Osu!
"Maximum attendance leads to maximum achievement."
-Anonymous
"Are you not paying attention because it is boring or is it boring because you are not paying attention?"
-Anonymous
Dear Peak Performer,
I trust this letter finds you well. We had an outstanding week of training, followed by an overwhelmingly spectacular Color Belt Test and Promotion on Saturday.
The adult session was excellent. We focused on the core 4 of our belt curriculum; strikes, blocks, kicks, and stances. I was impressed with everyone's progress. We finished off the session with Nunchuck and Bo fundamentals.
All of the children's test sessions were fantastic. The kids are on track with their training. Deshi Geoghegan and Shihan Koprowski are making a tremendously positive impact on our children's program. The kids are benefiting from their influence.
Let's renew our understanding of the Proficiency Continuum.
When we embark upon a new endeavor, it is because we perceive the process and/or result to be attractive and appealing. We think it is going to be fun.
"Fun" is an oversimplification of what we really want. But it is safe, and it has become somewhat synonymous with feeling good. To feel good, emotionally, is what we actually want.
We get started, and quickly experience the difficulty and demands of our new interest. It looked so easy and enjoyable. It even appeared to be effortless.
"Effortless is illusion, created by people who have cultivated extraordinary skill."
-Anonymous
"Failure" is the label we place on our natural inability to get things right, immediately. Our desire for instant gratification causes this conclusion. Use it to your advantage.
"Frustration" is the consequence of failure, provided that you are emotionally invested in a successful outcome. It means we are experiencing the pain of dissatisfaction. We are not measuring up to our expectations.
"Fascination" follows frustration, if we are sincere about achieving proficiency. We must become profoundly interested in figuring out ways to overcome our lack of skill. We must become hyper-conscious.
"Fighting" is a word that our culture tends to shy away from. It is a direct reference to the struggle that is necessary in the acquisition of every useful skill and competency. If you are not willing to fight, you do not stand a chance of succeeding.
"Fulfillment" is the result. It is the emotional consequence of a proficient experience. That is what we are really pursuing. Calling it "fun" is just a safe simplification. We really seek fulfilment.
Give it some thought. I would love to know what you think.
You may want to think about, before you agree.
M3 - for 4/31/14
Please wear your FULL UNIFORM
WHITE FORM
BELT CURRICULUM - ALL BLACK BELT LEVEL STRIKES, BLOCKS, KICKS, and STANCES
WEAPONRY - BO - ESSENTIALS, SET, FORM, AND 2-PERSON DRILLS
SELF DEFENSE - TECHNIQUES 1-5
BLACK FORM
I look forward to seeing you in class!
Respectfully,
Kyoshi
