GOALS, INNER DISCIPLINE AND STEPS TO SUCCESS

People often talk about the importance of setting goals. Zig Ziglar, a world famous motivator says, "You can't hit a target you can't see. Likewise, you can't reach a goal you haven't set." This statement recently hit home for a number of reasons. One is that I have set goals and worked toward them and worked hard to succeed. I have not tried to succeed - - I have just set the goal and then proceeded to do my job to make the desired outcome happen. Sometimes I reached my goal on or before the stipulated date and sometimes I had to work long beyond my proposed date for success. But the outcome has been the same in most cases. "Whether you think you can or think you can't . . . the outcome will be the same." People who say they will try to succeed will not because the thought of trying puts a barrier between the person and the desired result. Years of experience shows that a person who says he or she will try to stop to visit you or who will try to help you with a project, will seldom if ever complete their obligation.

A second reason is because people too often take the easy way out . . . instead of the 'Road Not Taken.' A pat on the back or kind word is nice when it is earned and deserved. However, people want praise they have not earned. People take credit for work they have not done. From the newest student in a classroom or dojo to the most experienced, praise is needed. Most people lose sight of the intrinsic motivation that will carry us onward when we must succeed in school and work on our own merit. In the martial arts setting, new materials are introduced in small easy to swallow segments. More small chunks of material are given at the beginning of one's study, than are given after one has progressed into the different ranks of development. This is because each student MUST work to master the things that are given on the first day of one=s studying and not forget to do the LITTLE THINGS better and better each day. All too often students focus on the new material and stop working on the basics, or the proper way to make a fist or the step by step way to do a punch, block or kick properly. Fast and flash becomes primary and the 'things that make the style' become secondary . . . like the tail wagging the dog. If one loses sight of the needed skills, techniques or abilities, it is the responsibility of the Sensei to bring them to the attention of the student and help the student polish them before moving on.

Follow the wisdom is from Coach Tom Landry. Enjoy your journey to success. Don't make the mistake of thinking you cannot be content, excited, optimistic, or proud until you have achieved your desired level of success. Enjoy these attitudes TODAY. Give yourself permission to stand tall and stay confident. Keep a light heart while pursuing your dreams. Bring humor to the hassles. Bring faith to the frustrations. Learn to laugh at life. One day the moments that now seem so bitter will be your sweetest memories. You might as well enjoy them now.

It is my goal to help each student become the best person he or she may become. Sometimes more than a pat on the back was needed when I was young as my parents or instructor helped me grow into adulthood. Sometimes I was not a happy camper. Address problems before they become a larger than life situation. Bring thoughts and desires to the attention of the person who can best help improvement or correct a situation when it is not a major problem. Work hard for what you want. Smile a little, practice doing all things the way they should be done, do not take short cuts or put too much pressure on yourself. Then, watch the outcomes.

Discipline is Love! December 2002 5Pillars.com A special message from Zig Ziglar:

It is my great privilege to know General Colin Powell (US Secretary of State), and to have been present during a recent question and answer session with him. I believe his remarks are worth repeating.

Someone asked, "What did you learn in the military?" General Powell said that the first thing he learned was that everyone was at the same level (thanks to the uniform haircut given all recruits).

Other things he learned were: To stand at attention and salute, which instilled discipline and obedience; to march in step and function as a part of a team while taking individual pride as a team member; that if he did not stay in step with the others there were undesirable consequences; and that if he performed well, both he and his team were recognized.

He pointed out that basic training physically hardens recruits and makes them respect their own bodies, enabling them to perform better. He observed that the first week is generally so hard and the drill sergeant so demanding that most recruits develop something akin to hatred for the Sergeant. But the hatred fades quickly. By the second week of training, the typical recruit is doing everything he can to please his drill sergeant. That is an amazing turn-about. For many recruits, the discipline is translated to love and caring for them, which is a new experience for some.

The truth is, discipline is love, just ask any parent. Discipline is essential to every individual and crucial for teams. No unit can ever become a potent fighting force without discipline and no life can be truly successful without it.

The criteria for becoming a successful soldier or a successful private citizen are the same. If we learn to function as a team member, we will do so only after we've brought our own personal life under control and learned how to "drill." When you sum it all up it really says there's something we can do about our future.

BACK TO THE BASICS AGAIN ?

"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes but they never quit." Conrad Hilton

Why Women Should Weight Train! April, 2003 5Pillars.com

Although we know how important weight training is to maintain lean muscle tissue and bone density, go into almost any gym and you'll find aerobics classes comprised mostly of women, and the weight room filled primarily with men. Where does this gender difference come from? Many women still believe that aerobic activity is the best way to ensure a trim and "toned" body, while weight training will give them unattractive, muscle bound physiques. When asked what they mean by being 'toned,' most women describe a lean, firm physique. If this is one of your fitness goals, and you have not added weight training to your aerobic exercises, you are missing the boat! Frankly, the highly masculine appearance and extreme muscle mass associated with so many of today's female bodybuilders is NOT what most women will look like if they begin to lift weights. A very small percentage (5%) of women are able to develop what would be considered larger than "normal" muscularity for the female physique when weight training. In the professional bodybuilding world, it is the use of anabolic steroids that creates the look of masculinity and causes extreme muscularity.

Lets look at some of the many benefits you will gain from a good strength training routine:

Because resistance training increases lean muscle mass, it is your key to burning more calories 24 hours a day. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it needs calories to maintain itself. Even when you sleep, your muscles are responsible for more than 25 percent of your calorie use. Simply put, bigger muscles burn more calories than smaller ones. Women who strength train on a regular basis have significantly firmer, leaner bodies than those spend countless hours training aerobically. The muscle that weight training creates is firm and solid, while fat is soft and jiggly. Too much aerobic activity wastes valuable muscle, invariably slowing down your metabolism and making it difficult to keep weight off. There is improved symmetry and proportion as weight training rebuilds and reshapes your body like no other exercise can. By concentrating on certain muscle groups you can drastically change the way you look. For example, if you increase the size of the back, it will give you a v taper, which automatically makes the waist look smaller, even if you never did a single sit up! Building the upper body helps to counter balance heavier hips and thighs.

Women who weight train have more energy, feel less stressed and are much happier with their appearance. It doesn=t take too many weeks of consistent weight training to notice results. The most obvious change is that you lose inches due to changes in body composition, so your clothes fit more loosely and comfortably. As one continues with the program there will be Increasedr poise, grace and flexibility. Lifting weights trains your joints to move more freely through a full and normal range of motion. Proper weight training emphasizes making complete movements of the muscles from a full extension to a complete contraction and back again with every repetition.

Proper training form will improved posture. Good posture contributes to a look of confidence and strength, more importantly it contributes to health and well being. Lifting weights decreases the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. Bone is living tissue, and responds to resistance training by becoming denser. Strength training reduces the risk of injury. A solid, strong, well conditioned person is much less likely to suffer serious injury than a person who is out of shape. Strength and personal independence are greatly improved. As you age, you want to be able to carry a heavy bag of groceries in from the car, move a piece of furniture, climb a flight of stairs without becoming winded. You want to have the energy to keep up with the grandkids. You want to be able to protect and defend yourself, as well as manage daily chores and activities without undue fatigue

As is evident, if you want to unlock your potential and get into the best shape of your life, you simply must begin working out with weights. There are many more benefits to be had from weight training! If you'd like to give strength training a try, it is always a good idea to check with your physician before you begin. A total fitness program includes warming up, stretching, strength training, and a moderate amount of cardiovascular activity for heart health. Whatever your objectives, start out slowly and always train safely; don't try to do too much too soon.

A BIG thank you and CONGRATULATIONS to everyone to helped and participated in our 17th annual benefit karate tournament.

The day was a tremendous success because of the HELP and PARTICIPATION of our karate students, their parents and friends. You should be very proud of what you help to achieve for the Cancer and Diabetes Societies. We had in excess of 300 competitors - - we started about 30 minutes later than I hoped for BUT we completed every event before 5 P.M. and with very few problems during the day!

Congratulations : Erin Emery, Alex and Greg Becker - Senior Yellow Belts

Josh Rafalko, Victoria Dait, Christina McNerney, Joshua & Zachary LaPooh, and Hassan White - Junior Yellow Belts