My lesson from a 3-year old
I started taking Tang Soo Do (a form of karate from Korea) lessons back in July, along with my son, daughter-in-law, and 3 grandsons. We passed our first “belt test” a week ago, so today I received my new belt.
It is customary that when one advances to the next belt level, they break a board with either using their hand or with a kick. This time, we were asked to do it using a side kick. None of us had ever done that before.
Perceiving life as a 3-year old
My 3-year old grandson Markus had his belt ceremony on Wednesday of this week, a few days earlier than the rest of us. When he was called to the front to break his board, he didn’t know quite what to do, of course. Aware of this, the instructor gently picked up Markus’ leg and showed him how to hit the board with his heel when he kicked. Markus had practiced that kick in the air previously but had never tried to hit and break something when doing it.
He didn’t break the board on his first try because he missed the center of the board. But, he wasn’t embarrassed and he didn’t give up. With a little more encouragement and instruction from the teacher, he kicked at it a second time and successfully broke it.
My observations
There were a couple things that struck me as I watched him attempt to break his board.
First, Markus just assumed he could do this because he had a teacher who said he could. He didn’t doubt someone who knew what they were talking about, someone he trusted to be honest.
Secondly, he had seen others do it, too. With that in mind, he tried again and was successful.
Lessons learned
We have the same opportunity here, don’t we?
We have a teacher who has successfully built his business, years before us. Our teacher has also laid out excellent training material to teach us to do what he did. Why can’t we trust a little more like a 3-year old?
Then there is the embarrassment factor. At one point, about a month into my time with WA, I hesitated for days to ask a question because I didn’t want to “look stupid.” After all, I was a college graduate with a Master’s degree! I look back at that and realize how silly it was. I lost time because I was worried about what others might think of my question.
And finally, we have people all around us at various stages of development, some of whom have been doing this for years. We are seeing others doing what we want to do. So, we just need to keep trying, keep working at it, until we succeed.
“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Recent Comments
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Cool story indeed. It's interesting also that children don't discriminate and they have people in their lives that encourage them to go ahead. When they grow into adults all of a sudden the same people that used to encourage them start second guessing them. Interesting how all of that changes when one becomes an adult.
Even more sad that people don't notice this about themselves most of the time. They take things for granted and forget about the small accomplishments in life. I guess in today's society, people don't have the time to do a lot of self reflection.
What a lovely story and demonstrates how we acquire limiting self beliefs as we grow older.
It's another of the things I love about WA, I never feel stupid when asking a question. :)
This is wonderful story and example of how to generate the belief of a child... they do it with such ease; as we grow older we over-complicate! Thanks Allyn!
I agree with Doug and Debbie, there is nothing quite like the faith of a child, but then isn't that why we are told to come as children to our Lord? :) Blessings, Christa :)
Lucky for me, I am not embarrassed by my not knowing this stuff. Even when it's information I have read before, until it's time for me to implement certain changes or techniques, my brain goes blank. I am so busy trying to learn and create that I don't have time to worry about people's judgement of my intellect.
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Excellent post.