Karate – I practice what I teach. Every day.
I remember with great fondness some of the first words my inspirational Karate Sensei (coach) said to me […In here, there is no such thing as “I can’t”, instead we say “I will try”…]
We all have a choice in our lives – how we respond to challenges. Whether we thrive, or simply survive, is up to us.
I’d like to share 5 of the ways in which karate helps me to become a better life coach….
1. Positivity…
How we deal with failure says a lot about who we are. When I failed my Black Belt in 2010 it felt like the world had caved in – my years of hard work seemed to count for nothing. Then I realised that this was a character test in itself, and I could choose to sink or swim! I’m a firm believer in the art of the possible, and I carried on training undeterred… I am now a Black Belt and will soon be undertaking my 3rd Dan grading. I believe in lifelong learning and personal development and that it’s never too late to learn new things. I challenge the people whom I coach to be the best that they can be.
2. Practice…
the exhilarating sense of personal achievement when body, mind and spirit are in complete harmony – uplifting and unstoppable. I have found my ‘sweet spot’ through commitment and practice, enabling me to bring enthusiasm and enjoyment into my coaching and in helping others to find theirs.
3. Build a solid core…
Knowing who I am and what I am capable of, pushing myself to reach the next goal and growing every step of the way. Karate gives me the inner strength to deal with life’s ups and downs and let my personal values shine through. Leadership, respect, guidance, integrity and moral values are an inherent part of who I am and I encourage those whom I coach to build their own strong core.
4. Discipline…
I choose a path which allows me to demonstrate my determination, dedication, hard work and the will to succeed. These characteristics enable me to coach dedicated business leaders and professionals who share the same commitment to their own goals, enabling a true coaching partnership and ensuring that my clients can flourish.
5. Breathe!
Karate teaches you to relax through ‘proper’ breathing… In this way you can focus, enjoy the journey, be ready and nimble, and allow your mind to be free of constraints – exactly how a good coach operates. When I breathe pure fresh air, I feel alive!
My natural ability to connect with people, listen, understand and empathise instils confidence and trust and my ability to engage with people shines through.
It’s how we choose to deal with life’s challenges that shapes our life story.
“Fight or flight”… it’s a choice we each have – what will yours be?
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