears he or she has faced while rising through the ranks…

• All the times he or she didn’t feel like going to class but pushed through anyway…
• Tournaments they attended, challenging themselves where they squared off against competitors…
• The times they’ve mentored lower ranks and helped them on their own journey…
• The loyalty, dedication and perseverance they’re shown over the years…
• The sweat, effort and personal sacrifice they went through to hit their goals along the way…
• And all the other challenges they’ve overcome on the path to becoming a black belt.

That’s why the rank of black belt means so much.  Black belts walk the talk.

 Focusing on the Journey

     How you handle your journey – the day-to-day – predicts your success long-term.  You see, many people set a goal, stumble on the journey and give up.  They lose sight of the reasons they set the goal in the first place, forget to practice on a daily basis or never develop the perseverance to hit their target.  There are a million reasons some people don’t achieve much.  Basically, it boils down to this…

They don’t pay the price on a daily basis to get what they want.

 The Journey Separates The Serious From the Curious.

      How people handle the journey tells you a lot about their intentions.  Do they put in the effort?  Do they do what it takes to get to their goal?  Are they all talk?  Or do they back it with action?

A wise man once said, “The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.“

 Your Daily Habits Do Set You Up for Success

     The key to having a successful journey is in your daily habits. 

So I have some questions for you: What do you do in your daily routine?  Is it moving you closer or farther away from your goal?  What are you going to do today to get one step nearer to your goal?  What specific actions are you going to take?  All you really have is today.  What are you going to do with it?

It’s not enough to talk.  Anybody can do that.  It’s the doing that’s the hard part.  The journey is where you test yourself to the limit.  Be realistic in your goals and back them with  physical actions on a daily basis that propel you to your goal, step by step. 

No, the Journey Isn’t Always Glamorous

      It’s often said that “The world wants to see the baby, but they don’t want to hear about the labor pains”.   That’s an apt metaphor because you really are “giving birth” to a new person along your journey.  Just like a snake shedding its skin, when you complete the path, you will emerge a different person.

Don’t believe me?

Then I challenge you to think back to the very first day you started as a white belt.  What were you like then?  Were you the same person?  Of course not.  It was the day-in-day-out that changed you.  Little by little, you transformed yourself into a new person – a true martial artist.  You may not have noticed the changes while they were happening, but they are real and they add up.

 Your Monthly Call to Action

      This month, I want you to focus on your daily routine.  How can you change it to help you reach your goals?   Think about all the little things you can do every day to get one step closer to your goal.  Of course, don’t forget about the big picture, either.  Remember to keep a balance between focusing on your target (goal) and doing what it takes to get there.

– Chief Master Babin

For the last four years, Ireland Fleck has been involved in only one activity—our KARATE FOR KIDS program.

“We had been hearing from her doctors and teachers that her coordination was behind,” Carla Fleck, Ireland’s mother said. “Ireland had expressed an interest in karate and it seemed like it would help with coordination.  So we thought we’d try it.”

“I don’t make any uneducated decisions when it comes to my children,” Carla explained. “So we went to two other karate schools besides here.  Some of them had nicer, newer facilities but we felt the most comfortable here, because of the way Mr. Babin treated us.  At the other schools, the treatment was too social.   Mr. Babin was not about sales.  He was about finding out what we wanted for Ireland.  The other karate schools gave me the feeling of ‘gymboree,’ like it was just some fun activity.  We were looking for something more serious.”

Ireland started in the Tiny Program at age 4 and quickly developed a drive to achieve.  She even became a little more competitive than her parents expected.  Although she has seen many kids advance quicker than herself, she has never wavered in her effort.  And she takes full responsibility for her own progress, according to her Dad.  K4K comment:    Ireland was lacking in physical coordination, but she never lacked in her understanding about working hard, always doing her best, and learning her safety and life skill lessons.  This is because her parents supported every aspect of her training.  They are not focused on the other students, just their daughter and what she needs to do to succeed.

Ireland’s good discipline is connected to the Tiny Tiger homework sheet.   Her mom says, “Ireland would pick the specific goal she was working on and she would remind us what it was.   Sometimes she would take 2-3 weeks to get it done, and we were really impressed with her sense of responsibility.”   K4K comment:     Using the homework sheets properly will build confidence and a sense of pride in the children.  Giving them small, specific goals to accomplish each week creates the ability to accomplish bigger, more life-changing goals in the future, such as academic goals.

IRELAND’S LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

“In leadership, most of the kids were older and of higher rank.  She was so proud, and in her very first class, she was raising her hand to answer questions.  And she was very good with the hand shake drill and introducing herself and speaking loudly.” Her mother said.  Dad adds: “Leadership creates confidence in her, and I see that.”

Mom mentions another important part of the LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:  “In leadership, the pace of instruction is quicker than in regular class.  It was a barrage of info and she really had to focus because she knew she was not going to get the instructions 2-3 times.   It was a higher expectation.”  K4K comment:    Students need to recognize that you don’t always succeed the first time.  That’s OK, it’s important to learn to keep trying and not give up if something doesn’t fall into place right away.

IRELAND LEARNS TO DEAL WITH DISAPPOINTMENT
Dad says, “As a parent you want your child always to succeed.  It’s actually more difficult on the parent to see a failure, and parents are always quick to be more critical of other children.”

And mom explains probably one of the biggest and most important truths of parenting:  “We tell her if you did not get your form perfect this time, that’s ok.  You can’t worry about other kids; this is not a team sport.  It’s about you making yourself better.  We (ourselves) need to be careful that we don’t point out the faults of other kids or make comments about other children because she hears everything we say.    It is not up to us to question what other kids are doing or why someone else got a belt and Ireland did not.  That makes no sense when we are telling her to focus on herself and make herself better.  We understand that Mrs. Babin has chosen a path for Ireland, just like she has done so for the other students in the class.”  K4K comment:   Each student has his own challenges and gifts.  It’s the responsibility of the instructor to recognize this and create a plan for each child to succeed.  What is right and appropriate for one child many not be the same for another.  So when parents are observing “inconsistencies”, it’s actually the instructor doing her job!

 IRELAND’S BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Mom and Dad agree here emphatically: “Getting her recommended black belt after receiving a no change two months earlier has been her biggest accomplishment.  She wanted it and worked hard outside of class as well to get it.  It’s a big stepping stone to a future milestone.”  K4K comment:  The students are encouraged to do strength-developing drills at home for better kicking ability (takes about 10 minutes) and Ireland did just that.  It is probably the one thing that gave her the confidence to face the challenge of board breaking.

Dad says:  “A No Change is a disappointment that nobody wants a kid to go through, but it’s also what life is about.   The No Change caused her more pain than she has ever been through, but it is reality.  And because of her heart condition, she has been poked and prodded through many medical procedures.  We thought that was tough, but the No Change was tougher.”

Carla added:  “Despite this stress and disappointment of not breaking or of watching someone else get a belt when she did not, she has never once said she wanted to quit.”

K4K comment:  Ireland’s success in Karate for Kids is directly related to her parents support.  She has not had an easy time moving through the ranks, but her parents never gave up on her, instilled a strong work ethic in her, and have trusted her instructors.  They have relied on her instructors’ experience and foresight to guide Ireland to be her best possible self: and of course, earn her black belt.

 WHY SHOULD OTHER PARENTS GET THEIR KIDS STARTED:

 Shannon:   “You have to feel comfortable with what you’re getting for your kids.   Karate for Kids is not just an activity.  It is a life-changing event.    It is something that the kids live every day because there is a lot of great things that you learn here.  And I advise “karate parents” to listen to the instructors.  Be open, have a conversation.  Every kid has to have his own path.”

 Carla:  “Once she gets her black belt, she has that forever!  But going to dance, when she gets older, doesn’t mean she is a dancer.   And being a girl, I tell her that bad people sometimes think girls are a good target.  But I want her to feel safe.   I don’t think this is an activity where you drop your kid off and leave.  You need to reinforce what they are learning here.   It is not about the moves.  It is about what they are learning—values—and you need to reinforce that at home.”

Five Key Secrets

     I’m going to reveal five key secrets that, when you apply them, will make any of your martial arts skills much more powerful and help you get the very most out of what you’re learning.  Ready?  Here goes:

 Focus on the Basics

     I say this time and time again.  Focus on your fundamentals!  Out of all the techniques you learn, they are truly the most important.  Why?  The answer is simple: Your basic techniques (yes, even white belt moves!) are your foundation.  These moves form the base which all of your advanced techniques build upon.  Take a look at any top martial artist and I guarantee you’ll find someone who has drilled the basics so many times they’ve become second nature. 

     This is true in other sports as well.  Take basketball, for example.  Superstar Michael Jordan stunned fans with his physics-defying “air” on the basketball court.  His buzzer-beating three-point shots bordered on the unbelievable.  And his clutch wins shocked everybody – other teams included.  When you say the name “Michael Jordan”, you think “flash”.  But off the court, Michael Jordan was a very humble man who took the basics very seriously.  Here’s a quote from Michael Jordan himself:

“Fundamentals are the most crucial part of my game in the NBA. Everything I did, everything I achieved, can be traced back to the way I approached the fundamentals and how I applied them to my abilities. They really are the basic building blocks or principles that make everything work.  I don’t care what you’re doing or what you’re trying to accomplish — you can’t skip fundamentals if you want to be the best. The minute you get away from fundamentals, the bottom can fall out. You have to monitor your fundamentals constantly because the only thing that never changes will be your attention to them.

      “The fundamentals will never change. It comes down to a very simple saying: There is a right way and a wrong way to do things.  You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your fundamentals are wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.  Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.”

     Wise words from one of the all-time greats.  Drill your basics repeatedly.  Get them into your blood so they’re reflexive.  And even when you move onto more advanced techniques, go back and hone your basics.  For example, other players were astonished when they saw Michael Jordan practicing free throws by himself on the court after a big game.  Now that’s what I call a focus on fundamentals.

Specialize In the Moves Meant for You.

     Specialization is a big key to success at Karate for Kids.  This is true of self-defense situations as well as rank promotions and competitions.  While you must learn all the moves we teach (and you do learn a lot!), down the road you can start to specialize more.  This means you can choose your favorite moves from everything you’ve learned from us.  You will develop your own “signature style” – your own “bag of tricks”. 

     Let’s face it: There are some moves that are simply more effective for you – as an individual – to perform than others.  Some techniques feel more comfortable to you than others.  That’s natural.  If you feel your sidekick is more effective than your round kick, then the next time you compete, rely on your side kick to get the job done.

     The reason specializing helps your technique is simple: When you focus on a small set of “go-to” moves and techniques, you can perfect them much more easily than, say, thousands of  different techniques.  It’s the old “quality over quantity” idea.

    In the book The 80/20 Principle, author Richard Koch reveals a fascinating universal law he calls the “80/20 Principle”.  Scientifically proven time and time again, the law goes like this: In most cases, 80% of results come from only 20% of your efforts.  For example, 80% of a business’ sales come from 20% of its customers.  20% of people in the country own 80% of the wealth.  20% of intersections create 80% of traffic jams. And so on.  You see this principle everywhere in life.  I bet if you did a study of our tournaments, you’d find that 80% of tournament wins result from 20% of available techniques. 

     Test this for yourself.  The next time you’re at a tournament, take note of the winning techniques.  I bet the same “bread-and-butter” moves come up over and over. When you focus on a  small handful of very effective moves, you can master them more easily.

      Bruce Lee said, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” 

Strive for Simplicity

     Oftentimes, the simplest moves are the best.  Why?  Because simple moves waste very little motion.  They also are natural and intuitive.  If you’re in a self-defense situation, you want to choose the technique that will eliminate the threat as quickly as possible…and with the greatest chance of success.  Your basic moves fall into this category.  When trying to choose between a flashy, complicated move and a solid, simple move – opt for the simple move… especially in a self-defense situation!

Attend Tournaments

      I mentioned tournaments a moment ago.  I believe it really is important to compete. Why? Is it to come home with trophies and medals?  Is it for the accolades?  No.  The main reason is to learn in a new way.  In a tournament, you get to test your skills against a new opponent you rarely spar or never sparred with before.   This is much closer to a real street confrontation because you don’t know what to expect.  Your opponent will throw new moves at you from angles you’ve never experienced before.  This gives you a chance to fine-tune your skills, discover what works best for you and improve your techniques in a big way. 

Teach Others

    The final (and possibly the most powerful) way to improve your own techniques is to teach others.  Trust me: if you really want to learn something well, try teaching it to somebody else.   And if you really want to see how well you really know something – try teaching it to somebody else. 

     Here’s why this works: First, you get to analyze your techniques in-depth.  You’ll really understand the mechanics of the move (the “kinetic chain”). Second, you get more repetition on that technique because you perform it more when teaching it to somebody else.  Finally, you get to see the most common mistakes people make when performing a technique.  You can then avoid these same mistakes, too.

     Teaching is a huge secret.  Look at all the great masters in our art.  Is it any wonder they’re all instructors, too?  Advancing to the level of mentor and teacher is a natural progression in martial arts.  When you teach, not only do you enrich another person’s life, but your own techniques improve dramatically.  It’s a win-win.  (By the way, we have a special leadership program for students who would like to move up to a leadership role and start teaching others.  See me for more information!)

Your Call to Action

     This month I want you to focus on perfecting your techniques using the five methods I just outlined.  Above all, focus on your fundamentals this month.  They’ll make everything more solid!

—Chief Master Babin

Articulate, Expressive, Ambitious, Confident

Those are the words that best describe RYLEE BACHUS, our student of the month.  Indeed, her enthusiasm to talk about her KARATE FOR KIDS experience—as well as the skill of her oral delivery– is testimony to how much she has learned here about being a leader.

Two and a half years ago, the K4K staff led a “safety festival” at nearby Porter Elementary.   One of the activities was breaking boards.  Well, Rylee did that just once and had to have more.  She took the free month offered and hasn’t stopped since.

Rylee says:  “I had tried other activities—ballet, ice skating, even violin.  I didn’t find them exciting enough.   KARATE FOR KIDS was fun the first time I tried it.”

Dad commented:  “It was absolutely Rylee’s idea to get started.”

One of the things that appealed to Rylee was that in KARATE FOR KIDS she could do everything all the boys did, not like in other sports.   And she is totally driven to achieve and to lead the way as a girl.

Dad says that KARATE FOR KIDS has helped Rylee in many ways.   “She’s learned self discipline, personal responsibility, accountability, and organizational skills.   She has absolutely made improvements in her discipline and personal responsibility.  For example the fact that she has to keep track of all her personal belongings and know where they are.   She has really improved with that, and not just her gear and weapons, but all her personal belongings.”

Mom adds:  “I was hoping she would gain discipline and improve manners, especially to be more respectful to teachers and peers.  She had struggled with peer relationships in grade school.   She has always done well academically, but her relationships with peers were challenging.  And now she is much more patient with kids her age, and even with her little sister, where there’s a big age difference. She’s really great picking up her room and helping around the house.”

I asked Dad if there was anything unexpected that he has seen Rylee learn.  “The leadership training has been very impressive, especially specific training on eye contact and public speaking.   I was totally surprised at how she is being nurtured to be a leader.  She is doing stuff that will totally improve her quality of life.   The stuff she learns in leadership now will affect her in a good way in 5 year, or 10 year, or 20 years.   I can’t say enough good things about this place and what Rylee is learning.”

Rylee says: “I give reports at school and I’m much more comfortable speaking in front of people.”

.Mom adds:  “I was surprised at how involved and excited she has been.   Her interest is as strong now as it was at the very beginning.  She loves helping as a JUNIOR LEADER, and she seems to be more active outside of KARATE FOR KIDS, by doing rollerblading and swimming.   She is even paying attention to what she eats.  And she is taking a strength and conditioning class this summer.  I know that she would never have done that before KARATE FOR KIDS.  She would have been too scared. The class has football players and older kids in it.  But now she has plenty of confidence to get in there!   And I also feel that she can take care of herself by using the self defense and safety she has learned.”

In our Student of the Month interviews, we always talk about struggle and both Dad and Rylee had some interesting things to say:  “Rylee has always done well in school, but when she came upon that one thing that was challenging, she would get frustrated.  Now, she is more accustomed to being challenged, to facing things that are difficult for her, to facing high standards of performance.  And she now understands more about how you can get frustrated, but you also need to get the job done anyway.”

Rylee adds:  “It’s hard not to get upset when you fail, but you learn to get through it.  I think that it’s ok to fail as long as you learn something.”

Mom added: “During a recent tournament, her first event as a black belt, she did not place at all.  She was disappointed, but she was happy for Lexi, her friend (student of the month in July)—also a brand  new black belt—who took 2^nd place.   She analyzed the experience, realized that it was her first black belt competition and she had sparred a state champ, accepted her results, and  then and moved on.  And she made a friend who gave her a big hug and said,‘ win some, loose some’”.

Rylee says that earning her black belt is “the biggest and most memorable thing I will ever go through.   But the thing I gained the most out of KARATE FOR KIDS is emotional and mental strength.  I’m more self aware and prepared for life.” She added: “It has made me a better listener.   I have always been ahead of the pace of my class in school and KARATE FOR KIDS has made me more patient.”

What advise do Rylee’s parents have for other parents thinking about enrolling their children?

Dad:  “Get started now!    KARATE FOR KIDS has so many things to offer to all people of all ages.  It would be impossible for someone not to find an enormous amount of beneficial things to take away from her.  It’s the best thing to do to improve the life of any child.  KARATE FOR KIDS incorporates real life lessons.  No other sport does that.”

Mom:   “It’s great for discipline and to boost confidence.  And I feel good that she can keep herself safe.   She has made real friends here, which had been challenging at school.  I know she is more respectful to teachers and to me, especially around the house.”

Winning Through Perseverance

We often hear from member that they see past students around town.  They almost always ask, “Are you still at Karate for Kids?” My answer is always “of course!”  Then I hear: “That’s awesome.  I wish I had stuck with it.  I would have been a black belt, too.” (They always say this with a look of regret in their eyes, too).

While I’m sad they didn’t continue, it serves as a reminder of how far you’ve come.  It also reminds us how well we stuck to our goals when others fell by the wayside.  It’s a self-esteem booster for you.  And that really is the secret to being great in any endeavor – staying the course over the long haul.

Really, to be successful at Karate for Kids, you don’t have to be the strongest athlete or the most flexible person.  Or even have the toughest physically. No, when you start, none of those things matter.  What does matter is your ability to persevere.  Because in the long run, it’s not where you start, it’s where you end up that matters.

We Grow At Our Own Pace.

You’ve heard the old “Tortoise and Hare” fable, haven’t you? The Hare rushes through the race, sees the Tortoise way behind him and takes a “breather” midway through the race.  But not the Tortoise.  He knows he’s not as fast as the hare.  So he stays focused and moves at his own pace.  And to everybody’s surprise, he wins. That is the essence of “perseverance”.

Life Is Not a Sprint.  It’s a Marathon.

Like any other trait, you can develop perseverance.  The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.  Here are some of the powerful ways our training helps   develop your perseverance “muscles”.

Teaches You to Master Your Emotions.

It’s easy to give in to momentary impulses and derail your hard-won efforts (like the hare).  Take dieting, for example.  One of the biggest blunders is saying, “What the heck, this one time won’t hurt.”  People give in to a momentary whim and before you know it, a snowball effect has happened.  That one slice of chocolate cake turns into two pieces of chocolate cake.  Then a piece the next day.  And so on.  Your emotions can lead you astray if you’re not careful.

Learning how to master your emotions through the martial arts helps you to develop perseverance and fuels you with a willingness to carry on to reach your goals, no matter what the cost.

A martial arts blogger named Logtar says that martial arts training teaches you to develop your second mental wind.   “This is the part of us that determines whether or not we quit, keep going, or intensify our efforts during difficult times”, he says.  Once you discover what stops you, you can then find ways to overcome those obstacles.

Another benefit: when you are master of your emotions, it’s easier to avoid very dangerous whims of the moment like drinking, smoking and other risky behavior!

Helps You Focus on the “Big Picture”

Whenever you feel discouraged, it’s usually because you’re focused on the present moment…or the immediate challenge at hand.  But when you step back and realize your  current obstacle is only a tiny hiccup on the path to a bigger goal, it puts things into focus.

We help you concentrate on the big picture.  You then gain something very important: perspective.  When you step back from your challenge and see it from a better point of view, it builds your perseverance because you can see the big picture – the forest, not just the trees.

Instills a Lifelong Mindset of Learning and Growing

Take a look around our academy.  All the higher ranks you see are people who have embraced learning and growing.  They’re people who put aside their egos, learned to be humble and adopted a “beginner’s mind”.  They know that every single day there is always more to discover about martial arts.

You’ll meet more and more people like this the more you rise through the ranks.  In fact, I would argue that you can’t make it to the rank of master without great humility as well as believing “there is always more to learn”.   (I’ve also noticed most true masters in any field – not just martial arts – are humble deep down and always strive to improve themselves.)

Yes, your higher ranks are an incredible resource for you.  Talk to any of them to share your concerns and discuss your challenges.  Ask for their advice and find out how they broke through their own barriers.  What did they do to take it to the next level?

Babin’s Karate for Kids Teaches Triumph

Success leads to more success.   Everybody knows that.  But to achieve anything great in life, you must first know what it’s like to accomplish small goals.  You have to start small and work your way up.

Since martial arts presents and ever-increasing series of challenges (stripes, belts, ranks, techniques, etc.), it’s a perfect way to flex your “personal victory” muscles.  Every day, week and month there is something to conquer, a new technique to learn or a new challenge.  You feel what accomplishment is like.

It might be something simple, like a self-defense technique.  Or it could be something more difficult, like winning at a regional tournament.  Whatever the goal, when you achieve it, it leads to greater confidence and carries you through to more success.

Then, when you confront an even bigger challenge, you can say to yourself, “Sure, this seems tough right now.  But so did winning at the last tournament.  And so did earning my blue belt.  In fact, those seemed almost impossible at the time.  I know I can do this, too.  I’m going to press on”.  Small victories add up to big success.

This constant series of challenges is what makes Karate for Kids so fun.  But it is also why it can be frustrating at times.  It’s NOT easy.  That’s why martial artists are viewed as such elite athletes.  And it’s also why it’s so rewarding personally when you hit your goals.  There’s no better feeling in the world.

Develops a Winning Attitude

We’ve all heard the phrase “A black belt is just a white belt who never quit”. How true this is.  A lot comes down to your attitude.  Studies reveal those who are positive live longer, enjoy more relationships with others, have fewer health problems and enjoy more successful careers.

This is one of the big reasons we help instill a “black belt attitude” in all our students – it’s a critical ingredient in developing perseverance.  After all, what is a winning attitude anyway?  Self-talk is a big part of it.  When your internal voice is positive, it leads to greater action.  On the other hand, when your self-talk is negative, you become your own worst enemy.  Those with negative attitudes defeat themselves before they even get out of the gate.  We show you how to turn “can’t do” into “can do”.

But The Most Important Point of All….We Will Never Give Up on You!

If you do your part by attending classes regularly, practicing, listening and staying focused – we’ll do our part.  We’re going to thrust you to a whole new level – physically as well as mentally.  We’ll stand by your side during those tough times and never give up on you.

We’ve seen it all here.  Family struggles, money issues (and who doesn’t have some of those these days!), frustration, brick walls, etc.  All of our higher ranks have gone through the same struggles.  Just remember if one person can do it, so can another.

Wise Advice From a Higher Rank

Here is a valuable piece of advice.   “You have good martial arts days and you have bad martial arts days.  The more you progress, though, the more the good days you’ll have.  Stick with it and you’ll see”.

This is great advice.  So this month I want you to be aware of your  “perseverance muscles”.  Go that little bit extra this month. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Energy and persistence conquer all things”.

Practice perseverance and you’ll be amazed at the results.

—Chief Master William J. Babin