"Seventy percent of success in life is showing up."
--Woody Allen 

   Staying motivated in one's karate training can be a challenge. It requires a commitment of time and the self-discipline to practice what is taught. There are so many distractions in life, it is easy to say, "I don't really feel like going to class tonight. I think I'll skip." Excuses like, "I'm too tired" or "I don't feel well" or "I'll just go next week" all are an easy way out. It's always easier to make an excuse. 
   I am no exception to the excuse game. Many years ago when I first started karate, there was a period of time in which I struggled to attend regular karate classes or even train on my own. I'd make a lot of excuses to justify in my mind that it was ok to skip a class every now and then. However, I soon saw that some of my friends in class were getting promoted in rank and I wasn't. This frustrated me and I considered quitting. I approached my Sensei after class and before I could say anything, he asked "Do you want to become a black belt one day?" I said, "Yes. It's always been a dream of mine to become a black belt."  He then leaned in and said, "Let me tell you a little secret... karate, like anything you want to succeed at in life, requires commitment and perseverance. If you want to one day become a black belt, you must demonstrate both. Anyone can quit. That's easy! But if you truly want to become a black belt, you MUST turn that dream into a goal. Commit to it. Be Present. Attend classes. Practice. Focus on your goal and NEVER quit until you achieve it." 
    I went home and I made a promise to myself to attend all classes, no excuses. The only way I would miss class was if there was some unforeseen circumstance, emergency or actual illness that would be in the best interest to not spread around. And if one of these rare things occurred, I notified my instructor that I wasn't going to be there and kindly requested a lesson plan so I could practice at home. It was a true commitment. 
   There still were times in which I didn't want to go to class. However, I've personally found that when I didn't feel like going was when I needed it the most. The safe environment, the meditation and just getting some exercise, lifted my mood. It made me feel better. And with each class, I was one step closer to achieving my goal. Of course I did finally earn my black belt. It took me five years of dedication. Had I not missed so many classes that first year, I may have earned my black belt in four years. But, once I earned the coveted black belt, I didn't want my goal to stop there. I set new goals and became an instructor. At the writing of this entry, I am a third degree black belt and I continue to learn and grow in the martial arts. The martial arts have become my passion and I see myself as a life-time practitioner of the arts. 
    My advice to any student of the martial arts hoping to stay motivated is:  Set goals for yourself. Select things that you want to be able to do. The goal to be a black belt may be too daunting. Set some small goals like, I will practice my kata outside of class 5 times this week. Or, I will work to attend every karate class this month. Then reward yourself as you achieve your goals and set new goals along the way.  
    If you want to advance in rank and eventually become a black belt, it requires three main things:

1. Attend classes regularly. (as it takes a minimum of 50 classes to be eligible for the next kyu rank, and you miss any new lesson material if you aren't there)
   
2. Attitude. Demonstrate a positive attitude by showing respect and courtesy to others.
   
3. Practice. Keep up your "success notebook" and practice what you learn in class.
   

The longer you do the martial arts the more it becomes a way of life and a part of who you are.  There is a switch that occurs somewhere during your training where the motivation to continue training and learning suddenly becomes stronger than the motivation to quit. 

    I consider myself a life-long practitioner of the martial arts. Like many other life-long martial artists, the study of karate is a way of life, a philosophy in living. 
    Initially, when a student starts taking karate classes it is usually for the reasons of self defense, physical health or the sport of it. But, if you choose to progress in the art you learn that karate is much more than that. It encompasses the mind, body and spirit of the practitioner. Humility, patience, self discipline, self control and poise are just some of the life benefits of karate-do. (The Way of Karate) All of these qualities are important to learn for a karate practitioner to advance in the art. An advanced martial artist is taught methods to seriously harm, maim or kill another human being. If a student does not posses a maturity or tempered spirit then learning these advanced techniques could be a danger to society and themselves. For this reason, warriors are held to a higher standard of living.
    As an instructor, I will only share advanced teachings to students who have proven their honor, humility and Integrity. My goal in life is to guide my students to be the best they can be. I am a facilitator that offers lessons in being an honorable warrior, a leader and a positive example to others. I take my role as instructor seriously. Everyday I strive to be a positive example and role model. I continue to learn and improve myself as well. 
    Through the years down my own path in karate-do, I have come to believe eight philosophical principles. I feel that following these principles will lead to enlightened living. 

1. You are on earth for a reason. There is a purpose to every single person no matter how long or short a period you are alive or what physical, mental, environmental or spiritual challenges you may have.
   
2. Your primary goal is to be the best person you can be. By "best" that means a purpose-driven life, a peaceful spirit and with positive personality traits. But, not everyone will achieve this. 
3. Every tough frustration, challenge or tragedy contains a lesson to be learned. If you do not learn from the lesson it will repeat itself over and over again in your life until you do learn it.
4. There is a higher power at work in your life. The sooner you begin to believe in God or a Higher Power, the sooner you will find serenity in your life. You will find peace in surrendering control of your life over to your Higher Power and realizing you are not alone in handling problems. 
5. Live in the present. Set goals and make plans for the future. From your past, remember the lessons and happy memories. But, don't dwell in the past or in the future. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are serene, you are living in the present. Your slate is wiped clean each and every morning.
6. Dismiss anger in your life. It's ok to get angry on occasion, but don't let anger control you. If you are confronted with a toxic topic or person memorize these three responses: "Maybe you are right." "Let me get back to you on that." "Thanks for bringing that to my attention." Sometimes, you may need to walk (or run!) away from the person or place that is causing the anger to well up inside you.
7. When confronted with a big decision, make the one that has the most positive outcomes. What is the best that can happen? Don't worry about the worst that could happen as the worst rarely happens. But, the best that can happen has the highest probability of happening. Don't worry about making a "wrong" decision. Whatever decision you make will lead to an important lesson. Even if the outcome of your decision is negative, eventually whatever path you went down will come back around to your Master Path. Your Master Path is the path your Higher Power has laid out for your life. 
8. Your highest calling is to serve humanity in some way, shape or form in a positive way.  When you begin living out this true purpose you will find enlightenment.