Discipline
TampaKravMaga.com
CHAPTER 3
Foundations Superpower #3: DISCIPLINE
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11
Discipline, like so many of our Blackbelt Excellences, is a super power.
I call discipline a superpower for two chief reasons:
- It carries with it the ability to significantly improve one’s own life and also the lives of those around us and;
- It is a very rare power amongst most, but a very common one in people that produce superior results.
As a society at large we most often discuss the subject of discipline as pertains to that of a child; and it is true that it is important to begin the development of this power early. It is also true, however, that we need to exercise discipline at every stage of our life and, in fact, the presence or absence of this power in adulthood is one of the most significant indicators of the results we will achieve.
KMMA instructors of course give this lesson as is appropriate for the specific audience in the academy. When we are teaching to the kids or juniors, we discuss discipline in the way of demonstrating obedience and language of respect to parents and teachers, and also the application of discipline to the student’s lessons, at school and at the dojo, towards the accomplishment of the desired goal- i.e. better grades at school and the Blackbelt or next degree or major goal in the martial arts.
It is this latter understanding of discipline that of course applies to us in our adult lives. Rather speaking about our career, or fitness, or finance, or relationships or any other of the many “adulting” things that we do, our discipline, or lack thereof, moves us closer or further away from our desired goals daily. I can personally attest to evidence of both in my own life; instances in which I successfully applied discipline and accomplished great things, and others in which I did not, and failed as greatly. Of course I have seen this distinction in hundreds of students over the last many years too. Those that develop Discipline almost always become Blackbelts; I am sure they most often achieve the rest of their goals too. The magic of Discipline works for almost everything.
The great news is that we are not destined to live in our pasts. We can never go back and change it, but we can begin to apply the superpower of Discipline to get from where we are to where we want to be. The first step is understanding the mechanism by which Discipline, or lack of it, moves us closer or further from our goals; the second one is developing and then applying habits of Discipline that propel us where we want to go.
The reason that the attribute of discipline is so very relevant to our success and failure is because neither generally happens very quickly. With a few exceptions wherein someone gets unusually lucky or blessed, as in a lottery winner, or something terrible happens totally outside the realm of one’s control, as in a freak and terminal accident, our successes and failures happen a little bit at a time, over a long time. We don’t get instantly fat or instantly fit, instantly wealthy or instantly broke, instantly educated or instantly not, nor instantly successful in business, relationship or any other worthy thing. The truth, while not popular today, is that success happens slowly, like crockpot cooking, not quickly like a microwave. Small positive actions, done consistently over time, move us towards what we want; while small negative actions push us further away. It’s the very small incremental nature of this truth that makes it so illusive and insidious. We don’t notice the effects immediately and, therefore, often don’t take consistent enough positive action to create the desired results nor recognize and control the bad ones to curtail their destruction.
This is where discipline comes in. As Hebrews 12:11 says “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Discipline produces health. Discipline produces financial peace. Discipline produces strong relationships and discipline prepares us for the unexpected, as is the example of our discipline in training self defense skills to prepare for a day we hope will never come.
If you are like me, pondering on this issue will bring many emotions. At once I am convinced about areas I need to do better and reminded that the best is yet ahead. Like you with yours, only I have the power, with God’s help and blessing, to create the future I want for myself and those I love. Through the application of Discipline in my own life, and my best attempt to create the same in my children and those that I lead, I create my future.
How about you? In what areas do you need more discipline in your life? What disciplines could you start today that you will thank yourself for this time next year? What about for your kids or those you mentor? Answer these important questions and then get started. Every worthwhile goal is accomplished the same way as earning a Blackbelt- one class, one week, one month and one belt at a time. Repeat consistently, with discipline, and before you know it, you’ll be a Blackbelt Leader too!
* this is the intro part to chapter 3 of my new book, Meditations On Mastery Volume One, Developing Your Superpower.
It should be published soon! (I’m waiting patiently!)
If you’d like more info on the book as it’s released, just drop your name and email here and i’ll keep you posted!
Discipline is just one of the Superpowers we develop at KMMA and that will be featured on our Martial Arts & Leadership Summer Camps this year!
Register for a 2 week free trial!
———————————————————————————————————————-
TampaKravMaga.com and Krav Maga Martial Arts have been empowering lives through the martial arts in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years!
Founded in 2000 by Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo, a 7th degree Black Belt and Sr. Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts and Karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for their age group – for school excellence and later success in life.
Krav Maga Martial Arts Adult Krav Maga training is a complete adult self defense, fitness, and conditioning program for adults who want to learn real world self defense, lose weight, and/or get (and stay in shape).
If you have any questions about our program, or would like to go ahead redeem your 2 weeks FREE, you can call us anytime at 813-948-4844 or visit our Krav Maga Martial Arts website.
Joining KMMA has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for Cassidy. I spent a year researching different schools and disciplines for Martial Arts, and on the recommendation of a dear friend of my father’s, I found KMMA. The website drew me in, the curriculum and leadership skills discussed were amazing, and something you don’t find everywhere. To be honest, I hadn’t found them in any of the other local dojos/disciplines. Our intro session confirmed what the website had promised.
Sensei Lydia, then Senpai Lydia taught that into session with such energy and positivity that Cassidy fell in love with the art.
Since then, we have seen an improvement in her. She has never been diagnosed with ADHD, however she does show some classic symptoms, and this program is helping her develop coping skills to retrain how she interacted with the world. She is more independent in school work and chores. Her self discipline has increased, and she is cleaning up around the house without prompting. Which proves that the Character Work Sheets for stripes really does flow into creating good habits overall.
She sees, every class, what this dedication will lead to, because she gets to watch the leadership/CIT students that came before her climb the ranks. She saw Senpai Lydia become Sensei Lydia, and she sees Sensei Ayden, only a few years older than her succeeding at both KM and in life.
She is more respectful of those around her. Cassidy is also less likely to find fault and more likely to see places to complement others because of the leadership program.
Thank you, Grandmaster and team- Shihan Carolyn, Sensei’s Allie, James, John, Ayden, Lydia, Winston and Charlie, you have my eternal gratitude for all you have done and continue to do for Cassidy and the entire KMMA family.
Brin Jackson
KMMA has been an amazing experience, not only for me but my 8-year old son as well!
Through learning essential techniques for self-defense, I have seen a steady increase in my son’s focus, attitude, and respect for others as well as himself. The entire staff at KMMA are extremely welcoming and very eager to help elevate students of all ages and experience levels.
In my opinion, some dojos can be a little overwhelming or intimidating, but not KMMA. The staff does a great job of immediately making you feel included as a part of the family. Through personal experience, I would recommend the KMMA Leadership program as it continues to help me excel in my career with each Leadership seminar, I take away key factors in being a better, more balanced employee, father, husband, role-model and person all together.
If you are interested in martial arts, would like to improve yourself physically and mentally, help your child do better in school and at home and have fun while learning the art of self-defense, look no further than KMMA!
John Warwick, KMMA 1st Degree Certified Blackbelt and Father of Probationary Blackbelt Maddon Warwick
KMMA instructors and staff have been amazing! You can tell GrandMasters’ passion and truly genuine nature. When you have owners/instructors that engage with their students it makes a world of difference. All the instructors are absolutely amazing with my daughter! Their patience and encouragement helped her achieve her next goal. The atmosphere is family and the students are respectful, well rounded, and encouraging. I highly recommend and am looking forward to seeing my daughter achieve her goals with the leadership, encouragement, patience, respect, and genuine care that this environment provides.
Melissa Bretz, parent of Abigail, KMMA Leadership Student and Future KMMA Blackbelt
Mental Health Professional
Not only are we having fun learning self defense but we are getting in great shape doing so. Instructors are always friendly and willing to go the extra mile. Classes are all ages so the whole family can travel the path to black belt together. You even get a free two week trial so you’ve got nothing to lose in coming to check it out.
Matt Kay, KMMA Blackbelt Leadership Student and Blackbelt Candidate, husband of KMMA Blackbelt Candidate Laura and father of KMMA Blackbelt Candidate Sammy
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commissioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000. Today I continue to train, learn, sow and grow under the mentorship of World Champion Grandmaster Jeff Smith, who regularly visits the academy to help sow into my teams and students as well.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes BLVD and now our new location in 8836 US 19, Port Richey! Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Port Richey and surrounding areas.
See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com