Sharpen your Sword

Sharpen your Sword

As I am sitting here in my home office thinking of some new and inspiring things to help my karate students become the best martial artists they can be. I am reminded about the countless hours of training I had to endure to get to where I am today. As well as the many grueling hours I am currently experiencing in my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Journey. And it strikes me clear as day that the one thing that separates the “Average” from the “Extraordinary” is how often you sharpen your sword.

As Cliché as that may sound, we are all in a journey of some sort. Wheather its to achieve our black belt, Get our college degree, learn a new trade, you should always remember to “Sharpen your Sword”.

Now, What does it mean to “Sharpen your Sword”. Well, lets get into it.

Webster Defines Sharpen as:

1. To make something sharp or sharper

2. Make something clear or more distinct

3. To become clearer or more distinct

Now, Lets define Sword.

Webster defines Sword as:

1. A weapon with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority.

2. an agency or instrument of destruction or combat

3. something that resembles a sword (Swordlike)

Now we’ll dissect this 3 word phrase that is “Sharpen your Sword”.

I believe that every one’s sword is different. When you ask someone to describe a sword to you. You could get a different description from what another person is describing.

When I tell my students to sharpen your sword, I am talking about their Training. It is vital that a martial artist continually keeps their training current and consistent.

In other worlds, some may view their sword as a goal or a challenge they would like to achieve or overcome. Sharpening their sword may be to continuing education in the field that they are in.

Some would even go as to take the term literaly and go home and sharpen their sword for the impending Zombie Appocolipse. What every your reasoning is, keep you sword sharp.

I have experienced students earn their Black Belts in the Martial Arts and completely stop training. I am talking about both kids and adults. Now, when you begin your training, you have one goal in mind and that is to get your black belt. But through your training, your thought process should change into one of constant and life changing behaviors that will positively impact your life. By making the commitment to earning your black belt, you are dedicated to your goal.

Your training gets better every class. Your faster, stronger, can recall techniques in the blink of an eye. That is your “SWORD”. Your skill level increases and you feel accomplished when you finally earn your black belt. But then… your there, and that’s it…

Nothing else, just there. No more drive, no more motivation. With the lack of a goal or challenge, you give up. Its like somethings missing, and your not the way you used to be. That is your Sword “Dulling down”.

Now, after some time of missing your training, you are at an event with friends and there is an altercation. You have to defend yourself, and your confident in what you know and what you are capable of. Friends there, know your background who have supported you through your years of hard training to earn your Martial Knowledge and discipline. And there you are standing in front of your advisory, and you are armed with your “Dull Sword”.

Lets take a break from that and look at it from a business point of view.

You decided to start a business, studied your market, know your customers. You have grown “Good Enough” to be able to quit your JOB and become a full time entrepreneur. You are happy, and know that the bills are being paid and the work is getting done. You love what you do, and love it.

Time goes by and you notice that business is dropping and sales are down. You don’t know what happened, because you weren’t managing your business. You missed the opportunities you had to improve the business because it was, “Good Enough”. But your lack of continuing knowledge in your industry and lack of follow through with your own actions and improvements in your business, leads it to fall due to lack of sales, falling numbers, leads to less business. And you find yourself “Back to your 9 to 5”….

Now lets get back to our discussion. The idea of “Sharpen your Sword”. Simply put is to always stay on point. Keep yourself improving . Always practice what you are learning. Become better at that and continue your journey.

It is surprising to me how many people just give up. Its EASY to give up. That why it happens. Its harder to keep going. Its hard to have goals and WORK everyday to achieve them and see them through. But its even harder for me, personally, to never improve. Not enhancing what you do or learn and making it better is failure in process.

Practice your Art. Make your daily goals and follow through with them. Keep striving for your personal perfection every day, so that you are prepared for the next day… with a “Sharp Sword”.