People have a problem with believing in themselves. We’ll watch American Idol, Americas got talent and many other shows and think, wow is that guy/girl good. We’ll sit there and think, I know I could do that or I know I could do that better or maybe, we think, wow I could never do that! If you can do it, then do it! That’s if it’s who you are. No one can talk you in to doing anything but yourself.
During my 30 yrs. of training in Shotokan karate and 23 yrs. as a school owner I’ve encountered all kinds of excuses. I love the saying, “There are reasons for failure but there are no excuses”. Many people just don’t believe they have what they take. Sometimes you have to say what the heck and go do it! In my own competition I’ve encountered disappointments but most of the time it’s because I didn’t properly prepare. Ahh! There’s the key preparation! It’s funny, the ones that study hard enough or in my case spend enough time in the dojo, are the ones that don’t make excuses because they go home with the trophies. Invariably, the ones who never miss a class and are working extra hard, holding that stance when I turn my back or are constantly in the lowest stance in class even though the student next to them may be much thinner and younger, they will not need excuses!
If you make excuses everyday, I can’t hold that stance, I swam today, it’s hot, it’s cold, I have a bad knee, I’m tired because I had ball practice, then that becomes part of you too! I can’t! Start demanding more of yourself, training harder, sweating harder, always trying to do you techniques faster and better than the person beside you, and a funny thing happens you don’t need any excuses anymore!!!!!
Remember, You are who you think you are!
Written by Perry Culver 6th dan Shotokan Karate
Culver Karate Club
Connellsville, Pa 15425
Ph: 724-626-5425
