Be Proactive

Let’s take a moment and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the most important belt a Martial Artist will ever earn.

Can you guess which one it is?

Yes!

White Belt, the rank of courage.

Without courage, we cannot cultivate competence.

Competence leads to confidence.

Unless it’s false.

White Belt is the foundation upon which all of the achievements in the Martial Arts are built.

Whenever I hear someone say, “Belts don’t matter”, I immediately know that they have never earned one.

It is useful to remind ourselves of the character qualities and behavioral attributes that lead to the “condition” of our lives. Participation in the Martial Arts requires a significant investment of time. Make sure to get a substantial return on that investment.

Have you read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Dr. Stephen R. Covey?

If not, I encourage you to read it.

If you have already read this masterpiece, I recommend that you read it again.

You will be glad you did.

In my opinion, it is the best Martial Arts textbook ever written.

Dr. Covey was not a Martial Artist.

I am sure that he did not write the book with the intention of it being a Martial Arts textbook.

Nevertheless, the principles that Dr. Covey presents in his book fit perfectly with our philosophy.

Let’s examine how accurately a 7 Belt ranking system corresponds with The 7 Habits.

White Belt…

Habit 1 - Be Proactive, is the habit of personal responsibility.

It essentially describes the idea that we can always choose.

By exercising courage in the moment of choice, we can respond effectively, rather than react ineffectively, to events in our lives.

When you earn your White Belt, you are choosing to become a student.

You are proactively approaching your training.

It is not brought to you.

You go to it.

It requires courage to initiate the pursuit of excellence.

You proactively become a “learner”, rather than waiting to be “taught.”

You can proactively smile and feel good, or you can wait until someone or something makes you smile in reaction.

You might be friendly on purpose, or you might wait until someone else initiates friendship, and then react to it.

You may naively attempt to be in a state of neutrality, waiting for a stimulus to respond to.

You may choose your primary state of consciousness, and have a greater influence on every circumstance of your life.

You can proactively choose a set of principles to live by, or you can drift through life without a sail.

Choosing a code of conduct is a great example of being proactive.

You are proactive, aren’t you?

You understand the concept of “Be Proactive.”

If so, you are not going to show up to a Color Belt Test and react to your classmates’ energy.

You will proactively set a very energetic and explosive pace.

Are you going to see what mood you are in when you wake up tomorrow and approach your day accordingly?

No!

You know better.

You will proactively decide your optimal emotional “zone” and make your day a productive one!

Think about the most effective, productive, and accomplished people in your life.

Are they primarily reactive or proactive?

Give it some thought.