If you’re here to learn about monetary wealth or financial success, you’re probably in the wrong place! Believe me, I’d love a few extra dollars to splurge a little, myself. Raising four children requires a level of sacrifice, so a shopping spree would be great fun.

Still, I know that this kind of wealth is only fulfilling temporarily. It can’t fill in the holes of my own inadequacies, or strengthen my personal weaknesses. To do that, I must implement some valuable techniques and reminders that I have learned along the way in my martial art practice, and in my life.

Depending on your goals, on who you want to be, or what you want to accomplish, applying some of these valuable tidbits to your life will help you excel in ways you never imagined. Monetary wealth is great! Wealth of self, is greater.

1. Keep going

Never give up on your dreams or passions. I know that this is a tall order. Life tends to throw curve balls that are difficult to handle. Your dreams and passions get sidelined based on your responsibilities and commitments. There is not always a predictable time frame. You can continue to believe in your dreams, even if you cannot take certain actions until a later date. As long as you keep the fire alive, you are working toward what you want.

Had I not given blogging a chance, I would not be writing a book, or a be columnist for magazines or a newspaper. That is a bigger dream than I ever imagined. I always kept my writing passion in the back of my mind, and when the time was right, I took a chance to bring it to light. One passion leads to other, greater passions, so never give up.

2. Find a niche

If you want to stand out, show how unique you are. A middle-aged female martial artist could easily be overlooked. There are also many martial artists in the world who teach, are black belts of varying ranks and degrees, or who are known internationally. Who cares about me?

Well, no one cared about me until I started exploring and sharing my unique martial art vision. I naturally had a desire to inspire others, and when I realized that martial arts could inspire on many levels, I decided to identify a niche that worked for me.  I’m a wise woman with a martial art background, a flair for writing, life lessons that have molded me, and a naturally happy demeanor. When I put it all together I realized I had created a very captivating niche as a motivator, friend, and writer.

Use what is special and unique about you, to capture the interest of others. I can assure you that there are many things that you can bundle together to emerge as a totally captivating and original person, with something to share or teach to others.

3. Be positive

Your positive energy will help others be positive. We all fall back on negativity  the very first chance we get. If you can keep an open mind and see the goodness that exists around you, your negative energy will be released. Let it go, because there is a much better way for you to live your life.

Positivity will catapult you from discouragement, to believing that the world has a lot to offer. When others witness your contagious awesome smile, positive mood, and good attitude, they will want to try it too.

When you can, allow your positive energy to blast through the negative grime, and emerge enlightened on the other side.

4. Support others

Don’t focus only on yourself or your own success, but help others achieve theirs, too. A great motto by which I try to live  is, “Your success is my success.”

There is a lot of selfishness and  competition in our world. Everyone is out for his own success, or to do better than the next guy. Guess what? It’s all an illusion. Providing only for yourself may gain you money or things, but it will not give you the love, friendship, or personal success that you want.

The day I started to share who I was as a female martial artist with others, and providing details on how I overcame my own personal battles, is the day I started helping others achieve. Finally, they had someone with whom they could relate,  and who understood what tough times felt like. Suddenly, there was someone who had a few answers about how to power through obstacles.

I try to diligently support other martial artists, and friends, in their endeavors. I truly want what is best for them, and if I am able  to help them through motivation, kind words, and a listening ear, then I am doing my part. While their success and mine sometimes run parallel, I do not feel like I’m in a competitive race. I have my own personal successes.

5. Be yourself and be genuine

No one likes a fake in life or in martial arts. I’m not a 10th Dan, or a master in martial arts, yet, I have something to offer, and that is my martial art voice and passion. You don’t need to be like everyone else to make an impact. No matter where you are in your personal journey, you are different from all the rest. 

Whether it is how you say something, how you look, or the way you feel, you are the most genuine “you” on this earth. Don’t be afraid to stand apart from the crowd. I could blend in with all of the other martial art women in the world, but through my writing and social media exposure, I’ve found a way to capture my own originality, and share it for the benefit of others. People engage not because I’m some superstar, famous, or an actress, but because I’m genuine in what I say and do.

6. Serve a purpose greater than yourself

Start by being giving and sharing  your time and talent with others. There is nothing better than freely giving of yourself to help another. You will realize that your purpose is not always about money, career choices, family, or what you want to do. Sometimes, slowing down and learning about another person, or helping them through a struggle with a kind word or other encouragement, allows you to serve a greater purpose. 

Teaching a martial art is a great way in which I serve a purpose greater than myself. I am able to share what I’ve learned with others so they can live better, healthier lives.

Beyond martial arts, you have opportunities everyday to serve a greater purpose through your church, community, or neighborhood. Plant a seed, water a flower, or share a dollar. Whatever it is, you are helping the world become a better place. You will grow by leaps and bounds personally, and enjoy the happiness of knowing that you helped someone else.

7. Remain focused

Don’t let criticism, discouragement, or any other distractions interfere with your purpose or mission. There are so many distractions in life. It is easy to forget what you are doing, until you notice a deadline approaching for which you are not ready. This happens when you are a student, or even at work. When I am working on my book, I am often distracted by social media, and if I don’t pay close attention, hours pass, and I get nothing done.

Staying focused is difficult because there are only so many hours in the day, and they get sucked up into a time warp. Work, working out, martial arts, family, and daily commitments all take time. Turn off the phone. Cut off social media. Focus on something for one full hour, and you won’t believe how much you get done. Success and productivity require a level of focus, so don’t let distractions pull you away from what you need to get done. A little focus brings a lot of success.

8. Be compassionate

When someone has a difficult day, let them know you care. It does not have to be some long, drawn out dialogue on how much you care, just a few words to show that you are paying attention and notice what they are going through. This is a good reminder for you, as well, isn’t it? At times, you need to step back from the everyday, and remember that the world does not revolve solely around you.

When you see the troubles of another, when you listen, and when you acknowledge their emotions, you learn to apply many of the other attributes in this post. One good thing leads to another, and compassion is your giving heart, and your understanding, for someone who truly needs it.

9. Learn as you go

No one is perfect, but everyone can learn as they go, and improve. You can’t start out just knowing everything. Relationships, jobs, martial arts, teaching, writing, and so many other activities and actions are best learned as you go, meaning, hands-on training and learning.

My first day in the dojo was discouraging. I felt I didn’t know enough to even be there on the first day. Looking around, everyone appeared so adept and knowledgeable. I felt that way because I forgot that all of them, like me, had to learn through effort and practice, over time. Once I let my perfectionist thought go, I decided that if they could start from nothing, so could I.

Don’t turn away an opportunity because you want it to be easy, or because others seem to know what to do, and you don’t. Everyone has to learn as they go.

10. Believe in yourself

If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will either. Lack of belief in self is revealed in many ways. The student whose head is down in class,  the child who bites his fingernails while waiting to perform a skill, or the person hiding in the back hoping to not get called out, are all examples of those who are still struggling to believe in themselves.

Confidence needs to be built. Martial arts are great because they grow confidence not just for martial art practice, but to carry right out into the world. When you start to feel good about yourself, and realize that you have strengths and potential, your belief in yourself will start to emerge. You will begin to accept yourself, step out and try new things, and realize that you have a lot to offer.

These are but ten simple principles that I try to use in my life. I know that they work because I’ve been on the opposite end of all of them at one time or another. I’m still waiting for that million dollars, or that great shopping spree, and that would be so much fun.

In the meantime, though, I’m feeling pretty wealthy inside.

Andrea

http://www.themartialartswoman.com  (blog about martial arts and positivity for everyone)

http://www.andreaharkins.com  (life coaching and motivational speaking)

http://www.themartialartswoman.storenvy.com (My book, The Martial Arts Woman, and other merchandise)