Check out this article:

A Different Way to reach your goals!

for inspiration and ideas on how you can make 2012 a success!!

My hope is to begin using this blog again, as I have in the past, to spread the word on the great things that can be found in martial arts training.

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving!

Mr. Myers

Life also often works this way.  We are required to stop in our tracks, cease moving forward and simply “wait our turn”.  We hit roadblocks that cause us to have to pause, even if it is in a “position” that is not to our advantage.  Life, and the world we live in, has a way of challenging our mental and emotional balance, testing our “guard”, and pushing us in directions we may not want to go.

As that beginning student of the arts you often found that the Instructor was able to push you around the floor quite easily.  That even those techniques and skills you believed you had mastered still offered little in real stability or resistance to the slightest push.  What you were experiencing in those moments was a lack of “rooting”, you found out that your balance and your energy were not “centered”.  The next lessons you were likely taught by your Instructor probably had a lot to do with breathing and how to stand.  They were teaching you that your breathing effects your power and your ability to defeat an opposing force or strike.  The lessons were also meant to show you how to develop better balance and find footing and focus of the mind that would allow you to gain a better “grip” on the earth beneath your feet and keep you “rooted” to your spot.

These same lessons can, and probably should, be applied to life.  When challenges arise, can you “weather the storm” or will you be “blown away”?  Do you know how to use breathing to calm yourself and “find center” before you lose control.  Can you focus your mind and resist the forces that are pushing you to the edge?

While not exactly my style of writing, the book makes some wonderful points and really reinforced in my own life what I need to be focusing on as my personal improvement.  Empathy is one of the “huge words”, one of those giant ideas packed into a small and easily misunderstood word.  In her book, Mrs. Reynolds discusses the power of actually making emotional connection with a child who needs guidane and mentorship.  She discusses empathy and its importance in making the kind of connection that can have real power.

Whether it is your goal to become a great leader, or simply improve your personal and family relationships, empathy is your key.  Don’t be fooled, empathy is not easy, but it is well worth the effort.  Make connections – change lives!

I am also using my experiences as a business owner and Instructor to develop my leadership and “people” skills.  As I train myself and others in the arts I am reminded that there is so much more to learn than just the physical aspects. 

Getting involved in the martial arts can be a life changing – life improving – step if you let it be. As you learn the physical skills listen carefully to the training and look for ways you can apply it to other aspects of your life and your character.  Let the arts change who your are and how you behave for the better this year!

Here is just one example of how you can apply your physical training to the development of your character and leadership skills.

The real reason we all look forward to a new year.

G.K. Chesterton could serve as a source of inspiration for all of us as we set and pursue New Year’s Goals and Resolutions. 

 ”Whenever possible Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out.” – Time Magazine Book Reviews 

Success in reaching our goals often requires that we “turn them inside out” and seek to find new solutions.  Most of us have selected goals that are recycled, we have tried them before and somehow failed to reach them.  Make this year different.  Take those goals and “unpack” them.  Look at your larger goal and find the small changes that can help you reach them.  Look for the small steps that you will need to take along the way and write them down.  Then as you successfully take each of these smaller steps, and you will be successful, simply check them off of the list.  Each of these smaller victories will spur new growth and new success.  You will reach your bigger goal without even realizing you have arrived!

We are in this together.  While most of us have set goals that probably relate to a better year financially or physically, what we are really seeking is deeper happiness.  Set your goals based on what you know will refresh your soul and make you happy in a lasting way.

How can I guarantee this offer?  Because I have a simple principle to teach you, one that every telemarketer already knows.  A principle that, when applied to your life change efforts, will work miracles without giant effort on your part.

As a matter of fact, this idea REQUIRES that you do NOT make big changes.  Instead, think SMALL.

Can you give just 30 minutes a day to your goals for 2011?  New Year’s Resolutions often fail because they require that we make large changes in our behaviors and habits over very short periods of time.  Instead I encourage you to implement change slowly, methodically, with intention and caution.

Making changes in who we are, improving our lives, is much like investing.  How many times have you heard stories of people winning the lottery only to be broke within a few years.  How many professional athletes find themselves with nearly nothing left of the millions they earned as players shortly after they retire from the sport?  These people find their money gone quickly because it was added to their accounts quickly and without a plan of how to use it wisely.  Successful investing strategy is a process of adding a little at a time, regularly, over a long period of time.  By building your investments slowly, following a carefully thought out plan, you find success and the ability to retire and enjoy life.  The same is true of making changes in our lives.  If we attempt to change all at once our spirit rebels and we quickly revert to our previous ways.  If, on the other hand, we “invest” in ourselves a little each day over a longer period of time we find that the change “sticks” and that each little change builds on itself much like interest on our invested money.

So, start small and invest just 30 minutes a day to your goals.  Or if your goals are focused on weight loss and dietary changes, make them slowly, let them become a natural part of how you think and live. 

I did say there was an invitation hanging out there, and here it is…

If you are like most people it takes between 14 and 21 days to form a habit. (14 for bad ones and 21 for good ones!) Let this blog be a help for you as you attempt develop new, better, healthier habits.  Post your goals here and use this as a place to go for support.  I will even send you a reminder email in a few weeks if you leave me an email at our facebook page (Pilsung ATA Martial Arts).

Instead of setting goals that are based on restriction of action and self-control rooted in deprivation, I chosen to embark on a path of growth.

When I looked at my 2010 I realized that there were 9 areas of my life that held the keys to success (or in some cases failure).  If you look back over the past year you are likely to be able to identify a similar set of keys.  Focus on these basic areas of your life and look for ways to promote growth and development, avoid placing restrictions on yourself. 

Here are the 9 Areas that I identified as “needing growth” in my life:

Personal Outlook – I found that 2010 was the “year of the pesimist” for me, and it really didn’t work for me.

Leadership – While my skills grew, I could have done better.  I wasn’t as diligent in my efforts to grow as a leader as I needed to be for success.

Physical Conditioning – I was successful in dropping over 30 pounds of fat, but in the final result I did not develop the stamina, strength, speed, or flexibility that I desired.

Master Instructor Habits – Here I am jumping the gun a bit.  I will not be eligible for the title of Master Instructor for nearly 12 years, but the habits should be developed now.

Martial Arts - I was not as faithful to my personal practice and development as I should have been last year.  I know I missed opportunities, but not this year!

Business – I am a business owner.  I need to make sure I behave like one and think like one.  If I want the school to become great I have to start making it so!

Community - I did a “so-so” job of being involved in my community last year.  Time to do better.  It is my job as a martial artist and human being to do as much as I can to build a stronger community.

Relationships - 2010 was the year of “too damned busy”.  I did things instead of focusing on building relationships and it is obvious that this wasn’t the wisest of choices. 

Spiritual – This actually began early last year, but I can do better. 

So, what are your areas?  You do not need to have nine, fewer may be better.  (I may find that I will need to reduce and consolidate, but I want to make sure I give myself the best chance for success!)

I will be sharing parts of my journey as I go.  Please feel free to comment and let everyone know how you are doing on your journey to greatness this year!

That’s right folks, we are counting down to the beginning of a brand new year.  Time for celebrations, time for parties, time to look forward to what is to come.

My wish for you is that you are able to make 2011 a “year of personal greatness”! 

So, set your goals, make your resolutions, and keep your eyes focused on achieving greatness in the coming year. Look back at 2010 and remember how things went.  Look to both your highs and your lows, find the wisdom in the seemingly random events of last year.  Use your past to fuel your future success.

For more of my ramblings on the coming year… 

and the sign says “Achieving Personal Victory through Martial Arts”

Major change can be painful.  It is never easy, but then most things we do in life, when they are really worth it – are not easy. 

I have spent the last week contemplating my 2010 and all the things it has taught me.  While I cannot say it has been a “fun” year, I can certainly claim it to have been of great benefit.  Now I believe I am ready to forge ahead and make 2011 a spectacular year. 

I have set some personal goals.  I have set some professional goals.  Have you?

What have you learned from the past 365 days of your life?  Every day should be a learning experience.  What wisdom has each of your days brought to you? Lets use the next 35 hours to prepare ourselves for success and living life to the fullest in the coming year. 

What is one thing you can improve upon in your:

 * mental outlook and state?

* physical condition?

* emotional condition?

* your relationships?

* your career?

* your community?

Here is your opportunity to take the “setbacks” of 2010 and turn them into the possibilities of 2011.  Take care as you review your year and prepare your resolutions for the coming New Year’s Eve celebrations.  Don’t let them become sources of failure or become things that feel as though they cause loss or confine you.  Instead seek to set goals that cause growth and promote freedom in your life.

For more inspiration and ideas on how to set community-building goals keep checking in on my other blogs and writings.  One of my goals for 2011 has already begun to take charge and lead me to a better way of life… my writing is already changing!  Check out :

http://www.examiner.com/martial-arts-in-indianapolis/doing-good-is-good-business