By Sensei Matt Dorsey
Self esteem is the cornerstone for all success in life. Self esteem is the knowledge that you are a valuable person. Self esteem is understanding that there is no one who talks like you, walks like you, no one with your color eyes and hair. It is realizing that no other person has your personality or your abilities, and it is being comfortable with your uniqueness. Self esteem is that calm sense of self respect, that deep down knowledge in your soul of you self-worth, and confidence in your abilities. High self esteem is assertive behavior, not aggressively acting out our feelings. These are traits that we all want for ourselves and our children. This what a good martial arts programs can do for you.
A good martial arts program builds self esteem by helping children and adults see themselves as having value. It treats students with the respect they deserve, while requiring proper discipline. It builds on the fact that everyone needs positive support by doing everything possible to find students doing things right. By the way, you might try this exercise yourself. As Zig Ziglar puts it, become a "good finder." That is, finding the good that other people (our children, spouse, co-workers, etc.) are doing. When we begin to focus on the positive, we begin to become part of the solution, rather than the problem. When we build self esteem in others, we build our own self esteem, because it's impossible to sincerely help others without feeling better ourselves.
A good martial arts program not only reinforces achievement, but also effort. By focusing on the process, goals come upon us more quickly. It rewards the process, as well as the goal achievement, because learning how to be persistent is important to real success. The development of self esteem is so important that it should be stressed in staff development program. At Martial Arts America, we regularly discuss how to help students generally, and specifically, feel better about their marital arts training. We know that this will also help them feel better in other parts of their lives. © 2000, Martial Arts America. Used by permission.
Note: this article was adapted from an article appearing in the Martial Arts America monthly newsletter. Click here to contact Martial Arts America.
About Sensei Matt Dorsey
Sensei Dorsey has over 20 years experience in martial arts and has studied
tae kwon do, karate, jujitsu, JKD concepts, Filipino stick fighting and samurai sword.
He currently hold a 6th degree black belt in karate and is the Director of Martial
Arts America, in Rochester, NY. He is also the Northeast Regional Director for the
A.A.U. Karate program.
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