Black Belt Success Habits

For over three decades, Azad’s Black Belt Program and our team of leaders have been developing Champions in the dojang, and in life.
Our belief is that Martial Arts helps people develop better habits for life. The positive habits students develop in the dojang, always has a direct influence on life outside the dojang. This week’s message focuses on five simple habits that can help any student achieve greatness in their Martial Arts training…

Attendance/Commitment

Consistent class attendance and the commitment to practice and improve your skills and abilities. When a student gets in the habit of 2-3 classes per week, you’ll soon begin to see steady progress and growth in your journey to Black Belt Excellence.

In life, you don't get very far with a half-hearted effort. Big goals are achieved through committed effort and a persistence to achieve greatness.

Spirit & Energy

When you develop the habit of expressing your eagerness and giving your best energy and effort, you’ll soon develop a powerful Black Belt Spirit. Soon you will learn that the more energy you give, the more energy you have to give.

The non-quitting spirit you develop will carry over to all other areas of your life.

Basics & Knowledge

Strong basics and fundamental skills are vital to developing confidence in your skills and abilities as a Black Belt Champion. No matter what style of Martial Arts I have studied and learned, it’s always about starting with a strong foundation.

The habit of paying attention to detail can have a powerful impact everywhere.

Fitness – Fitness – Fitness

Healthy and fit people have healthy and fit habits. A balanced fitness program should encompass three keys. Flexibility, strength and endurance. Martial Arts training is a very well-rounded form of fitness and it has so many examples of living, breathing Models of Excellence to follow.

A high level of health and fitness, gives you more energy for everything you do.

Martial Arts Manners/Dojang Protocol

Polite greetings, positive responses, and courteous behavior, are habits everyone enjoys and benefits. No matter where I go or how many people I meet, the nicest and most respectful are always Martial Arts trained. The world would be a much better place if everyone practiced and expressed respect for each other, the way we do in the dojo.

The best way to influence, is by your example, be a Model of Excellence in respect.

Many years ago, a friend of mine was a bouncer at a few night clubs in Syracuse. Hanging around the night club scene, his fellow bouncers and the people that hang out at night clubs, he soon noticed his own language and his own attitude was beginning to match that scene. And he didn’t like it!

He found that the more time he spent at the night club, the more it influenced his attitude and behaviors. One day, after being involved in a violent and senseless altercation, he decided to end his bouncing days and made 100% commitment to the Martial Arts lifestyle. It was one of the best decisions he says he has ever made for himself.

That's when he began to really work on his own habits of excellence.

I share this as an example, because everyone can benefit from taking a close look at their current habits, actions, and behaviors. This, is a good habit, always looking for ways to improve and develop better habits.