​When we say that we test you based on your ability and don’t compare you to anyone else, we don’t mean it as a reassurance.  We mean it as a challenge.  What is YOUR black belt effort?  How far will YOU push yourself?  What does it mean to YOU to earn your black belt?  To become a master?

It doesn’t happen overnight.  One night’s training is not enough to find your full potential.  It takes continuous hard work – not just one night of your best effort.  It’s not about just mastering one kick or one move.  It’s EVERYTHING.  It’s EVERY NIGHT, one day after another, giving it your best effort to reach your black belt level and beyond.

It’s also not just about what you do in the dojang.  It’s not just about your kicks and your punches.  It’s about how you treat people – at home, at school, at work.  It’s about challenging yourself to give that black belt effort every second of every day in everything that you do.

It’s deciding that you’re not content to be as you are.  It’s making the commitment that you’re going to stick it out until your goals have been achieved rather than being just one of those people who simply “did” martial arts once.  It’s deciding that you’re not going to be one of those guys who quit.  It’s finding reasons to come to class rather than finding reasons to put it off.  It’s deciding, here and now, that you’re going to give it everything you have.  You’re not going to be average, mundane.  You’re going to be exceptional.

That’s what being a black belt is all about.

Now, I’m fired up about football season being right around the corner, so I’m going to let Ray Lewis wrap up this post for me with his inspiring speech to the Miami Hurricanes about the importance of effort.