We learn to crawl before we walk.  We learn to walk before we run.  We learn to run before competing in track and field.  We don’t throw a newborn on the track expecting it to win the race…or even move for that matter.  This is obvious stuff.  Everything has order and structure to it to create progress.  We have to remember this when it comes to learning something new or adjusting our lives in anyway.  Yet, everyone nowadays seems to want the end result immediately.  Want to walk into my class room and forgo the balance, coordination and foundational skills and go right into learning a jump spinning hook kick?  Sure!  Would you like to purchase the neck brace and pain killers now or after you fall and injure yourself?

Want to lose 50 lbs of fat in a month? No problem, I have some pills for you and the number to a good doctor that will staple your stomach and give you liposuction. Then I’ll see you back in 3 months when you’ve gained it all back since you never learned to change the habits that got you there in the first place! One of my biggest frustrations is explaining to people that you can’t simply fly through martial arts and attain your black belt in quick fashion. Most have unrealistic expectations in this matter. Yes, I can teach you how to do that jump spin hook kick! Yes, I can help you lose 50 lbs! It’s your time-line that sucks!

So why do we have these expectations of “I want it and I want it now Daddy!”? Because we’re in an age where we CAN have most everything right here, right now. With enough money, you can get just about anything you want, and quickly. We also have these so called “Reality” TV shows that produce amazing results each and every week! Unfortunately, a TV week isn’t exactly the same as a real life week. Sorry, that weight loss show contestant didn’t just lose 20lbs in one week, it was more like 3, and they don’t have jobs to go to or kids to deal with. They live each day during the show doing nothing but working out and starving themselves among other unhealthy things just to produce a dramatic number for TV ratings. I know, it’s a shocker, TV isn’t real, who knew! Online shopping, over night delivery, cheap phone calls across the country, real time video chat, precooked and processed meals. It’s no wonder we’re lazy and want everything instantly; we’ve pretty well accomplished doing so in every way imaginable. But Martial Arts and Fitness has yet to make that leap into instant attainment. At least not until we develop the Matrix and can just download information to enhance our performance. But last I checked, that’s at least 5 years away, hah!

Sadly, specifically here in America, consumers want that instant attainment, even if it isn’t healthy or does no good. The end result seems to be more important than the journey, even it’s a false end result. I’ve been to far too many martial arts schools that all but sell black belts. Students flying through the ranks and being “awarded” their black belt in a years time simply because it brings in money and keeps students happy. So when a student enters my school and finds that it may take numerous years to earn a black belt, it’s an immediate disappointment for many.

So why does it take so long? Yes, I can teach you how to do that jump spin hook kick the first day. Yes, I can show you how to lose 20lbs in a week. I can also strap a rocket to that newborn baby’s back and have him cross the finish line first. I just won’t. It’s not safe, it accomplishes nothing, it’s not smart and it does no good whatsoever. Does losing that 20lbs in a week improve your health? Nope, most likely hurts it if it’s done that fast. Does learning that jump spin hook kick mean you can now defend yourself? Nope, you’ll most likely fall on your ass and get laughed at…right before you get pummeled.

It’s critical to build a base and a foundation when it comes to martial arts and fitness. In Martial arts we spend endless hours teaching a student body control, self awareness and balance before we throw you into a sparring match. In fitness we start with core exercises to build a strong spine and strong joints to support us while doing bigger exercises. All of this leads to less injuries, quicker progress in the long run, and sustainable results. Yes, it’s tougher and it takes longer, but it also means more to you when you accomplish your goals. This also means you’re less likely to give up and more likely to sustain your goals.

So stop strapping a rocket to your back attempting to get your infantile skill to the finish line, your just cheating yourself. Did you learn nothing from the turtle and the hare? Personally, I thought the rabbit just lost due to his cockiness, but still, the moral of the story is slow and steady wins the race!