Posted: May 25, 2019
Where are you now? Understanding where you are now is important in measuring forward progress. Some common measurements are waist size, weight, body composition cardio or strength maximums. Pick a couple of the measurements that make the most sense to you and check in with yourself every week. By simply keeping your eye on those numbers that matter to you, you are more likely to make positive progress.
Posted: May 22, 2019
Life is about balance. To appreciate hard we need soft, to know lightness we need darkness. The ebb and flow of opposites is part of what creates the reality we appreciate. Children need someone to encourage greatness, especially the greatness of habits that will make them stronger in the future. Every time you ask your child to do something they would not willingly do on their own like eating vegetables, doing homework, taking out the trash or reminding them about using manners you are fulfilling the role of parent. Well done… pat yourself on the back, without YOU how would they know and grow in a way to maximize their potential
When you take the time to do all the above and other activities and wrap it in language and with tone you would extend to a peer you are being their friend. The great thing is by choosing this approach instead of doing the quick fix of being demanding you are growing their self esteem and self worth which will ultimately reinforce excellence for a lifetime.
Though some see Parent OR Friend, I see parent and friend as two opposite concepts that need each other to be totally effective. Instead of feeling like you have to make a choice just use both. High standards of excellence in line with their skills and abilities wrapped in thoughtful word choice and responses instead of urgent reactions will win the day every time. Pride yourself on being both a parent and friend!
Posted: May 17, 2019
Talk to Instructors, are they qualified?
It's important to know the qualifications of the instructors at a martial arts school. Ask about their training and find out if they are certified. People who want to teach martial arts may be personal trainers who are certified as martial arts instructors, or they may have certification from associations within their sport. For instance, a good martial arts instructor may have a certification from an organization like the American Taekwondo Association. Instructors teaching karate for kids should also be certified in first-aid and CPR in case a child is injured during class.
If you’re interested in having your child participate in competitions, you need to verify any certifications or licenses required by state law. In Massachusetts, amateur competitive matches must be sanctioned and supervised by an amateur sanctioning organization for matches involving martial arts forms that include blows or strikes to the head. At Personal Best Karate, our students compete in the Tournaments, that begin with district / regional tournaments and continue on until World Championships where finalists from all over the world compete in one of the largest Martial Arts tournaments in the world.
Posted: May 17, 2019
A center piece of the Personal Best philosophy has always been our Student Creed. As the New Year begins and you have had a chance to rethink and refocus, here are a few commitments that may help. They are ACTIONS STEPS, inspired by the four sentences that start every class. In fact, they are taken literally off the walls of Personal Best. Sometimes the answers we are looking for are right in front of us.
Student Creed #1Posted: May 17, 2019
10 Days Can Change Your Life…. Will You Take the Challenge?
One of the things that I miss about college is the feeling of accomplishment and sense of completion you got from finishing a semester. After finals, the classes I was taking were over, never to be revisited again. The next semester would start fresh with new classes, new schedules, a fresh outlook and a renewed commitment to do my best. As the calendar turned to the new year, I got the same feeling of completion, renewal and commitment to be the best possible version of myself.
To make any meaningful and last differences requires the commitment to a refined way of thinking. One of the modern day masters of influence and human behavior is Tony Robbins. Tony has always shared an empowering message of being personally accountable for your actions and outcomes. I graduated from Tony’s Mastery University Program back in the late ‘90s and it remains to this day one of the most powerful learning experiences I have had. At the program Tony shared something he called the “Ten Day Mental Challenge.” Like most things, it is easy to talk about, but extremely challenging to do. The benefit of accepting the challenge lies in something Socrates said, “Once a man’s mind is stretched, it will never go back to its original shape.” Once you feel how people and situations magically change around you when you change, you will become addicted to this new way of thinking. As you start your year with the commitment to be your best, read though the challenge and see if you are committed enough to fully embrace the 10 Day Mental Challenge