On exam night, two different students walked up to me and said, “Am I going to pass this test? How do you know I’m ready?”

One was older than me and one was a child, and yet they both had the very same question.  Something inside made them wonder if they really knew everything and if they could step up and perform their martial art in front of an audience, under pressure.

Martial artists and instructors have different schools of thought on what a test should be.  Some believe it should be very realistic so a student gets “attacked” out of nowhere or is put through the paces of every single skill they should know.  Other programs, like mine, use it more as a method to show off what has been learned, spot-check skills, highlight strengths, and foster just enough nervousness to understand what adrenaline feels like.  How an instructor tests others is often based on how he was tested.  Whatever test style brought him through the ranks is the one he naturally implements. It is similar to following the traditions to the way you were raised.  Chances are you will carry them on in your own family.

I understand the fear and worry of facing a daunting challenge.  When I learned martial arts, I was enthralled with every bit of it.  When I realized that I had strength in a physical and a mental way, I was hooked!  Going to classes each week was exciting, rewarding, and a great learning experience.  I had confidence that I could learn whatever was presented and I jumped right in whenever I could.

Belt tests were a different story.

My husband, David, and I went through the ranks together.  We went to classes and tests at the same time.  We didn’t necessarily work together in class, but we were always within reach of each other.  I never understood why, even though we went every step of the way together, I was always so extremely nervous on the day of testing and he was only a little nervous, if that.  He would say things like “they wouldn’t ask you to test if you didn’t know it, Andrea.”

That didn’t help.  My stomach churned.  I pondered over and over.  What if I miss a step? What if I fall down?  What if I don’t win at sparring? What if I don’t know what to do?”  What if I am not as good as everyone else?

Ugh!  I was miserable.  What should have been a good experience was drowning me.

Perspective makes all the difference.  While I was focused on what could go wrong and on potential failure, David was focused on the excitement of finally getting to show off what he learned.  While I was facing fear and self-doubt, David was embracing his accomplishments with pride and confidence.

The two questioning students who walked up to me at the test and seriously questioned if they were ready were….me.  I was looking right at myself when I heard them utter the words “how do you know I’m ready?”  All the memories poured back.

There is only one way I know a student is ready.  I have already observed him in class and have seen him perform the required proficiency.  When he receives a new belt color, he is now on track to learn the skills required for that belt level. That is it.  That is the secret to knowing he is ready.  A simple check mark in my head that he already knows the material.  Done.  Each student must trust my word.

We all lack trust at times.  We hate to give up control about what we are doing or about what we are talking.  It’s hard to be judged by others.  What we often forget is that there are so many more important tests in life than one evening of a karate exam or one final in college.  These are just preliminary tests that prepare us for the much bigger life tests we will face.  We must determine when to trust and who to trust.  In karate class, I’m her.  I’m the one to trust.

The Life Test 

One of my students is a grandmother, a mother, a volunteer, and a loving person.  She has a great attitude.  She smiles and laughs and asks questions.  She has always wanted to take martial arts and finally has the opportunity and she is not going to miss it!  Her daughter and two grandchildren are involved in the program, too.  This is family devotion  right out on my dojo floor.

Can being asked to perform a kata or a series of drills on test day even come close to this kind of lifelong, day-to-day test of love and commitment it takes to be a wife, grandmother and mother?  Think of all the work and sacrifice it takes to raise a family.  Can that ever compare to just one moment of martial art testing?  Being a true martial artist is partially performing the physical skills;  the other important part is being a good person with an exemplary attitude.  Passing the first part of this equation is just as important and just as difficult as passing the other part.

When you look at your own life, I think you will see that you are constantly passing tests.  Maybe the tests cannot be measured with a grade or a ruler, but they make a difference in your life and the life of others.  Don’t others rely upon you at work?  Don’t you have constant commitments with the kids or pressing financial responsibilities?  We are tested continuously and rigorously, but rarely give ourselves credit for passing the tests.  If you tell me you have never passed a test in your life, then you are wrong because the life test is the one on which you have achieved the highest grade.

Like you, I have many tests and challenges that I have to face and want to overcome; but, this is one lesson learned that I want to pass on to you.  Don’t concentrate on the small percentage of tests that you get wrong.  Focus on the percentage that show the truth about how you did.  Striving for 100% is the goal and if you achieve it, then you’ve mastered something and should be proud.  If not, do what you need to do to make up for the percentage you missed the next time.

Along with blogging, I write on occasion for a martial arts magazine.  I was asked by the editor to be a journalist/reporter for the magazine by interviewing successful school owners.  I could ask myself that same question I was asked at the test last night.  How does the editor know I’m ready?  Is he sure I can do this?  This is a test of my skill and my abilities to capture information and whittle it down to usable, interesting, and valuable information.  I’m still just a white belt when it comes to this type of writing.  Just as I know when a student is ready to test, the editor knows I’m ready, too.  I’ve already written many articles for him that he has published.  I’ve already demonstrated good writing technique so this assignment is just a chance to showcase more of what I can do.  This is just like our promotions.  I’ve been tested already, now it is time to perform.

Being an instructor is a constant test.  I have to weigh my knowledge and my ability to perform skills.  I have to cultivate a good relationship with my students. I must impart the right wisdom and share who I am in order to teach them better.  They are, in essence, grading me.  If they return to class, I have passed the test.  If they don’t, I need to review the reasons why.  If the reasons are out of my control –  they moved, they have other commitments, they can’t get to class at that time –  then those can be excluded; but if it is because they don’t like the class, the content, the teachers, or the lessons, then I have failed them I need to perform better.

The bottom line is, there is no need to be nervous or question yourself.  We are all taking important life tests together.

Yes, you are ready

Are you ready?  Yes, you are.

Others have faith in you.  They depend on you.  And, you have your own vision of where you are going.  Don’t ever let anyone else tell you that you are not ready.  Don’t let anyone quash your dreams of trying the things you have always wanted to try.  And, most importantly, don’t let fear stop you from achieving your goals and desires.  You have already passed many, many more stringent tests.

The recent martial art test was so much fun.  Before taking a month off in the summer, it was a great way to bring everyone together, students and their families, to showcase budding talents and well-trained students, but especially to give students the opportunity to conquer their fears. At the end, we took a group photo and, fears aside, every student held up a certificate and new belt with a sense of pride.

The truth is if you think you have never passed a test in your life before, it doesn’t matter to me.  As an instructor, in my eyes, you will never fail.  That is my job and the most critical martial arts test that I ever have to take.

When you pass, I pass.

Andrea

 

 

 

Personalized Life Coaching (click on the tab at the top of the page or go here):

http://www.themartialartswoman.com/personalized-life-coaching/

The Martial Arts Woman Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/themartialartswoman

To subscribe, click on the Home tab and add your e-mail address to the “subscribe” box.