Ikigai
Ikigai is one’s reason for being, which in principle is the convergence of one’s personal passions, beliefs, values, and vocation: those who follow the concept of ikigai undertake the activities of their life with willingness and a satisfying sense of meaning.
I am blessed indeed, because I live ikigai every day.
I pray you do, have or will too.
And, to my students, Sensei, team and tribe; thank you.
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
What’s Important Next (WIN)
Congratulations to all my students who leveled up last week, rather to your next kyu rank (those colorful belts up to black) or to Certified Blackbelt (1st Degree), Blackbelt Leader (2nd Degree); this particular test cycle had no Senior Blackbelts (3rd degree) or Masters (4th and above)…
But I want you to know that I am SUPER PROUD OF YOU!
As I said at the graduation ceremony Saturday, you should be super proud of yourself for how far you have come….
AND HUNGRY for your next goal(s)!
The rest of this email is exactly the same as the one I sent to my students {FIRST-NAME}.
But, as you havn’t started yet, you WIN is different!
Step One is to get started on your 2 week free trial and orientation program!
Click here to take that first important step towards your Blackbelt!
So here’s what’s important next- your WIN:
1. Set your next short term goal, which is your next belt. I’ll include a belt chart for you at the bottom of this email in case you’re wondering.
Then get to work on that goal! Train like a Blackbelt! That means coming to 2-3 classes per week and giving your very best every time! Practice at home doesn’t hurt either, and of course you can earn stripes and a medal at the next graduation just for doing that! More importantly, you get good! 😉
2. Set your mid-term goals. These can (and should) include graduating to the next level, i.e. from freshman to sophomore year- and congrats to all of you who did this cycle! The rest of you, figure out when that next milestone is, and set the goal, apply your VISION towards it and your Discipline towards making it happen!
Do the same with the mid-term goal of getting your probationary Blackbelt!
That’s literally half-way to the Blackbelt Leader (2nd Degree) goal that is the target of every Blackbelt Leadership student!
Congrats to all of you who just took that step too!
And I can’t wait to celebrate with the rest of you!
3. Other WINs include, first and foremost, to qualify for and begin the Blackbelt Leadership journey!
This is the best time to do so if you haven’t yet!
Ask Sensei Allie or Sensei John how to qualify if you haven’t started the process.
And if you are already on that track, towards becoming a confident and competent Blackbelt Leader, priority one of course is to refer to #1 and 2!
But you may also set some other goals and WINs along the way:
1. Perhaps you can start the Certified Instructor Training (CIT) program towards becoming a Sensei.
2. or set a new goal to become a Master!
3. Or perhaps some outside goals along the way: better diet, better grades, applying the Blackbelt Leadership principles to your work and family.
Whatever your goals and WINs are, remember- Team KMMA and I are here to help you!
It’s what we do.
It’s our Ikigai.
Thank you!
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