The most obvious of these similarities is the Belt Ranking System. You will meet some "Purists" within the arts that will tell you that the rank does not matter, and in a utopian society, they would be correct. However, as many scientific studies have supported, the human psyche does respond positively to progression. What this means to us as martial artists is very simple. Since the 19th century when Jigoro Kano (the founder of Judo) developed the colored belt system, this time honored tradition has helped individuals, both male and female, to mark their progress in the martial arts.

Whether you are using a "Gold Star" system with a five year old, or a sales board at a used car lot, the method stands true. The more clearly you are able to see your progress, the more motivated you will become to continue in a given direction.

So How Can I Use This To Help Me In My Training?

Each of our students is asked to designate an "I Love Me" wall in their home. I know that this may seem a little to "California" for most people, but the idea is not based in New Aged Freudian Theory. It is based on the simple fact that we as humans have a tendency to forget where we have come from, and to focus only the negative in front of us. With an "I Love Me" wall, the idea is to fill it with all of your best accomplishments. Certifications, Degrees, Prizes, etc. With this constant reminder of what we are capable of accomplishing, it can help us to find our way through darker times when things do not seem to be going our way.

 In much the same manner, a rank system that "Visually" marks our progress, will constantly remind us of our progress in the martial arts. I can't recall how many times I have sat down with a parent who did not feel as though their child was progressing. It is then my job to remind them of what their child looked like when first visiting our school. Inevitably the parent searches their memory banks and comes to the realization that the child has indeed made tremendous progress, and that they had not really been able to notice because they were watching as the process slowly took place over a period of months or years.

To Achieve Success - You Must Progress!

Yes we all want to be better at our jobs, better in school, better Husbands, better Wives, but we also need that reminder that we are moving in a positive direction. Challenge yourself to find these markers in your own life. How can you mark your progress? In addition, challenge yourself to create these markers for someone else in their life. It might be as simple as a compliment, a "Good Job" or you might even take a moment to tell them exactly how they have been progressing. Who knows, they might return the favor for you!