My wife often uses the phrase, don’t be a fizzer. She’s a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate and one of my assistant instructors at Culver Karate Club in Connellsville. When she refers to someone as a fizzer, she means that they don’t finish what they start or is someone who gets almost there and walks away.
Imagine being in the desert and someone saying just a little farther and we’ll get some water and they say naw, I’ll just stop right here and then they never get up. Many times in life we get so close to being successful and then just stop. I’ve seen kids who’ve trained and trained in football, wrestling or some other sports or activities and then get a chance for a scholarship or a chance to play on a prestigious team and then just quit because they are bored or tired of it.
I’ve had white belts tell me that they are definitely going to train till the receive black belt or that they will never quit and soon after that they quit coming. What changed? Maybe they suddenly realized not everything would come easy. Maybe they weren’t happy with the outcome of their first test, tournament or whatever.
Karate has many challenges and so does life and we don’t always like what some of the outcomes tell us about ourselves. The important thing is what does your response to adversitiy tell you about yourself. Don’t make excuses, make reasons to drive on. I didn’t get a yellow belt soon enough is not a reason to quit, it a reason to get determined.
I once was told that a student had quit because I didn’t give them their Black Belt. Hmmmm? Of all the things that I’ve ever given to someone Black Belt is not one of them, that’s something that you just have to earn.
Anything of value in life is much like the Karate Black Belt. No one is going to give it to you! Your have to earn it. Don’t get almost to your goal and step aside!
Don’t be a Fizzer!
Written by Perry Culver 6th dan Shotokan Karate
Culver Karate Club
Connellsville, Pa 15425
Ph: 724-626-5425
