Quick, Hide The Comics! (And Other Truths...)

Someone once told me, "Show me who you are hanging out with and tell me what you are reading, and I can tell you what your life will look like in the next year." (I thought to myself..."Quick. Hide the comic books!")

This person is a mentor to me in the area of Leadership Development, and I learned this from him: Two things that can determine who you are becoming in the near future are:

1. Who your friends are, and;
2. What you are putting in your head.

It's Friday, so it's time for a little weekend reflection and perhaps some thoughts (and if necessary, some action) toward change. Let's talk about #1. Here's a true story for you...

I was talking to a friend this morning whose teenage daughter was dating a guy that has a habit of smoking pot and stealing. His friends also have some pretty ugly habits. So, some of the closest people to her are people who engage in some shady activities, and guess what...? This week, the boyfriend was arrested for illegal activity and some other friends were tracked down by police and arrested due to their involvement, and the girl received several threats against her by some very unruly individuals who the police tracked through her emails, and they, too, ended up arrested and in jail. Not to mention, her parents lost a couple of days of work and a couple of nights of sleep this week, and the whole family is upset and will spend several days trying to get their lives back together. Then there will be court dates, more police work, and probably cost a bit of money just trying to get everything sorted out. The couple had been dating for about a year.

The short of it all: after a year of dating, the results were...Jail, threats, more jail, a lot of crying, physical threats, fear, financial and physical stress, broken heart...and did I mention crying? All because of a choice in friends. WOW!

Take a look around you. What is the character of the two or three people closest to you? What are their habits? Are they positive people, or do they regularly speak and act negatively? Given a choice in a difficult situation, would they seek to do what is right, or would they choose the "easy way out", or even what is wrong?

What influences us doesn't always just happen overnight. Most of the time, things are building up in our lives without us even realizing it, until one day we wake up and "WHACK!" the results of our habits (and most of the time, our friend's habits) begins to catch up to us.

You can relate to this as a Martial Artist in a good way. You start out as a white belt...you practice hard...you do your very best week in and week out...you develop habits through your practice, and next thing you know, you are a yellow belt...or a blue belt...or a red belt, or...yep, that's right - you find yourself testing for your Black Belt!

That didn't happen overnight, and it took the development of habits. Guess what else? You didn't do it alone! It took a team of people around you to help you get there.

So, whether it's in the dojo or in life...whose influencing you? Are they bringing you down or raising you up? Are they helping produce strong habits, or are they making questionable decisions? If you could look at the three people closest to you, would you want to be like them in a year? The reality is you may already "BE" who you are hanging out with. Are you satisfied with that?

There is always room to grow, and to become stronger, and develop better habits. My question to you is, "Who do you want to become, and what, or WHO, will it take to get there?"

Just think about it...and in the meantime,

Have An Extraordinary Weekend!
Doug McGannon
Kickgen username: KGDoug
http://www.twitter.com/dougmcgannon

Where Do You Think This Is Going...?

I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I need your opinion...

Over the past several years, I have personally witnessed major shifts in the world of Martial Arts: the explosion and regulation of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)...the heightened promotion of more "practical" self-defense, not just as an "addition" to "traditional" Martial Arts, but as completely new systems altogether. (By the way, when did the straight middle punch become non-practical? I've always thought it was a fairly practical technique.)

There also seems to be more access to extreme styles that utilize high-level acrobatics, demanding stunts, and near "super-human" feats. As well, it is surprisingly common to see the Martial Arts choreographed into movies and T.V. shows, in stage productions, and in advertising and marketing. In fact, to watch any type of media without the influence of Martial Arts is, well...strange. The arts are also being used as springboards to nutrition counseling, natural health therapies, and various types of coaching (from cross-training in other sports to business model coaching). I also see the arts actively taking center-stage on humanitarian and outreach-related concerns.

Oh, and let's not forget the WWW. Access to the Martial Arts through sites just like this...www.Kickgen.com...is shaping the landscape for generations to come.

This is where you come in...

In a positive way and with consideration, I would like to know your thoughts about the future of Martial Arts.

Where is the world of Martial Arts headed? What will it all look like in another 10 years? Will the "traditional" retain its influence? Will the "new stuff" wear off? What effect will the media have on Martial Arts, or better yet, how will the Martial Arts affect media?

As a "future thinker", I am most interested in what you think the world of Martial Arts will look like in the not-too-distant future. I am also interested in your opinion about what our roles and responsibilities, as Martial Artists, will be in shaping that future.

I realize I may be opening the proverbial "can" here, but I just can't help but think that this amazing community of people has something significant to say about the future of what we all love so dearly.

So...hold on just a moment...

O.K., I'm ready (I had to put my headgear on)...give it your best shot. Post your comments and join the conversation about our future.

In the meantime, I am going to practice my left side-kick, while I watch my two-year old perform his double-crescent-high-flippin-over-the-puppy-dog-kick, followed by simultaneously exacting a one-handed cartwheel and completing Bo Kata #23 that he just learned from the Internet last night... :)

Whew!

Have An Extraordinary Day!
Doug McGannon
Kickgen.com username: KGDoug
http://www.twitter.com/dougmcgannon

P.S. - Go ahead and post your comments and thoughts, and by the way, I must give credit where credit is due. My son Michael (Kickgen.com username: Wyvern) assisted me in the writing of this post. Click on over and give him a left hook-punch to the cabeza...er, I mean, show him some Kickgen.com LOVE!

It Really Is Absurd...But You Can Do Something About It!

"Absurdum est ut alios regat, qui seipsum regere nescit." -Latin Proverb

(Translation: It is absurd that a man should rule others, who cannot rule himself.)

Here is something for you to consider: As a Martial Artist, you are a Leader. You may not be a Black Belt...YET, and you may not be "in front" of people a lot, and you may not be in charge of much right now. You may not even consider yourself a "leader" in the ways most people think of a leader. Or maybe you are some of these things. Either way, think about it...

Martial Artists are traditionally known as people who are willing to endure great sacrifice in order to gain great achievement. Martial artists are seen as people who practice self-discipline, and have a great deal of confidence they can overcome just about anything set in front of them. Martial Artists are considered to be people who pursue extreme levels of physical fitness, high goals of living wisely, and have the ability to influence others with their actions.

Wait...wait...there it is...there's that word...

INFLUENCE!

The reality is that Leadership is Influence, and Influence begins with yourself. Whether you realize it or not, the moment you tell someone that you practice Martial Arts (no matter what style), you become a leader in that person's eyes. You don't even have to say anything. If someone finds out, guess what...that's right...they see you as a leader, as someone who lives life at a different level. When you "step on the mat", you have taken a step that many people only dream about. You've taken one more step than the next person, and that puts you "one step ahead"...in other words...you are in a position of Influence.

Here's the catch...

Are you able to "influence" yourself to get out there and practice the basics? Can you "influence" yourself to do the hard things, even when everybody else wants to do the easy things? Are you willing to do first what you would ask others to do (or do you just want to order people around)?

In order to lead others, you must lead yourself first. Whether you are training in your style, helping at home, getting work done at school, or wanting a promotion at work...Lead yourself to do whatever must be done, and others will follow naturally (and so will what you are working toward).

So, you may not be giving a speech today, but lead yourself and others will "listen" to your actions. You may not teach a class of thirty students a new self-defense form today, but lead yourself to learn that self-defense form to the best of your ability and others around you will want to follow your "lead" and excel too.

(Oh, and if you ARE leading that class today...you better have taken the time to lead yourself before you step in front of your students. You have a high level of influence, and that is a great responsibility.)

So, friend...train hard, take pride in the fact that you are a Martial Artist, and realize that you are a leader to others around you...but more importantly, you are a leader to YOURSELF first!

Have An Extraordinary Day!
Doug McGannon
Kickgen username: KGDoug
http://www.twitter.com/dougmcgannon

Kickgen.com Member Inspiration: Mrs. Lindy Woods

As a regular installment of this section of Kickgen.com, I would like to introduce members of the Kickgen.com community and highlight accomplishments, endeavors, and other inspirational events and activities. My intent here is to tap into some of the excitement going on in YOUR lives and share it with the rest of our community, so that we can celebrate together and cheer each other on.

Here is what I am asking of you in return: Post encouraging comments or thoughts, Add featured individuals as your friends (if you haven't already), and Use what is presented here to inspire you to become the very best you can be!

As I talk with more of you through Kickgen.com, I am convinced you are living extraordinary lives through your Martial Arts! This is an opportunity to build community through the amazing happenings taking place in your lives. I really have no limits as to what type of inspiration I am searching for...perhaps you have just earned your Yellow Belt, or competed well in a tournament, or you participated in a dynamic event to benefit someone in need in your hometown, or like today's inspirational Kickgen.com member...we have an opportunity to share in the excitement Mrs. Lindy Woods (known affectionately by her students as Mrs. Lindy) is experiencing with an upcoming promotion.

So sit up straight and prepare to be inspired through the good news "Mrs. Lindy" recently received from her Grandmaster, Mr. Chuck Norris, and the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF).

Name: Mrs. Lindy Woods (username: dunamiskarate)
Rank: 4th Degree Black Belt
Style: Chun Kuk Do (CKD)
School: Dunamis Karate, Ridgeland, SC
Point of Inspiration: Mrs. Lindy Woods was recently notified that she is eligible for promotion to 5th Degree (Masters Rank) Black Belt.

KGDoug: Can you give me details about your upcoming promotion and how it came about?

Mrs. Woods: First, there is a 4-year time limit between the 4th & 5th Degree promotions. I passed my physical test for my 4th Degree in June 2005. In addition to meeting the time requirements, I had to attend two separate classes ("Teacher, Trainer, Coach 501" & "502") and take a written test for each. I took the "501" course in the spring of 2006, and the "502" course in the summer of 2008, scoring ‘above passing’ grades on both tests.

KGDoug: And I'm sure there is a never-ending stream of learning and growing as a Martial Artist, a Leader, and as a person in the midst of all the extra rank-specific requirements. Who is involved in a process like this, and who approves and oversees eligibility requirements?

Mrs. Woods: Promotions to 5th Degree must be approved by the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) Board of Directors and Grand Master Chuck Norris. The “Masters Rank Induction Ceremony” will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV during the Chun Kuk Do International Training Conference. Grand Master Chuck Norris, CKD President Aaron Norris, and the entire UFAF Board of Directors will sit on stage as each inductee performs a 3-minute presentation. Then the Masters Rank Black Gi Top is ceremonially passed from board member to board member, then given to Grand Master Norris, who will place it on the newly promoted 5th Degree “Master of Chun Kuk Do.”

KGDoug: WOW! This has been a long and extensive process and it sounds like so many people and elements are involved. This reminds me that in order to reach new heights in anything, we must always be surrounded by a dedicated team of leaders, mentors, and encouragers. What are you currently doing to prepare for this event?

Mrs. Woods: Right now I am working on designing a Form demonstrating some advanced CKD skills as well as a One-step punching and Self-defense presentation.

KGDoug: How does this affect you as a school owner, an instructor, and a leader in the Martial Arts community?

Mrs. Woods: When you hear the term “Master” you expect greatness, not only from that individual, but also from the students who follow in their footsteps. As a school owner and instructor, I have always held my students to a high standard of excellence, but now that I will hold the rank of “Master” I feel an even greater responsibility to produce quality students and excellent Black Belts. I don’t want to be satisfied with where I am and the quality of my students. I want to constantly be moving forward!

KGDoug: Is there anyone you would like to mention/thank who has helped you get to this level?

Mrs. Woods: When I started training in 1993, my original instructors were Wayne & Jennie Cannon. I trained under them until 2001 when I opened my own school and soon after they quit teaching. Mr. Cannon was a great instructor and he inspired me to continue my training and never give up. Training under Mr. Cannon changed my life!

In 2001, Master Chuck Elias, who is currently our Regional Chairman, took me under his wing and helped me earn my 3rd and 4th Degrees. I definitely would not be where I am without his help.

I also received a great deal of help from our other board members, Master Steve Hammersley and Master Eric Hensley. The tips, advice and motivation they have given me has helped me become a strong school owner and instructor.
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If you are like me, you are inspired by Mrs. Woods' advancement and accomplishments in her art and life. I am confident she will continue to excel and reach every new goal she sets her heart, mind, and hand to. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Woods and cheering her on toward her goal in July!

If you haven't already...jump on over to her Profile page (dunamiskarate) and learn more about Mrs. Woods and her school.

Have An Extraordinary Day!
Doug McGannon
Kickgen username: KGDoug
http://www.twitter.com/dougmcgannon

To Attack or Not To Attack...

Master Gichin Funakoshi, considered to be the "father of modern Karate", taught five guiding priciples for Karate students to follow in their training and life in general. These are called the "Dojo Kun". Whether you train in traditional Karate or another style, I think these are solid principles to aspire to.

One of the principles is this: "Kekki no yu o imashimuru koto," or "Refrain from violent behavior." A further teaching by Master Funakoshi and some of his students, reflecting this same principle is, "...in Karate, never attack first." This is not about being passive, as it seems on the surface, as much as it is about being wise!

How can we apply this to everyday life? It seems easy enough to practice this in our training...being aware of our opponent's moves in order to block or deflect an attack. Being patient, confident and poised, instead of allowing ourselves to become nervous, anxious, or confused. Showing respect and discipline in our every action, word, and thought. The application is apparent and numerous in Martial Arts.

What about life? I think we can find many ways there too... Read on...