Okay, we will get to the strategies of Journaling… soon!   However, something has come up that I want to address.   I believe this still comes under the “Let’s get At It” concept so here’s where I would like to address it.  

 

I was asked how does Attitude First move from where we are to the next level… whatever that might be?   I feel the next level is that our members be more competent and more confidence and understanding of their competency.   The key factor to moving towards this improvement is a “committed effort” by everyone.

 

The most major frustration as the “head” of the center is that very few are proficient with all the skills they have been introduced to.   The primary reason for this is that the art as two specific needs; the ability to do and the ability to remember what to do.

 

Yes, one of the things that set American Kenpo apart from other systems is the material.   There is a ton of it and it is all designed to insure that practitioners of the system get a well rounded experience so they can apply their skills in a variety of situations and scenarios.   Along with all this material (that deals with specifics) the instructors do their best to help students realize the simplicity of the art through generalized principles.   In other words many questions answered with a single solution. In layman’s terms; Yes, we teach “Delayed Sword” against a right grab but “Delayed Sword” can be used in many, many different situations; grabs, pushes, punches, weapons, etc.

 

Yet, it can’t be used if the student doesn’t “remember” it.   Don’t worry this has gone on as long as I can remember where a student learns all their yellow requirements but by the time they get to purple belt, they are so focused on the purple belt requirements they can’t remember their yellow belt stuff. If I had a dime for every time someone said “You never taught me that…” 

 

So what’s the solution?   Actually, it is pretty simple. Go back to the basics. Now before I continue, I think it is important that I give everyone a huge apology.   In my misguided ego I have done my best to personally teach each and every student both in group and private opportunities.  Well obviously this is unrealistic.   There is just not enough time in my schedule and in all of yours to make this possible.   Because of this I know there are several students who don’t get a private.   Many look at my schedule and they say he’s booked when it works for us, so they tend to just skip it. Believe me a private with any upper rank is 100% better than no private at all.  

 

I presented this to the current mentors and to the upper ranks of the Center.   Everyone agreed that it was both appropriate and achievable.   We would go back to a very old practice of graduation requirements for upper ranks being based on how much they help lower ranks.   One of the best ways to remember your lower ranking material is to have to help someone learn it.

 

So starting in January 2010 this will be the following requirement:

 

 

So I’m sure you’re saying how is this going to work?   Well to be honest not all of the logistics are worked out but in simple terms starting in January; every Purple Belt will be designated a White Belt making a team.   The team will decide how often and when they can meet to train. Ideally they can meet a couple of times a month for ½ hour or so to train. Note: this is in addition to their current scheduled training.

 

Then as we move through the students we will go to Blue Belts and team them with a Yellow Belt, and we will team Green Belts with Orange Belts.   Initially it might be tricky as we have to work through existing students. However, going forward it will be pretty simple as a white belt comes in I will find which upper rank is available and assign them together.   

 

Sure there are going to be some personality issues and time issues.   We will work through all that.    Again as I stated in the beginning this will require a committed effort from everyone but I know it will be a huge process in moving everyone to a more improved state of training and development.

 

Now does this mean I won’t teach privates anymore? No I will still continue but I think time would be better spent if I move through out the privates helping when needed.   For example at 4:00 on a Tuesday we could have 3 or 4 privates going on at the same time.   A couple of Purple Pelts could be working with White Belts and a Blue Belt could be working with a Yellow Belt and maybe a Green Belt could be working with an Orange Belt.   I could be moving through the different privates answering questions and assisting where needed. 

 

Additionally, I still would need to make sure all the Purple through Green Belts are addressing their own development.   Yes, we might move this up that Brown and Black Belts are assigned upper ranks, too.

 

Can you see the value of the additional training opportunities?   Can you see how both students and mentors would become more responsible about knowing their material? Can you see the value of knowing when you move up, you would then have your opportunity to be responsible for another student’s improvement?

 

Now here’s another question that some have asked.   “Does that mean once I’m teamed up with someone, I stay with them the whole time?”   Absolutely not, it could happen if the teams chose to but I feel it would be best to rearrange teams from time to time to get different perspectives. Remember the key is all about experiences the more you have the more you are prepared.

 

I will be explaining more about this is the upcoming months but I wanted to get this out so everyone is aware of what we are considering moving towards.