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AWMA, Inc.
9400 Ashton Road
Philadelphia, PA
19114
Call Us Toll Free:
1.800.345.2962
Fax: 1.800.922.2962
awma@awma.com
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Planting the Seeds of Greatness...Early and often!
Many years ago, when I entered my first Martial Arts dojo, there was a curious mystique about it. (Some dojos I have been in have a curious mystical odor...not the same thing:)
The mystique I speak about was an atmosphere that sparked my curiosity and enthusiasm.
During my first Intro Lesson, my instructor, Master Lee Thompson began to plant seeds of greatness in my young and impressionable mind. He did it in a very sincere and positive fashion. I was hooked instantly and decided that I wanted to become his student and I was determined to become his best Black Belt.
He was a great teacher and mentor to me at that time of my life. He always encouraged me and made me feel like I was capable of becoming a strong Black Belt and then he planted the seeds of me becoming a teacher as well.
"It is the nature of man to rise to greatness, if greatness is expected of him!" -- John Steinbeck
Several years later, I had the good fortune of becoming a student of Hall of Fame Boxing Coach, Ray Rinaldi. He also planted seeds of greatness in my mind, early and often. He made me feel as though I could become great at boxing. He was sincere, caring and tough.
Ray was masterful in getting me excited about boxing. More important, he got me excited to be and eager student and to strive to be the best I could be. He instilled a desire and a fire in my gut to strive for greatness and to please him as a coach.
I never loved boxing as much as he did, and still does. Martial Arts was my first love and always over shadowed boxing and other interests, still does:)
However, he was a great coach and began planting the seeds early and often.
Great Teachers are Master Motivators and Masters of Influence.
Either knowingly or not, the best teachers I have had the honor and joy of learning from, have always planted seeds of greatness, early and often. What's the lesson here?
When you first meet a prospective new student, it's important to plant the seeds early and often. What seeds am I referring to? For some, it may be the seeds of becoming a Black Belt in your system. For others, it may be the planting the seeds of become great at the art you share.
In Jiu Jitsu, rarely is the belt used as the primary motivator. Professor Pedro Valente of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy in Miami, does a great job of making you want to become more proficient at the art of Jiu Jitsu. His passion for Jiu Jitsu and his love for teaching is very contagious.
Do you and your staff plant the seeds of greatness early and often?
Are you in the habit of planting the seeds? Are you training yourself and your instructors to give your students a vision of their future? Do you attempt to get someone excited about their own potential as a Martial Arts student?
In our system, we focus early and often, on the goal of becoming a Black Belt Champion. The seeds are planted in the very first lesson and there are frequent mat chats, preframes and reminders that are designed to get the student, and keep the student excited about the goal of becoming a Black Belt in our system.
It's not just the belt, it's the lifestyle of a Black Belt Champion.
The commitment to a healthy, active and fit lifestyle, the mind set of respecting yourself and others. The optimistic approach to constantly setting goals for yourself, in the Martial Arts and in all aspects of your life.
For kids, we offer an exciting and well structured activity that encompasses physical fitness, mental discipline and emotional consistency. All great benefits, that will only be achieved and enjoyed by those that we are successful at influencing to commit to attaining them.
For adults, we have a safe, highly effective system for learning valuable skills of self defense, while getting themselves into the best shape of their life. Moms, Dads and single adults that love being involved with our team. Adults that are seeking a positive and exciting way to relieve stress, while gaining some inspiration and coaching to improve their life.
Again, all great benefits and much needed, considering some of the ills of today's society. Only to be enjoyed by those we attract and retain in our program. How do we do this?
By planting the seeds of greatness, early and often, you will be encouraging people to become better and to go for it. You will be planting seeds of a positive expectancy that some people don't even have in themselves.
S.O.P.=>Standard Operating Procedures
Make it your S.O.P. to plant the seeds, early and often, class by class, night by night. Everyday, every week...do this and you'll attract more and retain more students than ever before. Osu!
Staff Training Tip: How do you eliminate weak links?
The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. A successful dojo is a powerful example of great team work in action. Usually two or more dedicated people that are passionate about the Martial Arts and eager to turn their favorite hobby into a full time profession.
How do you eliminate weak links in your team?
There are many areas you need to focus on to eliminate weak links in a small team.
We'll discuss three very important points in this article.
First, be very selective in your hiring and interviewing process. I always encourage my team leaders to keep an on going Bench "10" list of students they are working with to see if one may have the potential to become a future staff members.
It's easy to hire...tough to fire.
Second. Train, train, train. You've heard it before and you'll hear again and again. We have a responsibility to train our staff to be the best they can be in their roles and goals in the dojo. Training is daily and never ends. You and I still need to be trained, therefor, our staff needs to be trained.
Finally, feedback creates champions. The more you give, the more you get. Having strong communications and feedback between you and your staff is vital to strong relations that leads to high morale and peak performance.
I love my team and love helping them grow and improve, as professionals and as people. Mr. Cokinos has always stressed that it is the owners responsibility to properly educate and compensate, as well as prepare them for a better future.
It is a very rewarding experience to watch someone grow from a White Belt raw recruit into a Black Belt professional. Plant the seeds of greatness, early and often, and watch the Champions that grow before your eyes in your dojo.
Want to learn more about building a Dream Team?
Would you like to have systems in place for developing a strong bench of talented and eager Black Belts that would love to teach the Martial Arts for a profession?
Then, make plans now to attend our upcoming Warriors Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale.
The MAUI Mentoring Team is ready to host and help you grow to the next level.
Our track record speaks for itself.
Visit our web site and see some of the people that are members of our team. You will see some of the current Super Stars and many up and coming Stars of the Future.
Martial Arts University International is an EFC member exclusive program. If you are currently a member of EFC and would like to receive more information, call or drop us an e-mail.
If you are not a member of EFC...why not? It's the greatest network on the planet.
Give us a call or drop us an e-mail and we can get you started!
Let's team up to make great things happen in the Martial Arts!
Osu,
Kyoshi
Steve LaVallee
Chief Master Instructor
www.USABLACKBELTCHAMPIONS.com
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