10 winning habits of a martial artist

Here’s a list of 10 important habits we teach the kids (and adults) to adopt on their path to Black Belt excellence and beyond.

1. Endurance

“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” – Buddha

To dig deeper, to go further, to follow through on what you truly believe isright even when everyone else has dropped away.

2. Success

“If you can dream it YOU can do it.” – Walt Disney

3. Resilience

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

Resilience does not eliminate stress or erase life’s difficulties. Instead, it gives people the strength to tackle problems head on, overcome adversity and move on with their lives.

4. Courtesy

To consciously respect and acknowledge other people’s space and to be mindful when we enter it.

5. Stranger danger

Yell and yell loudly, “stranger, stranger I don’t know you”. And run away if approached by someone they do not know. Always tell parents or teachers if someone has approached them (sometimes children believe they will get in trouble – assure them that this will not happen).

6. Stillness

Being “still and neutral, ready to respond” is the calling of the spiritual warrior. This is far more evolved than being aggressive and angry, ready to react.

7. Winning

Winning is not always about passing the finish line first, having the most money, the biggest house or having the last word. Winning is about how much of a difference we’ve made around us. If we’ve done our very best, then we’ve won, regardless of what anyone else may say…

8. Service

Smile unconditionally. Never act with anger. If anger is the correct action then respond after thinking about it first. Forgive, forgive and forgive – just makes your own life easier. Practise unconditional acts of kindness.

9. Discipline

Learn good habits to help you achieve your goals. Set out a clear path to achieving that goal. Commit to self-discipline by regularly attending class and training hard.

10. Loyalty

Devotion or faithfulness to what you believe in, whether it be a person, cause or belief.

Staying true to yourself, staying true to your family and friends, and sticking up for a friend in tough times.