No. 1: Make “Yes” Your Favorite Word.
Try to never say no. The reason is obvious. Yes is positive, and no is not. Yes propels people forward, and no does not. Yes tells your students that they’re exceptional and that they’re leaving “run of the mill” in the dust. No does none of that.
Still, many people love to say no. Sometimes it’s because they’re just used to it. Sometimes it’s because that’s the way they were taught. Occasionally it’s because they believe it gives them a sense of power and control.
In the dojo, some people reflexively say things like, “No, you must wait until I tell you it’s time.” The question the student posed could have been about earning the next belt, learning a new kata, competing in a tournament or getting a drink of water. It’s not surprising that “no people” usually have a low student count.
In the 1980s, I read a popular self-help book titled Don’t Say Yes When You Want to Say No. While that book had nothing to do with creating a martial arts business plan, “no” managed to find its way into my dojo’s day-to-day operations. That never should have happened.
Much later, I learned that saying yes often leads to hard work but that work almost always pays off. It sends the message “I will go to the ends of the earth to help you.” In contrast, saying no sends the message “I don’t get paid enough to do that.”
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
10 YEARS OF TRAVEL, PART 2
THIS MULTIPART COLUMN WAS WRITTEN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 10 TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS LAUNCH AND ITS ASSIGNMENT TO A WRITER NAMED ANTONIO GRACEFFO, THE MARTIAL ARTIST WHO HAS BECOME BLACK BELT’S ROVING REPORTER IN ASIA. IT PRESENTS MORE OF THE AUTHOR’S CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S MARTIAL ARTS.
4 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DOJO AND YOUR LIFE
These four ways to improve your dojo and your life are all about attitude. As such, they will elevate the mood in your school and make learning more enjoyable. First up: Make "yes" your favourite word.
KEYBOARD WARRIORS
BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, A PLETHORA OF VIDEOS HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE THEIR TRAINING WHILE IN LOCKDOWN OR NEAR LOCKDOWN. THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR ALL PRACTICING MARTIAL ARTISTS BECAUSE EVERYONE SUDDENLY HAS ACCESS TO NOTABLE FIGHTERS AND TRAINERS WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE TO THE MASSES.
KUNG FU HIP HOP, DA MARTIAL ELEMENTS AND MARCO JOHNSON
BEING ONE OF THE TOP MARTIAL ARTISTS IN THE WORLD SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ANY PRACTITIONER OF KUNG FU, KARATE OR TAEKWONDO. YET THAT ALONE ISN’T ALWAYS ENOUGH TO BRING SUCCESS OUTSIDE OF MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS AND TOURNAMENT VENUES.
WHY YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING “COBRA KAI”
Because I’m somewhat familiar with the Black Belt demographic, I can safely say there’s a good chance you’re a lot like me. You probably grew up in the martial arts, and when The Karate Kid came out in 1984, you loved every minute of it.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE KATA?
IF YOU’RE A STUDENT OF JAPANESE OR OKINAWAN KARATE, YOU’VE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE FIRST OF THE FIVE HEIAN OR PINAN KATA.
SELF-DEFENSE READINESS TEST
PREPARATION IS NO GUARANTEE OF SURVIVAL, BUT FEW DOUBT THAT THE ODDS OF PREVAILING IN ANY STRESSFUL SITUATION INCREASE FOR THE PREPARED PERSON.
PAPER TIGERS
MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE PROMISES TO CREATE A NEW GENRE!
UNESCO'S INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF MARTIAL ARTS
It’s a martial arts gem that’s not yet well known. It’s an international organization that’s trying to bridge the gap between styles, techniques and countries. In addition to striving to do all this, it’s a group that’s emphasizing the positive values the martial arts teach.
The Sabaki Revolution
As Seen Through the Evolution of Enshin Karate’s Rules, Concepts and Techniques
DECADE OF iPAD: HOW THE TABLET CHANGED THE WORLD
In 2010, Apple CEO Steve Jobs took to the stage to announce a device that would revolutionize the way we read, watch, learn, and work. Ten years on, the iPad remains one of Apple’s most iconic products, ushering in a personal computing experience that continues to evolve at speed.
EXTRAORDINARY BOATS
HELEN FRETTER ON KARMA
UNSTOPPABLE with Tracy Tutor
As our long time readers know, a number of our cover photoshoots have taken place in phenomenal luxury residences here in NYC as well as other locales around the country. So it's no surprise that we love reality shows that focus on luxury real estate. The OG of these programs includes BRAVO's Million Dollar Listing. Both NY and LA focuses not only on the housing market in those cities, but also follows the brokers to understand what their lives and interactions are like as they are closing multi million dollar deals.
Small-scale art
RJD Gallery in Bridgehampton, New York, hosts its annual BIG ART, small canvas exhibition beginning October 31, featuring an array of artwork by some of its most sought-after gallery artists.
Papi's Sign
“I saw a butterfly,” my mother said with a shy smile. It was the first time I’d seen her smile since my father’s death the week before. After a seven-year period of steadily declining health, he’d passed away in his bed at home, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. It was a peaceful end to his suffering, but saying goodbye was still difficult. We all missed him terribly. Especially Mami.
WINTER OF DISCONTENT
The hot stove could quickly turn to deep freeze
HALLE'S NEW LAD WAS A CAD!
Cheating past could catch up to singer Van Hunt
Two engines, four-wheel drive: Citroen's 4x4 is unique … just check the trunk
Automakers have devised quite a few ways to get power to all four (or sometimes more) wheels underneath off-road vehicles, but only a very select few have accomplished that task with two engines.
DYNAMIC DUO
HUMANS AND EARTH ARE OFTEN AT ODDS, BUT WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, THEY CAN COMBINE THEIR POWERS TO BRING NEW LIFE TO LANDSCAPES.
Mill Brass & Aluminum with a CNC Router
Add a new dimension to your woodworking skills.