The Price of Success

There is an old saying, "you get out of it what you put into it." It is so true for everything in life including martial arts. Recently YouTube videos of the ITF Taekwon-Do Championships have been making the rounds between my students. These videos are amazing, and are often accompanied by the comment, "I wish I could do that." But what I think they really mean is, "I wish I could do that without all of the hard work." I have seen these videos and I know for a fact these martial artists spend not just hours, nor weeks, nor months training but YEARS! These exceptional people want their skills to be extraordinary so much they are willing to make the sacrifice in order to make their desires become a reality.


Let me pause here for a second, let me make sure everyone understands that 'sacrifice' means the giving up of something good for something better. It is a positive thing, not a negative one. I guess one of my crusades is to convince everyone that sacrifice is a positive, my students hear me saying this all of the time!

So let's put this in monetary terms because most people can relate to this. When I was 16 I asked my father for a car, because 'all' of my friends got cars from their parents on their 16th birthday. He said, "son if you get something for free you won't appreciate it or take care of it." I did buy my first car and years later I learned my dad was right. When people get things for free they don't appreciate them. I constantly find sparring gear left behind at class by kids whose parents gave them the gear. So often I see belts laying around the school (by the way this is a huge breach of martial arts etiquette) because the student didn't really work that hard to get it, so it doesn't have much meaning.

Over the years I have taught hundreds if not thousands of students. The vast majority are not willing to apply one of General Choi's points of the student/Instructor relationship, "A student must be willing to sacrifice for his art." Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do page 45. Most students go through the motions with visions of grandeur of being the next Bruce Lee. But soon they get frustrated because despite attending class for 90 minutes once or twice a week they just haven't progressed where they think they should have. They blame the school, the Instructor or the art for their frustration and failure. They refuse to accept the blame for not working hard and sacrificing for success. Interestingly in the 12 years I have been teaching I have only had a handful of students quit, I have however, had hundreds 'take a break' never to return, they simply refuse to accept the responsibility for quitting.

One thing most students will never understand is the heart break an Instructor experiences when he sees students with great potential (not necessarily great talent) give up and quit because they aren't willing to make the sacrifice for the art. It is easier to sit home and watch TV or videos, play video games, spend hours on Face Book, or just hanging out. I have seen so much potential wasted due to, dare I say, laziness, taking the easy road. So many want it only if it comes easily or even better, if it is given to them. This entitlement attitude has no place in Taekwon-Do or in a life worth being lived.

Now I am perfectly aware that as a full-time martial arts Instructor/student I have the luxury of devoting much more time to martial arts than the average person. I understand the importance of finding balance in life whether it be family, school, career, relationships or other hobbies. But I have known people who have careers or are full-time students who have made the sacrifice for their art. They give up good things, like casual time for something better, the perfection of their art. And just as I have experienced the heart break of students who do not live up to their potential, I have experienced the joy of students who excel in our art with enthusiasm and dedication. These people do not whine about the cost, instead the revel in the challenge. They are the ones everyone loves to train with because they are positive even when in pain and sweating profusely .

There are only a handful who are willing to sacrifice for their art. People who are willing to pay the price for excellence in sweat, blood and tears both figuratively and literally. The price they pay produces polished skills and a solid character. Their art benefits them in all aspects of their life not just in the gym. These students are the ones that keep instructors going through the toughest discouragement and motivate us to share our art with others even when so many end up 'taking a break'. These students are the true spirit of Taekwon-Do and martial arts.

As an Instructor I have only one request for the student that doesn't want to make the sacrifice, be courteous and honest. Don't just disappear from class or tell your Instructor you are going to 'take a break' for a while. Have integrity, face you Instructor and tell him or her, "martial arts isn't what I thought it would be, I do not want to continue my training." I know I would appreciate it as well as all the other serious Instructors out there.