How Learning Martial Arts Leads to Life Success

 

“An individual's self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change. A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life.”

Dr. Joyce Brothers, American Psychologist, Columnist, and Author

Doesn't Dr. Brothers' ideas about the importance of how people view themselves perfectly tee up how martial arts benefits children?

Think about the first job you were hired into as an adult. If you were a recent college graduate, you most-likely had no work experience directly-related to your new career. The employer took a chance on you.

But did they?

Companies hire shiny new college graduates everyday. Every new hire is a bit of a gamble. But the risk companies take on someone fresh from school may not be as big as we think. Why? Because they are primarily looking for someone who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to learn.

For most entry-level corporate jobs, it's not "what you know" it's "are you teachable?"

Now think about the stiff competition recent college graduates face for those jobs. There are more graduates than there are jobs, so it simply isn't enough to show up for the interview with a report card full of A's and B's. What then, is your edge?

The Martial Arts Edge

Martial arts can help shape your self-concept and help you stand out in the crowd of job-seekers by giving you an edge over your competition. If two candidates show up for an interview with equal credentials, from equally reputable schools, with the same grades, but one has earned several belts in a martial art...I'm hiring the martial artist.

Why? Because that candidate has demonstrated a path of learning that isn't mandatory, like school. Hiring managers crave interviewees who have gone out of their way to develop a lifelong interest and commitment to learning and improving. Martial arts advancement depends on belt testing, which gives you a measurable achievement you can point to for the job interview, and for life.

I've interviewed many people in my career, so I'm speaking from experience when I tell you that you've got to stand out. You can't get a job with me if all you've got to show me is that you went through the motions of mandatory education.

I want greatness.

And to me, greatness comes from the adaptability that we learn in martial arts. Show me a person who can learn, who can change, who can adapt, and who thrives on these, and I'll want you in my circle. As an employee, as a leader, or as a friend.

Proving to yourself, and others, that you have grown your knowledge, your skills, and your perspective, shores up that self-concept Dr. Brothers claimed essential for your success in life. Because in life, success means staying on your feet and finding your way when you're dealt one of those unpredictable obstacles. We're not expected to know all the answers to life's surprises, but we can strive to be someone who believes enough in ourselves to learn them. We are not expected to know all the answers, but we can believe enough in ourselves to learn them.