Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Photo by Michael Holler
In this week’s edition of The Cue, I touched on the idea of going back to your childhood to get inspiration for what gets you energized. By the way, if you aren’t on the list yet, I suggest you sign up here.
I’ve taken the advice of observing what you were passionate about in your childhood to heart. I started practicing Martial Arts when I was about 11 years old. Recently I’ve rekindled my Tae Kwon Do practice.
From Shy Scrawny Kid to Confident Black Belt
I remember first trying out Tae Kwon Do and being worried about my ability to do it. One of the reasons I went ahead with Tae Kwon Do is that the instructor was a petite woman, who I could identify with.
Since a lot of us learn by imitating others, I quickly started to imitate my teacher’s movements. I even yelled like her, on each of my movements.
Copying her helped me to master the movements of Tae Kwon Do. But somewhere along the way, it also helped me to become more confident.
Once I had learned the movements, they were mine. I was the one remembering the patterns, performing a self-defense technique, and breaking a board.
I received my first degree black belt when I was 16 years old.
It’s Not What Others Think of You
I still remember the day that I tested for my black belt. My teacher’s teacher, a Master instructor who had watched me evolve said the following:
“Miss Lussier, I never thought you would make it this far, but you did it. Congratulations.”
If I had started out knowing that someone like our Master instructor didn’t think I could make it would have crushed my confidence. By the time I was ready for my black belt, other people’s judgements and perceptions could not affect me on the same level anymore.
Here I am today challenging myself by not letting what other people think slow me down.
Photo by Peter D.
All Of This To Say…
I’m now back into Tae Kwon Do, after a long break while I was gone to University. I’ve been practicing and helping to teach since February.
Today is another Black Belt testing, and although I’m just going for my maintenance test, I remember what it was like to be testing for my black belt.
So I am bringing tons of fruits and veggies, and I’m ready to cheer my friends and fellow black belts on. It’s not what others think of you, but when you get encouragement, everything just runs more smoothly.
** Have you ever done martial arts or other sports that allowed you to go beyond other people’s perceptions, or even your own perception of yourself? Share in the comments! **
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
Comments
05.18.09
Modern Army Combatives!! Gave the same feeling. Congrats on the black belt - that's an accomplishment most of us can only dream of
05.18.09
Hey Nathalie,
Great post. I got my black belt in Tae Kwon Do back in the 5th grade. I stopped training around my freshman year of high school.
Letely I've been thinking about getting back into it ... rekindling some of the passions I had as a kid. Thanks for the reminder.
The martial arts are so incredible. It's a great way to train the body and the mind. It gave me a lot as a child, I'm interested to see if I get the same value as an adult.
-RP
05.23.09
Hi Nathalie!
I'm a martial artist too, I've been training Kung Fu for 3 years now. I'm just in the middle of the way to get the black belt, and it's hard! So, congrats on your black belt!
Kung Fu has also taught me a lot for my life... my teacher (a woman too) has taught me to be persistent, to have strength to overcome all kind of obstacles - even those that seem impossible!
Hope you continue your way in tae kwon do =)
08.07.09
Hey. Nice post! I'm a Muay Thai practitioner and I have learn TKD before when I'm in the Singapore Army.
@Taisa Honesko Staub@ Your teacher is right! Martial arts has taught me to push on to explore unkown ground. Things that I always thought impossible. I strenght my body and my mind. Helps me focus and to reach my goal faster and easier.
Regards,
Lamy
Martial Art Training
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
|
|
|
