Do what you love

The last couple of days I spent all my time on the mat, doing what I love.

Check out some of the pics on my personal facebook page.

My favorite part of my job is sowing into students: youth and families, beginners and Sensei; when I am on the mat teaching, I am most living my purpose.

Don’t get me wrong- I have to do a lot of behind stage activity every day to keep the business thriving.

Like former Success Magazine publisher Darren Hardy says in The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, 80-90% of what anyone has to do in their vocation is not what they most love to do, nor is it the front of stage excitement that makes them famous. He uses Sir Richard Branson and Oprah Winfrey as examples, sharing some of the tedious and mundane tasks each must do daily in addition to the part that we see.

I think this clarification is relevant and that’s it is irresponsible to tell young people to “do what you love” in the absence of the reality;

much of what you must do, to be successful at doing the thing you love to do, is not fun.

When we don’t share this truth, we set them up chasing something that doesn’t actually exist and fail to prepare them for success in figuring out who they want to be when they grow up. (At the youngest ages let them dream and reinforce that they can be anything and do anything they want- because they are smart and gifted and special). In the earliest formative ages, this is most important.

But, as children grow into adolescent years and towards adulthood they must also learn work ethic, discipline and other skills that prepare them for success in what they ultimately decide to do in life.

The 6 Foundational Superpowers that I discuss in my book and teach in my leadership academy are a great start.

They are Focus, Respect, Discipline, Confidence, Gratitude and Vision.

But the 7th chapter of the same book is about discovering and developing your own superpowers.

I DO believe that this is the first step towards realizing what we are called to do and living a life that, by answering that call, is the happiest and most productive life we can lead.

I read this passage in a Bible study this morning, that I think totally supports the belief:

Nothing will steal our strength like living lives we do not love. The way we store energy is through our desires, values, passions, hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and ultimately our greatest capacity for energy storage is through what we love.

If getting up in the morning is a struggle and you find yourself lacking the energy to engage life fully, you can be certain that you are not living the life you were created to live. The warrior knows their energy flows out of their passions, that their passion must flow out of love, that it is love that gives them ultimate joy, and that it is joy in which they find their strength.

     Erwin Raphael MacManis

     The Way of The Warrior

So, to wrap today’s message up somewhat succinctly, we need to develop the foundational attributes of success early and often, as they will be paramount to whatever we’re called to do.

But then we do need to discover that thing that makes us feel alive, that inspires us, energizes us and rewards us and others.

For me, it’s teaching and, specifically, my mission of preparing to live and empowering to lead.

I have survived 20+ years of business in spite of failures, mistakes, downturns, pandemics and other trials and tribulations because I am doing the work God called me to do.

Because I am passionate about it. I believe in it.

I am inspired and empowered by it as I inspire and empower others.

I share this because there is something like that for you too.

Have you found it yet?

If yes, congratulations!

If not, I pray you do.  If you’d like my help, check out my author site at ShihanSteve.com or my academy page at TampaKravMaga.com, or simply reply to this email.

Prepare To Live!

Empower To Lead!

Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo

Author, MBA & 7th Degree Blackbelt

Founder & Chief Master Instructor,

Krav Maga Martial Arts

www.TampaKravMaga.com

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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 813-547-6368 or visit our Krav Maga Martial Arts website.

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 commisioned 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.

The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding areas.

Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com