If not, is your school DOOMED for mediocrity (or failure)?
This age-old debate goes something like this: Are you simply “born with it” or are you the sum total of your experiences? Was Charles Manson a criminal from birth, or was he immersed in such a dysfunctional environment that he had no hope to be a productive member of society? Was Muhammad Ali predestined to become a champion at conception, or was he compelled to greatness by his circumstances?
Although this is a debate that may rage for eternity, one thing is certain, in this country and especially in today’s “information generation” society, we have every opportunity to “take the bull by the horns” and set ourselves (and our students) up for success! As instructors and “success coaches,” we MUST understand what it takes to create the right environment and the right culture to produce the results we want for our students and Black Belts.
If you are reading this magazine and this column in particular, then you probably already know this on at least a sub-conscious level. There are thousands of school owners who chose not to even think about improving themselves or their schools; and, by default, not to improve the quality of the program they offer their students. You, however, are the exception to the rule!
Take a moment to consider your martial arts training. When did you make the greatest improvements? When did you push yourself to your maximum potential?
Was it while training in your “regular” class, working out as usual, or did you find that extra little bit of “gas in the tank” while you were competing against a better fighter? Was it the time you had the opportunity to stand next to the highest kicker in the school, or the opportunity to work out with the instructors for the first time? What about at your rank examinations (especially Black Belt)?
I think we all find that we expand our range, and break down our limited thinking when we are surrounded by other “high performers,” or the bar is raised before us. This might explain why so many “world records” are broken during the Olympic Games and, not necessarily, during normal training.
Unfortunately, being an entrepreneur can sometimes be an isolating experience. In most cases, we don’t report to anyone, or we “hold our own feet to the fire.” That’s the reason many of us decided to open our own businesses in the first place. Sadly, without someone to help you raise your expectations of your business or even yourself, you can easily “get in a rut” and allow all the success and opportunity you truly deserve pass you by.
Napoleon Hill wrote his life-changing book, Think and Grow Rich, and published it in 1937. Even though many years have passed, the fundamentals of business and success HAVE NOT!
Hill presented the IMMENSE value of surrounding yourself with successful people, using the “Master Mind” concept, and this very idea has been THE most valuable thing that has EVER happened to me personally and for my business!
I am originally from the Midwest, a small town in Iowa right on the Mississippi River. A pretty unremarkable place. Good schools, cold winters and many rural communities.
It was, however, only about a three-hour drive to Chicago. A trip I liked to make often, especially as I began to become a basketball fan. Of course, the mid 80’s and my proximity meant I became a HUGE Chicago Bulls fan (and by default, a Michael Jordan fan).
It was truly an inspiring opportunity to see a player and a team competing at such a high level. They were really clicking on all cylinders.
Just imagine…
Michael Jordan (in his prime) steps on the court and, instead of a team of highly skilled professional basketball players, suddenly from the locker room emerges a group of eager junior high school students ready to “play ball.” Of course, Michael will probably still win, but will he perform at an optimal level? Certainly not.
Now, of course, there is an element of performing under pressure here as well, but, excluding that, Michael, our students, our staff and ourselves will tend to reflect our environment. If we are surrounded by high performers, then we’ll tend to be high performers. If we are surrounded by low performers, then ours will be affected as well.
Therefore, we all need to create deliberately and consciously environments that will help us perform at a high level.
Next month, I’ll present ideas about what entrepreneurs need to keep them pushing forward.
Toby Milroy is the director of sales and marketing at NAPMA and Central Florida Regional Director for Mile High Karate. He holds Black Belts in several styles of martial arts. He can be contacted through his Web site at www.MileHighFranchise.com or at TobyMilroy@MileHighKarate.com.
