Don't Be A Professional White Belt

bytonysmith123

68 followers

9 years ago

During my 20+ years teaching martial arts, I have found that there is a pretty common type of new student, the professional white belt. They want to learn a martial art so they join the local Karate class. They get their free uniform, bow to the workout area and to the master and begin their first workout. They begin to stretch, punch, kick and sweat. After a few minutes their eyes begin to wander to the other side of the classroom to the more advanced students practicing the forms, weapons and sparring. They start to daydream of being over there fighting with nunchaku and swords. Class after class they become almost desperate to advance more quickly. After one class they are talking to a friend about their Karate class and the friend says something about a new Tae Kwon Do school that promises a Black Belt in only two years. They quit their Karate class and join the new Tae Kwon Do school. After a month the shiny new Kung Fu school opens down the street with the master who can defeat opponents with just one finger! Well, of course, the star of our story needs to join that school immediately. When our friend finally found my school, I would tell them their first task was to buy a small tree no more than 5" tall from the local nursery and bring it to class. The next day they would show up with the tree ready for some secret instruction and I would let them know they would advance at the same rate as their tree grows. So, when they want to measure their progress, look at the tree. I would explain that to be an expert in martial arts or anything they would need a strong root and that took lots of time, patience and work. In fact, Kung Fu means roughly "earned skill and time". You can be a really good tailor and have good Kung Fu.

I practice the same way with my internet marketing. Instead of switching from each new marketing company that promises overnight riches I am staying with WA and growing a deep root with all of the education materials and working hard to develop a sound core for my business routine that will yield a fruitful harvest. To master one movement, some teachers say, it takes ten thousand repetitions. Don't be in a hurry, you can't force nature. I hope you all develop good Kung Fu.