10 Tips for achieving a black belt

[POWERJIM]

By: Pete Mills

Training for a blackbelt is no easy task. It requires dedication and a lot of hard work. Most systems usually take at least three years to go through the grading structure, for example from white to black in Taekwondo. Here are ten pointers to help keep you focused and motivated in achieving that blackbelt.

1. Focus On The First Step:

Is it the case that you are looking too far ahead? What is important is that you focus on getting that first hurdle out of the way. You must really work hard on the basics and build a solid foundation on which to grow. Therefore spend time on the simple techniques that you are shown first- having solid basics is the core for achieving a blackbelt in any system.

2. Listen To Your Body:

If you are not feeling 100% in training and your energy levels feel low, it may be the case that you are training too hard. It may be however, that your body is simply reacting to all together different stresses.

Good examples here could be over work, poor diet or perhaps even emotional stress. Take a step back and review the way you live your life. Remember though, don't give up.

3. Do What You Enjoy:

Being in the right class environment that you will enjoy is very important in keeping motivated for that blackbelt. If you are the type of character that enjoys sparring and participation in the competitions, but your class structure revolves around form work and self defense you need to make changes.

Either suggest to your instructor that you would like to do more sparring (make sure you are respectful and your instructor should welcome feedback) or it may simply be the case the class is not right for you.

4. Visualize Achievement:

My trick to get through a particular hard training session is to visualize how I will feel at the end of it. Be positive and imagine how you will feel during the cool down, knowing that you have maintained maximum effort throughout. Looking long term, visualize how it will feel to put that blackbelt on and the respect you will get from fellow students.

5. Resist The Temptation To Be Lazy:

The one simple fact you should remember is that a blackbelt is only achieved through hard work and commitment. It is difficult when it's summer and you sit at home dreading the thought of working out in high temperatures, like wise it may be freezing and you have decided to tuck up and watch television for the evening.

Resist the temptation! Students who train at least twice weekly whatever the elements, will be the students who achieve their blackbelt.

6. Set Yourself Achievable Goals:

Whether it be to run that extra mile or perform a multiple kicking combination, it is vital to set achievable goals. Maybe start with five goals that you want to achieve in a six month period.

Possible examples are:

Get an A on your next grading.
Do 70 push ups in one set.
Perform the splits.
Win gold at the next tournament.
Train an extra session a week.
Eat a more balanced diet.

Remember to keep it simple and don't set yourself unattainable goals.

7. Shake Down That Old Routine:

You may be in a situation where you feel bored with training. You are training twice a week at your club with a gym session in between yet you don't see an improvement and your interest is just not there. Assess your weekly routine, perhaps try some cross training or seek the advice of a trainer at the gym.

8. Monitor Your Progression:

You need to ask yourself on a regular basis, am I learning? Sometimes you reach a plateau in your training and the simple fact is your not progressing. You need to distinguish between what you are experiencing and what you need to experience, then make changes accordingly.

9. Plan Your Training Time On A Weekly Basis:

If you really want to achieve that blackbelt you should be looking to do at least 5 hours per week. If you know that particular week you may not be able to make the class time look for other ways to make it up.

Perhaps do a twenty minute training session working your techniques or forms before you go to work. That way on a weekly basis you are constantly training the mind of the respective techniques and forms you have to know.

10. Reinforce The Reasons Why You Train:

What is the main reason why you train? The attitude you need to have is that you want to stay committed and dedicated not because you have to, but because you want to. To get to that blackbelt you have to train hard and make sacrifices so it's important to reinforce the values of your training. ME.

[ktinspired]

GOod one PJ!

[Hawkwind]

Nice! Thanks PJ.

I most certainly have to plan on more than 5 hours a week. I have to practice daily as well as stretch daily now to keep up with my training.

10. Reinforce The Reasons Why You Train:
Ironically that came up last night in class. My training partner started training because both of her sons train. Since I'm the oldest in class she has been wondering why I started to train so late in life. It made for an interesting conversation to be sure.

[narcsarge]

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

Nice! Thanks PJ.

I most certainly have to plan on more than 5 hours a week. I have to practice daily as well as stretch daily now to keep up with my training.

10. Reinforce The Reasons Why You Train:
Ironically that came up last night in class. My training partner started training because both of her sons train. Since I'm the oldest in class she has been wondering why I started to train so late in life. It made for an interesting conversation to be sure.

Man Hawk! You, KT, and I could have some wild conversations about MA training and starting "later" in life. Since a lot of my school is geared to kids and adults are the minority, I enjoy it when we get new adults signing up. A lot of times it is because the kids were signed up first but the reason that they keep training differs with each individual.

[Hawkwind]

Originally Posted by narcsarge

Man Hawk! You, KT, and I could have some wild conversations about MA training and starting "later" in life. Since a lot of my school is geared to kids and adults are the minority, I enjoy it when we get new adults signing up. A lot of times it is because the kids were signed up first but the reason that they keep training differs with each individual.

Oh yeah we could! I'm grateful that my school is small. And like you I love it when another adult signs up. I get a lot of stunned looks from parents that are at least 10 years my junior when they realize that I'm there to train. A few of them have stayed to watch Amber and I train a couple times and everyone of them has said something to the effect of: "I couldn't make it through the conditioning part of the training!" I smile and tell them, "Oh yes you could...if I'm in my mid 40's and can do it...so could you!"

Granted if it weren't for the fact that I'm on the trails frequently and had specifically been training for stamina/distance I would have had a harder time starting my MA training...that and I'm grateful for all the time I've put in with my lifting and yoga! My yoga, trail training and lifting training have been invaluable to my MA training. The trouble is 'fitting' it all in!

And training with teens has been a blast. I was just commenting to Sifu (Eric) that I was pleased to see "J" and "K" finally relaxing around Amber and I. The kids were so worried about hitting or insulting us in the beginning that they were holding back too much. It's been very good for them to have opponents that are taller and heavier to train with. I love watching their confidence building.

Amber was teasing me last week during class, she said it's very noticeable that I've worked as an instructor/leader of some sort because I'm always 'praising' my opponents through their attacks and correcting them on their holds when they get it wrong!

[narcsarge]

I too suffer from being a "teacher". I have been teaching something since I was 17 years old and I do find it hard sometimes to remember that I am a student when in class.

[Hawkwind]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one!