Blog
Make no Mistake About it
Actuallyy it's ok to make mistakes – it's all part of the process of learning. Sometimes it’s good to remind students that martial arts teachers, can get a little emotional in front of the class, but for all good reason. It’s because they care and want the students to learn and get results, which is their form of gratification. On the other
hand, if they didn’t care, they would probably ‘turn a blind eye’ to the things you do wrong, and that’s not good teaching.
As a young student I always looked forward to see if my Instructor would notice me in the classroom. Being corrected showed that my instructor cared. In a way it was disappointing when I didn’t mess up because my Instructor would just move onto the next person. In a weird sort of way I wanted to make mistakes, just so somebody can show me what to do.
But students need to learn to be their own teachers by trying to solve the little obstacles that stand in the way of reaching their target or next level. What better way to learn and progress by trying to sort things out yourself. A teacher is like the driving instructor next to you in the passenger seat observing and correcting your mistakes but you are actually in control of the vehicle. With experience you become more independent; this will happen with the help of the Teacher. Make no mistake about it.
GA
Getting Things Done
What I was thinking today is that you can get a lot of things done in a day with the correct mindset. Tim and John came over this morning to pick up my trophies and medals (from my prize fighting days) and take to the school. We then went and picked up a drink fridge, organised by Peter (Mr Strongman), from his house and took it to the school and then battled our way up the stairs to the dojo. That was a real test for the four of us but 'she' now sets off the decor. We dusted all the trophies and placed them on display (they look good near the drink fridge).
After a bit of rest at home, I had finished off the Black Belt Leadership manual, then got the lawnmower out and chopped up the grass. I also got to see a couple of 2 X 'Two and a Half Men' repeats and here i am now doing a blog. There was more but I won't bore you any further with other stuff. The point is not to stagnate and use excuses for not getting things done. Call it the mindset of a martial artist. There's one more to add to that mindset. Young Jake Mountford turned up to training yesterday with his foot in a walking boot and crutches. I managed to get a picture of him in the back of the room. Good mindset, this one.
GA
The Countdown
After all these years we are only 9 days from a full time centre which can now accommodate a number of martial arts and classes. Our main drive was a professional cente for our students, and we have been searching for a premises, over the last 3 months, which would be suitable, affordable and close enough from the Belmore location. We have done well considering only 800 metres away from the Belmore South Public School which has been operating there over the last 22 years.
This centre is for all Budoshinkai students and the best compliment you can give to us is recommend our school to others. Victor, John, Tim and I have been working extremely hard behind the scenes, and I should mention a special thanks to George Asimakopoulos, and his son, Peter (Senior Brown Belt), for coming down and giving us a hand today.
Many other martial arts instructors are astounded with the set up of the new place and wish they could also have two training areas. This place is going to be good and there are many things to come out of this. The countdown has already commenced; we move in Tuesday 8/2/11. There will be a grand opening (date TBA) in which Kyoshi Richard Norton will be down here for, includng a stack of other Martial Arts Masters from all styles, so it is going to be a big one.
GA