Dôkeshi no Michi
Recently, a friend of mine asked me to what I would attribute the success of my dojo (my martial arts and leadership academy- KMMA) over the last few years, and especially in the last couple, since the pandemic.
Specifically, my friend, who is a leader in the martial arts industry, wanted to know how our retention is so much better than the industry norm.
I had to think about it, because many of the things that make us exemplary aren’t all that new.
We have an amazing culture, where students as well as Sensei are encouraging and empowering, instead of critical- positive instead of negative.
But that’s been true of our dojo for most of the 23 years that we’ve been in business.
We have an amazing Blackbelt Leadership Program.
And granted, while I have put an above average focus on the art and science of leadership for decades now, our latest evolutions of our Blackbelt Leadership Program are second to none.
I personally believe that it is the focus on taking our leadership lessons out of the dojo and into the world that make our program so special.
We are producing not just successful martial artists, but successful human beings, winning at life.
We develop confident and competent Blackbelt Leaders, prepared to survive and thrive in any situation, but also empowered to lead.
We teach them to be successful in all things…
Another factor in our success is that we practice what we teach, in all things really, but particularly as pertains to this point, regarding CANI and Kaizen.
CANI and Kaizen refer to the habit of constant and neverending improvement.
We evaluate what we do on a regular and consistent basis, double down on the things we do well and work to do them even better, and also work to improve in every area we identify as important for improvement.
We use a technique called “PARI” wherein we plan, act, review and improve.
We teach it to our students and we practice what we teach.
That is definitely one of our “secrets” of success…
But if I had to put my finger on the one most important secret to our improved success over the last few years, it’s been a greater focus on goal setting.
Of course, this is one of those truths that are as relevant for business, fitness, finance, or any area of life you want to improve in; and, thus, the lesson that you can apply wherever and whoever you are, for yourself and with whoever you happen to lead.
And it’s also what I think I’ll tell my friend, after more careful consideration, that is the single most important answer to his question.
We teach our students to set and achieve great goals.
We teach them to do it and how to do it– a skill that helps them become confident and competent Blackbelt Leaders and that they can apply again and again to every single area of their lives.
And, in this too, we practice what we teach.
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
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