The technical art that I teach i.e. Kyokushin karate, is the art that take many years to master. In fact, it takes the average practitioner approximately 7 years to achieve the highly regarded rank of Black Belt (or the equivalent). While it is true that if you train this art you will be a high level practitioner and be able to defend yourself after just a year or so, the deep study, practice, understanding and perfection of this art does take longer.
While some people give up before their ultimate goal, I do want to say that A Black-belt is simply a White-belt that never gave up!
But, there are some undeniable character traits of all great martial artists. We found that the highest level masters and teachers have a few character traits in common.
So, here are 9 Best Kept Secrets Of All Successful Black Belts:
1. They never give up
Simply put, but on many levels this is harder then it sounds. They key to never giving up is to find something you love in the arts, even at the toughest point. Make sure to always see the greater picture, and teach yourself to enjoy the journey. You need to condition yourself, just like every great martial artists has, to truly take things lighter, and find pleasure in both victory and defeat. You can train to be the best, but on off days you have to reach deep and look for something even greater in your journey.
never giving up simply comes down to: 1. seeing the bigger picture 2. having fun along the learning process
2. They see the long term goals.
The most successful martial artists see things in the long term. They know that there is always room for improvement, and they understand that they’ll always have an opportunity to get better. They understand that there is no time limit on their progress.
3. They are consistent
Whether you’re a competitor or not, being consistent in all aspects of martial arts will undoubtedly make you a better student, a better teacher one day and a far better fighter and practitioner. Regular attendance, drilling, sparring with multiple partners – these all play a huge part in making you the best martial artist you could be, and getting to that next level.
4. They are 100% for their team
Every great and successful fight is 100% for their team. They don’t go around and keep changing teams or schools or instructors. Look at the very best people in the world, they always talk about the support of their team – that is the key. Believe in the people around you, and they’ll believe in you and together you will grow and achieve. Stay loyal. Stay confident. #OneFamilyOneMission
5. They know when to rest and recover and when to train the mind
Not only does correct amount of rest and recovery time amplify your performance, it also makes you healthier overall, and helps with martial arts longevity. While you don’t want to take weeks off, first develop a consistent training routine and then make sure you have one to three days (two is great) to rest and recover. You can come into the Academy and hang on the training floor, listen, watch, absorb. You can also read martial arts or mentally focus, but giving the body a rest is huge. Sometimes you need to give the mind a rest and re-set too.
Remember you don’t want to burn out half way to your goals. Determine your rest and be consistent with training and rest days.
6. They respect and TRUST their instructors
Loyalty and respect reflects the kind of martial artists you are, and where you are headed. It shows that you acknowledge the time and effort your instructor has devoted to you, and to perpetuate your arts. Embracing these traits also helps you develop a deeper love for the art, and for the family that introduced them to you. In turn, this dedication will reflect in everything that you do.
Also, without trust you will never be able to learn and internalize the arts correctly.
7. They recognize what motivates them and they use it
The more passionate you feel about something, the more devoted you’ll be to accomplishing your goal. Passion dictates how far you’ll take your love for martial arts, your job, or anything for that matter — and what you’ll do to get better at it.
8. They understand the importance of focus
When you are training you should be able to focus solely on training, channeling your thoughts towards winning. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned martial artist, you should always maintain focus whenever you’re training. Doing so will help you reach your goal faster and eventually rid you of bad habits.
Osu. Great article Sensei