Four years ago, at 47, I finally started karate classes. It’s something I had wanted to do since I was 20. I am closing in on my brown belt now. For four years, I have gone to 2 or 3 classes every week. The classes are 1½ hours long though I usually go half an hour early to stretch and practice and stay about 15 minutes after each class to practice some more. Pretty much every class we work on basics like punching properly, correct stances, foot work and proper technique. Over time, your technique gets better and better but there are always beginners and lower belts in class who need to work on their technique. So, at a certain point, it’s easy for a more advanced student to zone out while Sensei Mike, our head instructor who is a 7th degree black belt, explains things to the class. After all, you’ve heard it hundreds of times and you know what you’re doing right?
Another Sensei in our club said something interesting one day when she was leading the class. She is a 3rd degree black belt, has studied martial arts for several decades and continues to do basics just like the rest of us. She said that whenever she hears Mike say something about technique, rather than thinking, I know this already, she imagines that he is speaking directly to her. She checks and double checks her stances and all of her techniques. I began to notice that several of my techniques which had been getting really strong were slipping. I also saw this in students of all levels. So I started to apply what she said. What a difference it made. Its all about how we approach things and our attitude.
How does this relate to you in business or on a personal level? Consider the following questions. I think you’ll get the point.
When was the last time you listened to your voice message? Is it friendly, upbeat, polite? Are you putting your best foot forward?
How is your e-mail etiquette these days? Are you remembering to say hi, and cheers?
Are you as patient with people today as you were in the past?
Are you rushing through things? For example, when you write a proposal, are you reading it and re-reading it and making it the best it can be or are you relying on years of proposal writing to get the job done quicker?
Have you smiled cheerfully and thanked the receptionist or warehouse guy lately?
How responsive are you these days?
When was the last time you brought flowers home to your wife?
When was the last time you cooked him or her their favorite meal?
When was the last time you called a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a while?
How about at the grocery store or gas station, are you smiling and being pleasant or are you in such a hurry that you forget to say hello and thank you?
When you read articles like the ones posted here or at other web sites, or read books, or hear a good speaker, are you thinking, yes I know all this stuff already or are you taking the time to check your attitude and your performance?
Little things slip over time and we don’t shine quite as brightly as we once did. If you have owned a home for many years, you will know what I mean. Paint gets scuffed, floors get scratched, roofs get mossy and flower beds get full of weeds. If you don’t take the time to address each thing, in time, your home just doesn’t gleam like it once did. As I mentioned in another article, if you don’t look after these things, in time, they become invisible to you.
It’s a great idea to take some time every day to evaluate yourself. Check your technique as it were. Don’t compare yourself to others. Rather, compare to what you know YOU are capable of and always strive to be the best you can be!
© Gil Namur, 2009
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