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Register by Wednesday April 21.

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Two simple words sum up Mr. Coachman’s life:

perseverance and service.

And what a set of accomplishments!  Here’s just a few:

• 4^th degree black belt
• certified instructor
• World Top Ten honors for 10 years in a row
• Various state championships

Mr. “C” began his Taekwondo career in 1996 when Senior Master Babin started classes at the Boeing Helicopter plant in Mesa.  Over the last thirteen years, he has trained consistently, earned FOUR black belts, and a WORLD championship.  He eventually became the instructor of the classes in which he started!

His professional career in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY also demonstrates perseverance.  He has been helping engineers at Boeing install, test, deploy, and support software for twenty-six years now!

Let’s take a closer look at his thoughts and philosophy.  He started training for much the same reasons as many of us: “I liked Bruce Lee, David Carradine, and Chuck Norris.  I thought karate was cool.  I liked the power of Bruce Lee, and the patience of David Carradine.  When SMBabin started classes at Boeing, it was really convenient for me and I wanted to get in shape.”

Looking back over thirteen years of regular exercise, Mr. Coachman says: “I accomplished my goal of staying in shape.  I realized that it was based on what I put into it.  I realized that the more I put into it, the more I got out of it.  And I got a lot out of it!”

Earning first degree black belt was a “real milestone” in his life.  He calls it one of his “main accomplishments in life.”^st degree black belt—has led to so many great accomplishments in Mr. Coachman’s life.  What would he have missed—and certainly what would all of us have missed—if he had seen 1^st degree black belt as the END and not as the BEGINNING? And looking back now, all of us can see how perseverance—continuing the discipline of training beyond 1

How did this commitment to service begin?  Mr. C remembers: “I was told to come to a meeting.  I had no idea why I was there or what I was doing, but I followed directions.  By the end of the night, I was invited to join leadership.”

After six years of service to others as an instructor, Mr. Coachman has these comments:  “I’m not sure I would have furthered my Taekwondo career if I had not been an instructor.  That role helped me in several ways:

• It helped me break out of shyness
• It helped me become a better public speaker
• It gave me more confidence

“I can have a good day at work, and after teaching, I have had an even better day.  There’s no way I have ever had a down day after teaching.  It has always made me feel better about life in general.  I love working with the students, being able to give them something they did not have when they came in to class.  Achieving 4th degree does not compare with teaching, because achieving 4^th degree only affects me, but teaching affects other people.” This is the Black Belt quality of service to others.

Over the last two years, Mr. Coachman has been “back at school”.  Yes, while working full-time AND teaching black belts twice a week, he has been taking intensive college courses in which ONE semester of material is condensed into FIVE WEEKS.  Every five weeks for the last two and a half years, he has started a new course.  That was a grueling pace and he did have to give up training and some competitions.  I asked him about that because he did continue to teach when he could easily have taken a break from that as well.  He said simply:  “Although I had to give up training for that time, I did not want my college program to interfere with teaching.”  So all of you who earned 2^nd or 3^rd degree in the last             

two years, should give him an extra note of gratitude.  Mr. Coachman received his B.S. Degree in Management  from University of Phoenix on July 17, 2009.

As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Coachman has earned WORLD TOP TEN honors for several years.  In 2003, after earning the NUMBER TWO spot in the world, he went to Little Rock with hopes of winning a gold medal in sparring.  He was eliminated in the first round.  “I was ranked number two in the world, and I was devastated by that loss.  I became determined to learn what I had done wrong and I committed to earning that number two spot again.”

And so he set out—not thinking so much of a gold medal, but taking it one week

and one tournament at a time, striving to regain that spot in the WORLD TOP TEN.  “I wanted to prove to myself that I was better than what I did in 2003.” He said that he actually did not think about the GOLD MEDAL until after he knew he had qualified for the 2004 Tournament of Champions.  That’s taking the goal one small step at a time and persevering!

You might also find it a little strange when he says this about winning a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: “It was not about winning. It was about achieving.  I remember that journey.  I remember all the competitors.  Every one of my sparring partners was a part of my gold medal.  I said to many of them, ‘I could not have done it without you.’  There’s nothing malicious about competition.  I don’t want to win at all costs.  I want to win on my own terms and that means winning by skill, with respect and control. At that level, you compete with the same people all year.  You become friends.  Then you step into the ring and it’s all business, and then when it’s over, we congratulate each other and we are still friends.”

Mr. Coachman’s words prove that many of the next generation of black belt leaders truly do understand Eternal GrandMaster Lee’s philosophy:”to compete is to win.”

In closing, I asked Mr. Coachman what he would say to someone considering joining our program and his comment was brief and clear;  “The only bad choice you can make is NOT starting.  There’s something in it for everybody.”

Thank you, Mr. Coachman, for showing us what perservance and service are all about!

Some people make the mistake of thinking Karate for Kids is like “any other sport”.  They place it in the same category as say, soccer, basketball, football or baseball.  And it’s true that martial arts builds strength, allows students to compete, fosters a team spirit and helps social skills.  But the similarities end there.  Karate for Kids should not be lumped together with other sports because it’s different.  Very different.  Why?  Because Karate for Kids boasts a unique mix of benefits that other sports simply don’t offer.

Now let me say this: We encourage students to participate in outside sports.  I believe it’s healthy to have many diverse interests.  I do, however, strongly believe that of all the activities you can choose to stay healthy and have fun, Karate for Kids should be at the top of your list.  Here are seven powerful reasons why that’s true, along with some quotes from real Karate Kid parents!

1.) Personal Empowerment

In most sports, you learn life lessons such as “teamwork” and “being a good sport” on the field.  But those life lessons are secondary to the sport itself.  The goal in those sports is to win games.  Not at Karate for Kids.  This is one big area that we differ from other sports.  The life skills you learn here are NOT “by-products” of the training you receive, they are the curriculum!  Personal development and empowerment form the core of our program.  We teach self-confidence, respect, discipline, courtesy, self-control, leadership and many other values as its foundation.  I like to say that Karate for Kids is a very personal journey of self-discovery.  Not all students are going to get that from football, baseball, soccer or any other sport.  But here at Karate for Kids, they do!

Here’s how one parent put it: “My daughter is involved in track, soccer and karate for kids.  I don’t see the same results from her other sports.  There’s nothing wrong with them, but they don’t work on the individual to the same extent that K4K does. This is a real individual self-builder.  The team-building concept is fine, but I think kids need more self-building sports like K4K.”

2.)  100% Practical

Unlike some sports, Karate for Kids is 100% practical.  Let’s take aerobics for example.  Aerobics gives you a great workout.  It helps develop coordination and improve your cardio.  We do this for you also, but it goes even further and gives you another “bonus benefit”:  practical self-defense skills.  Think about it: If you’re investing your valuable time exercising, why not spend it doing something that has lasting practical value?  With us, you never say to yourself, “What’s the use of learning this?  I’ll never use it”.  Instead, you walk off the floor pumped up and invigorated from a great workout with a feeling that you learned something extremely rare and valuable – that can save your life.

Also, because you’re learning a skill set (self-defense), the workouts fly by.  Not so with stair-steppers, weight-lifting or spin classes.  Most people give up on those eventually because they get bored.

3.)  Lifelong Involvement

With most competitive sports, once childhood is over, so are your competitive years.  For example, the vast majority of little-leaguers never go on to play college baseball or make it to the minor leagues.   In fact, most people are done playing baseball by age 18.  But here at Karate for Kids your growth, learning, fitness and ability to compete never has to stop due to age.  Did you know, for example, that there are divisions at tournaments for seniors?  Absolutely!  It was inspiring to see Mr. Slevin (age 65+) doing his form and competing in the February 6 Gathering of Eagles Tournament!  It’s also humbling, too, because it strips away your own excuses!

Here’s what another Karate Kid parent said about this: “Karate for Kids is something you can do your entire life.  My son will be a black belt when he’s 30, 40 and 50 years old.  There’s no age limit.  With other sports, such as football, it might be great for the time being, but there will be a time when you just can’t do it anymore.  With Taekwondo, you can.  The skills you learn as a child you can use your entire life.”

Lifelong involvement.  Just one more thing that sets Karate for Kids apart from most other sports.

4.)  It’s Year Round!

With most sports, once the season is over, it’s time to hang up the cleats for the year.  But with us, the “season” never ends.  Since training is done indoors, you can train year-round without the fear of bad weather.  Rain, snow and extreme temperatures can’t interfere with your progress.  This is also one of the secrets of why veteran martial artists are so fit: they can train consistently and maintain their fitness level over the course of the year!

5.)  Job Skills

Earning a black belt is like earning a college degree.  Ever think about that?  Once you reach a certain level of proficiency, you can actually earn money teaching classes.  Martial arts skills are also job skills that are in demand.  Granted, you may not want to become a school owner or teach as a career.  That’s okay.  But you can instruct on a part-time basis and earn money on the side.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you have a child going off to college in a few years.  Chances are, they’ll need a little spending money while on campus.  What would you rather see them do: Flip burgers at the local fast food joint…or stay in shape, continue to be surrounded by peers that are goal oriented and self disciplined and help others change their lives?

Of course, with other sports, you can try to earn money in it, but let’s be realistic: how many people really make it as a professional soccer or football player?  With Karate for Kids, having a part or full-time career is 100% realistic.  Even with this lackluster economy, demand is growing for quality instructors all over the country.  Yet another huge payoff for a martial artists like you!

6.)  Enhances Other Sports

You do NOT have to choose between Karate for Kids and another sport.  You can do both. In fact, many of the top martial artists participate in many other sports.

But here’s the surprising thing martial artists discover when they start another sport:  Their martial arts skills translate perfectly onto the basketball court, soccer field or golf course!  Your confidence, flexibility, agility, coordination and conditioning give you a leg up in other sports.  Here’s yet another parent’s experience:

“Karate for Kids has helped my son, Jack, excel at school sports. He’s currently playing baseball and basketball in addition to Karate for Kids.  One of the biggest improvements is his flexibility. He’s more flexible than all the other players.  Martial arts has also helped his speed and jumping ability.  Jack is now the highest jumper on his basketball team even though he’s not close to being the tallest.  His overall coordination has improved, too.  I’ve seen a very big improvement and so have his coaches.”

Because of the confidence and leadership abilities Karate for Kids instills in students, other players look up to the martial artist on the playing field.  Show me a baseball, soccer or football player who is ALSO a martial artist and I’ll show you a team leader.

Remember: Doing martial arts and another sport isn’t an “either or” proposition.  You can do both!

7.)  No Benchwarmers!

This is perhaps one of the most refreshing things about Karate for Kids vs. other sports: no kid is a benchwarmer.  Whatever your ability level, you have a home here.  Every student participates equally and you will be treated with respect and dignity.  That’s not true of some other sports.  I’ve heard heartbreaking stories about kids who were shunned socially because they didn’t have good athletic skills or didn’t make the cut.  But that doesn’t happen here.  We support each other as a family.

Again, the motivation behind Karate for Kids is different: it’s a journey of personal discovery and development.  That’s our goal.  But for other sports, the goal is to win games.  No, there is no such thing as “the last kid picked” K4K.  That alone is a self-confidence booster for anybody!

Summary:

So if you’re looking for something to keep your kids active, healthy and safe…Karate for Kids should be at the top of your list.  There’s no other athletic endeavor that rolls so many positive benefits into one as Karate for Kids.  You’ve made a great choice!

— Senior Master Babin

A Real Transformation

If you had videotaped Abhi Sathish two years ago when he transferred to Karate for Kids in Mesa as a blue belt and then watched him earn his black belt just a few weeks ago, you would have been awed by thetransformation. The video tape would have revealed a 5 year old blue belt who had no power or accuracy to break boards, could not focus enough to memorize forms, and was timid in sparring.

But when he tested for black belt, you saw a tiny, 40-lb, 7 year old smash through his green boards with a punch and step reverse side kick, moved through his form  (44 movements)  with confidence, focus, and power, and kicked and punched with intention in sparring while evading and blocking as well.

And just a few weeks ago at the GATHERING OF EAGLES V tournament, Abhi took 2^nd place in sparring, 3^rd place in forms, an 3^rd place in weapons.

Here’s a success story that really bears close examination.

Originally his parents, Sathish and Viji were looking for something to help their 3 ½ year old son, build focus. They had noticed that he became bored easily and just wanted to move from one activity to another, instead of learning to focus.   They wanted him to have “more self discipline—to learn to concentrate on one activity and to build focus, rather than quitting and moving on to something else”. At one point they had him tested for the usual things like ADHD but the tests were negative.

The irony here is that they learned that Abhi was actually gifted and needed a different approach to learning.   He needed more of  a challenge. “When we came to Babin’s Karate for Kids, we found that challenge.   We saw the instructors expecting personal accountability from each student.   They make sure the students are doing it right.  They even delayed Abhi’s rank advancement for six months.   That challenge helped Abhi focus and learn to persevere.”

I asked Viji and Sathish how they feel about teaching their children about struggle, about dealing with disappointment.     Dad had these comments: “Abhi would be frustrated and complain if he did not always win or if it was difficult.    But now, he controls his emotions and enjoys the moment.  He has fun just doing his best.  And his overall performance in tournaments is much better.  The same is true in piano which he started about the same time as karate.   The confidence he has learned in K4K has helped him lots.   At first he was tentative and frustrated and wanted to quit piano.  With the confidence he has learned here, he is playing wonderfully now and has a recital scheduled for March.   Now he is passionate about music.”

Mom adds, “Especially at home, when we give him something to do, he approaches it with the confidence and enthusiasm that he needs to complete it.”

When Abhi first came to our school, he rarely spoke.   I remember that he never spoke to any of the instructors.   “Now,” Viji says, “his new found confidence has enabled him to communicate better, here in karate, at home and at school.   He is very outspoken at school and loves to share his karate stories with his classmates and teachers.  He is in 2^nd grade now and is excelling the gifted reading and math program.”

Although our instructors have played a big role in Abhi’s transformation, we must emphasize how much Abhi’s parents, Viji and Sathish, have contributed.  Last summer, our newsletter featured the article, “SEVEN WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD AT KARATE FOR KIDS.” Viji and Sathish have been following those guidelines. Despite the fact that they live 13 miles away and Sathish works in North Scottsdale, they do watch as many classes as possible. Viji even got here work schedule changed to arrange more time to watch class.  They reinforce life skills at home, and spend time reading the newsletter as a family.  “We ourselves learn a lot from the newsletter.  It’s so inspiring.”

They encourage practice at home. Mom and dad quickly established a close relationship with the instructors, always wanting to know how they could best support Abhi at home.   And most importantly, they followed those instructions carefully and trusted that guidance.  They have erred on the side of commitment, obviously.  There is no doubt that Viji and Sathish used the challenges Abhi faced as a “learning opportunity.” To teach Abhi (as we said in the JULY 2009 newsletter) “that achieving anything truly great in life will have periods of routine and repetition.  Life is not a video game.” Viji and Sathis have lived the answer to the question, “How hard should you push your child?”    Here’s what we said in that newsletter:

Most parents fell they push ‘too hard’ when in reality, they really don’t.  I say, “Err on the side of discipline and commitment.  For example, a parent recently said, “I don’t push my kids.  If he doesn’t want to come to class I don’t take him.  This is not a good policy:  it goes too far in the other direction.  Why?  Because it allows a child’s emotional whims to determine their behavior and actions.  Imagine if those whims were applied in other areas of his life:  what if they didn’t feel like brushing their teeth every night?  Or didn’t feel like doing their homework or they didn’t feel like going to college or the didn’t feel like getting a job?  Help your child understand that the lessons they are learning now will carry over into their adult life and the sooner they start building their discipline muscles, the easier life will become.

(go to www.billbabin.com and read the entire article, MONTHLY MESSAGE, July 2009)

Viji and Sathish attend tournaments because they know these events help build confidence.   And while at tournaments, they have learned to “compete, not compare” Abhi’s performance to other children.  AND the result is what we heard earlier, “Abhi controls his emotions and enjoys the moment.  He has fun just doing his best.” And his tournament scores have improved too.    Isn’t that what you want for your child too?

Indeed, Viji and Sathish have now become black belt parents, and if you are wondering how to make something like this happen in your family, just ask them.

In fact, they are so excited that the entire family is now in class.  Shreya, Abhi’s little sister, has been in TINY TIGERS for about 6 months now and mom and dad started in January by using the “family special” we offered.  “We enjoy it!  it’s great!    And now that Abhi’s class is at 7:15 pm, we can easily take class right after him. All of our friends are always asking about it and we tell them, BABIN’S KARATE FOR KIDS is the best thing you can do to help boost confidence and discipline and self control.  The kids learn these lessons and then learn to use them everywhere, not just in karate.  They learn to deal with emotional struggles in a positive way, instead of whining or complaining.”

The average age of the 4 team coaches is 19.  The average age of the 14 team members is 12.  What can people so young accomplish as a group in a few short months?  Plenty!  And when you see their performance on Saturday February 6 at the Gathering of Eagles V regional tournament, you’ll see first- hand what can be done with the life skills of Goal Setting, Perseverance, Discipline, Respect, Courage, and Positive Attitude in action.

Back in August of 2009, auditions were held at the academy.  More than 45 students tried out—14 made the team.  It took courage to face a panel of judges and get put through the paces with technique combinations, weapons patterns, and board breaking.

Parents and students signed an agreement outlining the commitment that was going to be needed to make this a successful team.  Birthday parties, movies with friends, and free time would have to be sacrificed in order to grow personally and as a group.  They were going to have to persevere to learn new routines, not as individuals (as in their Karate for Kids training) but as a group.  It wasn’t going to be easy, they were going to do things that they never thought possible, stretch their physical and mental ability to the limit, and they were going to get tired, frustrated and sometimes overwhelmed.

As the weeks and months went on, something amazing developed.  They became more confident and they were reaching new levels of physical skills.  They faced many challenges and overcame them. They were getting stronger.  They became a TEAM.

Over 50 formal practice sessions (most 2 hours long) plus kids getting together at each others homes for more practice have produced the end product that you will enjoy on February 6.–more than 100 hours of training that will produce a fantastic demonstration and benefit them for a life time.

When you see these young people at the academy or the tournament be sure to congratulate them.  They deserve the recognition and the respect.

And let’s not forget about their parents!  None of these kids could drive themselves to and from practices.  After all, the students could only be committed to excellence because their parents supported and encouraged them.  Thanks to all moms and dads.

Another very special thanks go to Vince and Christine Birdwell.  They are responsible for the team uniforms fitting properly and everyone looking their best.  Sewing and ironing for 14 kids—you are the best!!

Ready to Act

Without a moment’s notice, the passenger climbed over other people and tackled a man who was igniting a bomb.  The hero, Dutch passenger Jasper Schuringa, saved 289 lives and averted disaster.  This was only made possible because he was alert, aware of his surroundings… and trusted his instincts.

In the next few pages, you’re going to discover how to increase your awareness, preempt danger before it strikes and develop your “sixth sense”.  The goal, of course, is to be safe in any situation.  And if trouble starts, you should be able to walk away safe and sound.

Our #1 Tool of Survival

Animals use claws, teeth, venom and overwhelming power to defend themselves.  We humans use our brains.  It’s our #1 tool of survival.  And by far, the most important way to use your brain for self-defense is by exercising awareness.  You must be aware of your surroundings at all times.  When you develop “situational awareness”, you’ll stay one step ahead of attackers and other threats.

The Four Color Codes of Awareness

Law enforcement and military experts break down states of awareness into four “color codes”:  White, Yellow, Orange and Red.   I like to think of these as “rungs of readiness” that reveal how you should respond to a potential threat.  Here’s what each one means:

Condition White

In Condition White, you are unaware of your surroundings and lack attention.  You may be day dreaming, talking on a cell phone or texting a friend.  Basically, you’re “in your own world”.  You may feel secure, but that may not be the case.  This is the condition the average person is in most of time.

Problem is, bad guys like to catch people by surprise.  The best way to do this is attack when a person is unaware – in other words, in Condition White.  When a victim is interviewed after an attack, he or she often says things like, “He came out of nowhere” or “I didn’t even see the person who attacked me”.  That’s a sure sign they were in the White state.

What to do in this state:  This one is the simplest.  Avoid being in this state – especially in public.  When a bad guy sees that you’re aware of your surroundings, in many cases he will move on and seek an easier target.  Instead of White, try to be in the…

Condition Yellow

Yellow means “caution”.  In this state you’re relaxed but alert.   Your “radar” is switched on and you’re scanning the environment.  Condition Yellow is the state Jasper Schuringa (the hero of flight 253) was in.  This is why he was ready to act when he sensed something wasn’t right.  In condition Yellow, you will NOT be taken by surprise.

What to do in this state:  Scan your environment and look for things out of the ordinary: suspicious people, vehicles out of place and especially what’s behind you (to avoid being surprised).  When walking down the street, take mental notes.  Ask yourself: “What is that guy doing wearing sunglasses at night?”  or “Why is that person wearing a trenchcoat when it’s 90 degrees outside?”

When walking to your car, have your keys ready so you don’t have to fumble around.  Check your back seat before getting in your car.

When you arrive home and unlock your front door, make sure it was not tampered with or ajar.  If you hear a strange sound in the middle of the night, don’t assume it was “just the cat”.  Carefully check it out.  Better safe than sorry.

Finally, use your “Sixth Sense”.  You already possess one, whether you realize it or not.  Unfortunately, many people ignore their Sixth Sense.  They think to themselves, “Why would anybody want to hurt me?” or “This could never happen to me”.  As a police detective recently said, “Trust your gut and if something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t.”

Strive to be in Condition Yellow at any given time.  Keep in mind, however, that you do NOT have to go through life afraid or suspicious of everybody.  That’s not the point.  There is a balance to be struck.  Strike the right balance and you can stay clear of most trouble.  If you DO, however, detect something’s amiss, you can move into…

Condition Orange

This means you are in danger.  A threat exists.  For example:  It’s late at night and you’re walking back to your car in a distant corner of a parking garage.  You have the feeling you’re being watched.  Then you notice four young men watching you and whispering to each other.

Or you’re walking home from school and a car slowly pulls over.

In other cases, it may be more general.  You may simply be driving through a bad part of town.  Orange occurs when there is the possibility of danger – whether or not you have identified it yet.

In this state your awareness kicks up and you notice more detail: “Why is this person approaching me?” or “Why is he reaching in his pocket?”.

Your body also becomes more sensitive.  You feel people get closer to you without seeing it.  The hair on the back of your neck might start to stand up.  Your hearing gets better.  All your senses heighten.  (By the way, a very dangerous tip-off is when somebody looks you up and down and “sizes you up”.)

What to Do in Condition Orange:      You do your thinking in this stage so when you’re ready to act, you don’t have to think.  While you don’t need to act immediately, be ready and prepared.  Focus on the threat then devise a plan.  Ask yourself, “Can I escape?  Are there any clear exits?  Are there other people around I can alert if trouble breaks out?  Or is my only choice to defend myself?”

Once you’ve made your decision, you then create a mental “line in the sand”.  When this line is crossed you snap your plan into action.  You know exactly what you’re going to do without hesitation or indecision.

Condition Red

Condition Red means you are IN conflict.  Your “line in the sand” has been crossed and you are ready to defend yourself OR you’re now taking action against a specific threat.  You may only have seconds to act.  That’s why it’s so critical to have your plan in place.

As your instructor, I hope you never find yourself in this state.  If you follow my tips on managing your lower states of awareness, you may never end up in Red.  Even so, here are some general tips on how to manage this state:

Fight, Flight or Freeze

People have three responses to big-time stress: freeze, flight or fight.  Most people panic and freeze because they were caught by surprise.  If this happens, mentally snap yourself out of this reaction.  Focus on the now – not what just happened.  Stay relaxed and BREATHE.  In Condition Red, tunnel vision can set in.  If that happens, force yourself to look around and use your peripheral vision.

Then use your adrenaline to act on your plan.  Your best option is always to escape the danger if  possible.  Run if you have to.   Many people think “I’m too tough to move”.  Don’t be afraid to give ground and don’t ever push a bad position.  There’s no reason to stand and defend yourself if you can get away.  On the other hand, if your only option is to defend yourself, do so quickly and decisively.  And never, ever lose your temper.  Anger makes you blind.

Next, work your way from the most immediate threat to the lesser threats.  In other words, take out the big guy first.  This may be enough to convince the others you mean business.

In class we go over specific self-defense techniques for a variety of situations.  Practice them.  And always use a level of force that’s necessary.  For example, there’s no reason to throw a side kick to the head if someone merely pushed you.

Finally, remember this:  You can panic on the inside but remain still and calm on the outside.  This is one of the big benefits of martial arts training – remaining calm in the face of conflict.

Summary:

Those are the four stages or “conditions” of awareness.  During your daily activities, you’ll probably never move past Yellow.  But if you do see something that isn’t right, now you know what to do:  Start in yellow and if you see a threat, move into Orange.  Then back down to Yellow after the threat subsides.  If you stay alert, you may never have to move into Red – ever.  That’s the goal!  Don’t be afraid of the world.  Just stay safe, stay alert and trust your instincts!  And most of all, keep on training.  There is no replacement for the knowledge you receive here!    – Senior Master Babin

Welcome to 2010!  Are you ready to hit your goals this year?  Good.  This issue will help you do that.  Let’s start with a true story that reveals the power of goal-setting and the secret of intention:

The Magical Check

One lonely night in the Hollywood Hills, a struggling stand-up comedian sat in his Toyota thinking about his future.  As he gazed down from Mulholland Drive onto the glittering lights below, he felt a burst of inspiration sweep over him.  He pulled out his checkbook and grabbed a pen.  He then wrote himself a $10,000,000 check, dated it eight years in the future (“Thanksgiving 1995”) and wrote “for acting services rendered” on the front.

It was a giant leap of faith.  Why?  Because this actor was no different than the millions of others who leave their homes to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood, only to end up rejected, broke and penniless.  You see, he had no job.  He had no connections.  And after seven fruitless years of beating the pavement in Hollywood, no big breaks.  In spite of that, he persevered and carried the “magical check” in his wallet everywhere he went the next few years.  When things got tough, he’d pull out the tattered check and look at it to lift his spirits.

Then things began to change.  His stand-up gigs started to take off.  Agents started to call.  He landed a small part in a TV show.  And the floodgates opened.  By 1995, that same actor was making a staggering $20,000,000 per film.  The actor’s name?  Jim Carrey.  You may have heard of him.

The Day of Decision

That one day changed everything.  It was a day of decision.  Jim Carrey put the world on notice that he was going to be a success…one way or another!  Without realizing it, he had tapped into the power of intention.

What is intention?  Intention means a burning determination to reach your goals.  It means you have great resolve and will accomplish your goals, no matter what obstacles block your path.  When you possess intention, your actions are deliberate and purposeful.  With that in mind, here are my five secrets for harnessing the power of intention – just like Jim Carrey did – and put it to work for you this year:

Step #1.)  Decide What You Want

All achievement starts with a definite purpose.  So start this year by mapping out a crystal clear goal.  To help choose your goal, ask yourself questions such as:  “What type of person do I want to be at the end of 2010?  What do I want to have?  What types of people do I want to be surrounded with?  What type of grades will I have?  What types of contributions will I have made to my community and others?  What rank do I want to be?”

An effective goal is specific, realistic and time-sensitive.  It’s not enough to say, “I want to be a black belt someday” because “some day” is not specific.  Instead, say “I want to be a black belt by January 2011.”   Jim Carrey wrote “Thanksgiving 1995” on his check.  That’s specific.  A goal is a dream with a deadline.

I urge you to write your goal on paper.  Some people write their goals on a 3” x 5” card, laminate it and carry it with them.  Others post it on their bedroom mirror or somewhere else they can see it every day.  It’s up to you.  Just make sure you commit it to paper.  Once you do, move on to…

Step #2.)  Create a Plan to Hit Your Goal

Without a plan, your goal is simply a daydream.  Anybody can do that.  But the secret behind winners and high achievers is their ability to plan and take action to achieve their goals.  So sit down and create an “action plan” as soon as possible to help achieve your goal.  You do this by writing down all the steps needed to reach your final goal.

Think of a goal as a long-term aim.  But along the way, you also have many short-term milestones (I talked about these last month).  The word “milestone” comes from stone markers placed next to roads in times past.  These milestones reassured travelers that they were on the right track, showed the distance traveled, as well as how many miles were left until the final destination.  Your milestones serve the same purpose.  By writing down your milestones, you can check to make sure you’re on the right track.

For example, your plan might be to: “Upgrade to Leadership, add a day to my training schedule, start teaching lower ranks and attend more tournaments”.  Once you set those major milestones, you can break them down further.  What day will you upgrade to Leadership?  When will you start teaching lower ranks?  Which tournament are you going to attend first?  Make it real.  Think in terms of physical actions.

Finally, write down what you intend to trade in return for your goal.  This is the price you’re willing to pay in effort, money, time and sweat!  Remember that there is no such thing as something for nothing.

#3.)  Stoke Your Desire

Many of us are good starters but poor finishers.  Once you start working your plan, you’ll find the day-to-day grind is always the hard part.  This is when it’s most important to keep the flame burning and your goal clearly in mind.

Best-selling author Napoleon Hill said, “If you find yourself lacking persistence, this weakness may be remedied by building a stronger fire under your desires.”

Jim Carrey built a strong fire under his desires by taking his check out of his pocket and looking at it when things got tough.  He constantly reminded himself why he was pushing so hard, overcoming so many setbacks and confronting so many challenges in his quest.

If you have your goal on an index card, you can do the same thing.  You can even do a “self-affirmation” and read your written plan at the start of each day to stay focused.

#4.)  Surround Yourself With Support

When you involve others, something magical happens: synergy.  This is the concept that the “total is worth more than the sum of its parts”.  In other words,

1 + 1 = 3.   The Beatles were a great example of synergy.  Individually, they were all brilliant musicians.  But on their own they could never come close to the pure magic they created together.  John Lennon said, “A dream you dream alone is only a dream.  A dream you dream together is reality”.

When you make your goal public and enlist others in its attainment, doors will open for you.  Things will fall into place easier.  People will appear in your path to help you.  Also, having role models to emulate builds your resolve because you’re surrounded by people who have achieved that goal.  You can also reach out for help or ask for advice.

#5.)  Stick With It

Finally, there is no substitute for perseverance and discipline.  Always remember: “What one person can do, so can another”.  This year, while others give up, YOU persevere.  Commit to doing just that little bit extra, going the extra mile, sticking with it just that little bit longer and I promise you’ll experience a true breakthrough this year.  Let’s train hard, have fun and hit our goals together in 2010!  — Senior Master Babin

As this year comes to a close (can you believe we’re almost in 2010?), I feel it’s important to look back and reflect on what we all accomplished this year.  You see, part of growing as a martial artist is patting yourself on the back for the things you achieved, the goals you hit and all the milestones you crossed…but not just the big ones!

Celebrate Your Small Victories

I know much of the time we focus on lofty goals here: making black belt, becoming a certified instructor, learning all nine forms of the Songahm star…and so on.  And that’s good.  But did you know it’s equally important to focus on the small things you’ve achieved?  It’s true because to sustain yourself over the long haul, you need to motivate yourself along the way.  So celebrate all your milestones.  Also, small goals add up to big goals.  To use a football metaphor, “when you focus on first downs, the touchdowns take care of themselves”.   Make sense?  This all means you don’t have to focus only on the earth-shattering goals and targets.  Look back at all the little accomplishments you achieved this year, too.  They may not seem like much to other people – but they’re huge to YOU.   Let me tell you a quick (and true) story to illustrate what I’m talking about:

John’s Story and His Personal Triumph

About two years ago, John enrolled at Karate for Kids academy in another state.  When he started classes, he was like most students:  excited, ready to get going and pumped to achieve some big things.   And John had most of the attributes other students have when they begin martial arts: ambition, desire to learn, willingness to work hard and he was in decent (but not great) shape.  But John also lacked something others didn’t:  sight.  You see, John is blind.  While that would stop most other people – it didn’t stop John.  Of course, he had doubts: “How do I target effectively?” and “How can I avoid bumping into others on the floor” and “Won’t it be hard to keep my balance when I’m doing a kicks?”  But while John had those thoughts – he plowed ahead anyway.  He embraced his “limitation”.  He chose to look at martial arts as a mountain to be climbed, a test of his character, a personal journey and a way to break through to become a better person.  And most important of all, he never made excuses.

No Excuses

To make a long story short, John is now a brown belt and loving every minute of Taekwondo.  No, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for him (it’s not for anybody – we all have to confront our own personal demons when we move up through the ranks.).  But every day John is getting closer to his goal of black belt and has learned some valuable self-defense techniques along the way.  Given his situation, I’m sure you’d agree: they’re critical.

What is the secret of John’s success?  How does he accomplish so much when so many other people with fewer challenges give up and quit?  The answer is simple: he focuses on the NOW.  He focuses on the day-to-day actions and celebrates his small victories.  Sometimes we’re so eager to achieve the big goals that we forget to focus on the here and now.  With the world swirling around us, sometimes it’s hard to focus on the present moment.  But John does this every day.  He trains his attention on the side kick he’s doing.  The high block he’s raising.   The form he’s learning.   The small stuff.  And every time he gets something right, he pats himself on the back.  It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you celebrate the small victories along the path to greatness.  And by the way, you did know anybody – regardless of physical ability – can do Karate for Kids, didn’t you?

Achieving a Personal Victory

John’s inspiring story is an excellent example of a personal victory.  Again, a personal victory doesn’t have to be an all-encompassing life-changing event.  Instead, it’s often a very private moment that nobody else notices – or cares about – but YOU.

Here’s another example.  A boy named Connor started Karate for Kids a few months ago at age six.  He had a very tough time in the beginning: He broke down when taking direction; he was extremely sensitive to feedback and criticism; and he routinely cried in class.  But fast-forward six months and he’s a different kid.  His new-found confidence is on display in every class.  When he finds himself getting exasperated, he takes a deep breath and his instructors help him composes himself.  You can see the pride on his face when he walks off the floor and isn’t choking back tears.  While other kids might not think it’s a big deal to make it through a class without crying, to Connor, it’s everything.  It’s HIS personal victory.

Stories like this abound.  Here are some other examples of personal victories:

• Kicking a bad habit (like quitting smoking or putting down the XBOX controller)
• Overcoming a fear (like the fear of sparring or tournaments)
• Pushing yourself past your limits
• Doing something uncomfortable  that you know is good for you (like public speaking)
• Hitting a goal (like completing a big assignment on time)
• Creating a business turnaround (such as getting a business out of the red)
• Creating a life turnaround (like losing weight and increasing your fitness level)
• Getting out of debt and taking control of your financial life
• Raising a grade and doing better in school (for example that grade in math you boosted from a “C” to a “B”).

So as you reflect on what you’ve accomplished this year, make sure you celebrate the small victories and what’s important to YOU.

And let me tell you: I’m proud of each and every one of you.  You’re hitting goals most people never even attempt and you’re molding yourselves into true leaders.

Keep striving to achieve your own personal victory every day!

– Senior Master Babin

Sean Longley

Consistent Attitude Pays Off!!

Looking for an interesting activity for their 5 year old son, Kyle and Maria Longley came to Karate for Kids four years ago and enrolled Sean.  “We didn’t want to put him in team sports at that age and felt that the individual nature of the Karate for Kids Program in Mesa would suit him well and help develop listening skills.”

And from his very first class, Sean has shown a totally consistent attitude.  “He never complains about coming.  In fact, even though he has friends playing football, Sean has consistently insisted on doing Karate for Kids.  It has become a real point of pride for him.” In fact, Sean recently did a demonstration all by himself in front of 800 children at his school.  Now that’s Black Belt Attitude!!!

I asked Mr. & Mrs. Longley about the overall impact of Karate for Kids on Sean:  “He’s really learned a broader concept of RESPECT.  He carries this idea to school.  His teachers love him.  But he also now understands that he can apply respect everywhere, to all people and also to all things.  We’re really pleased with that.”

And every instructor over the past four years has consistently enforced that discipline and respect.  “We’ve found that parents can say only just so much when it comes to reinforcing respect and self-control, especially at home.  Sean respects his Karate for Kids instructors so much that the weekly  progress report was a very useful tool in shaping behavior, like learning to THINK before you SPEAK.”

When Sean began sparring in K4K, mom had some reservations, but she was really impressed how he focused quickly.  Now sparring is one of Sean’s favorite things to do.

As with so many families, the Longley’s place high value on persistence and teaching their children to face adversity and struggle through it.

“Sean has always done well at school.  But here at karate he faced challenges, like not being ready for every rank promotion.  In Karate for Kids, he has learned not to run away from struggle.  For example, it was tough enough becoming a black belt, but after earning it, he did not qualify for his first black belt mid term; then he missed another for vacation; and then missed another.  But he has totally refocused himself now, passed his first midterm, and is on his way to his 2^nd degree black belt.  He’s learned that not everything in life will be easy and that he can use his attitude to persist and win. He used this skill recently when he entered the 4^th grade ‘advanced learning program’ at Mesquite Elementary.  Wow, has it been tough.  He actually got failing marks on some papers in the beginning, but again, he has been able to refocus, get back on track, and is doing great now in this challenging program.”

You might wonder what the Longleys would say to others about getting started in Karate for Kids: “We drive a good distance to get here.  On that drive we pass 2-3 other karate schools.  We’ve been impressed with the quality of instruction here at Babin’s Karate for Kids.  The program is challenging and fun, and it reinforces family values. This is the place to go and the activity to do.  And with schools cutting back on PE, we know that Sean can make Taekwondo a lifetime activity.”

Here’s what Sean has to say, “I think it’s really fun!  I like to tell my friends about it.  I like sparring and weapons the best, but really I like everything about it!!”

Zac Birdwell

FOUR BLACK BELTS IN ONE FAMILY!!  Mom (Christine) 2^nd degree, Dad (Vince) 2^nd degree, daughter (Amanda) 4^th degree and son (Zac) 3^rd degree.  Young Winston (age 7) is now a purple belt on his way to Black Belt

For a student of any age, Zac’s accomplishments are impressive.  For a 15 year old, they are extraordinary:

• 11 yrs of training at Karate for Kids
• 11 years of classical ballet, tap & dance
• 3^rd degree black belt
• 2^nd level instructor collar
• 9 state championships
• qualified for WORLD TOP TEN in 4 divisions in the last 2 years
• earned a LEAD ROLE  in the NUTCRACKER this season

Zac was 4 when he started at Karate for Kids, and Christine remembers he was a “shy, very emotional child.  I knew Zac needed the structure found in Karate for Kids classes.” Zac also remembers that “I was quick to breakdown and cry if the instructor asked me to do something I hadn’t done before.” In other words, he cried a lot.

Sparring was tough, too.  “I never liked sparring when I was little.  When I moved from Tiny Tigers to K4K I always had to face a big 1^st recommended Black Belt kid.  He always knocked me down.  I got kicked around a lot in class and even in tournaments.  I often told my parents I didn’t want to go.  Well, all I can say is the guy who knocked me around quit a long time ago, and I’m still here!”

Zac’s comments about how his parents handled the situation are very interesting:  “I may have said that I didn’t want to go, but my parents decided I WAS GOING, and I went.  It was always their decision to make, not mine.  And I probably would still be afraid of free sparring and would have quit if they had let me have my way.”

Zac’s accomplishments and successes are directly related to the fact that his parents supported him and made him follow through and face his challenges instead of running away from them.

Christine’s thoughts on Zac’s accomplishments are: “Because he experienced emotional difficulty when he was young and in Tiny Tigers, he is now sensitive to children like himself.  He is sensitive to shy or emotional kids and almost always knows when they are about to cry.  Parents have often told me that Zac can read their kids.  He sees the emotional breakdown coming and he’s able to head it off.”

“I really think Zac’s greatest accomplishment has been developing a thicker skin, learning to control his emotions, which has lead to success in other things.  As a teenager, I think he is more emotionally stable: he can take NO and uses it to make his performance better next time.  Competing on a national level in the ATA would have been way out of his comfort zone in the past, but he really does well with it now.”

Zac was a member of the “Demolition Demo Team” that won 2^nd place in the world this past June.  He performed on stage in an arena with over 15,000 spectators.  I would say he is in control of his emotions!

Zac’s view of his own accomplishments is equally interesting:  “I think my greatest accomplishment in Taekwondo has been teaching a class by myself.  At first in Junior Leadership, I was terrified to get up in front of the class.  Over time I got enough confidence to lead a part of the class, but now, I actually lead the entire class.  That’s my greatest accomplishment for sure.”

According to Zac, “Leadership is a big- time confidence booster.  It gets you prepared to get up in front of an audience.  You can’t get that anywhere else.  Even my dance / ballet training is not the same.  When I’m on stage dancing, I’m not actually speaking to anyone, I’m performing.  Usually I can’t even see the audience.  And there are other people on stage with me.  But in Junior Leadership,

you’re taught to communicate. I can see my audience; I’m physically close to the students.  And that’s really different.  It’s very difficult.  In school, I know that kids who do well making oral presentations get better grades than those who hide behind their papers and mumble.  It’s obvious those kids were never taught to speak in public.  And that’s the kind of training I got in Junior Leadership.  You can’t get that anywhere else.”

All of the Birdwell children compete in lots of tournaments.  Here’s what Christine had to say about Zac’s competition career: “He’s the kid that shakes hands with everyone in the ring.  He’s there for the camaraderie; he takes it past the competition.  I’m thrilled when he wins, but he is the kid with humility and self-control. Other kids jump around and complain about their scores and about how unfair it was that they lost.  I’m proud of how Zac competes.”

Zac goes on to say; “I like competition because it helps me get better.  I always want to improve myself.  Competition is a way to gauge my performance.  I like Xtreme competition because it is a way to be creative, to get out there and do something different and unique; not just doing the same form over and over and dance has taught me about understanding rhythm.”

Wow, that’s a way different attitude than when I started out, isn’t it?”

Over the last 11 years while pursuing Taekwondo, Zac has also trained at CAMPBELLS DANCE in Mesa.  Over the years, in the annual NUTCRACKER production, he has performed FRITZ, a soldier, a Russian, Faun, Reed Flute, one of the nephews, and this year he will play the lead role.  The ballet directors have asked him to include some of his martial arts techniques in this portrayal of the nutcracker!

Christine sums thing up with these comments:  “Karate for Kids has made Zac a well-rounded kid.  He makes friends easily and he has emotional self-control.  Parents of white-orange and yellow belts should be patient.  You need to let the instructors teach.  Give them the opportunity to find what will work for your child.  Even when all a student does is sit in the back of the classroom, progress is being made. Eventually, children go to kindergarten.  They might as well learn these lessons of self control at age 3, 4.  I often reassure parents that they are not hurting their children by forcing them to get into class.  Some kids are not always receptive and need a lot of encouragement, but Karate for Kids is safe and a good thing for them to do.  It’s a great opportunity for any child.  Instructors constantly encourage them. Karate for Kids prepares kids to face life’s challenges.”