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Defining Your Martial Arts School's
Purpose For Success & Significance
by Grandmaster John St. James - 9th Dan
Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation
In the centuries-old
martial arts tradition, the essence of practice extends beyond physical
prowess - cultivating a sense of purpose and direction. For martial arts
school owners, this principle is pivotal when shaping the vision and
future of their academies. In this article we explore the pathways to
defining a school's purpose and the profound impact it can have.
The Journey to Discovering Purpose
Every accomplished martial arts school has a clearly defined purpose at
its core. Discovering this purpose is akin to walking the Master's
Path - it's about revealing, rather than creating, the essence of your
school. As martial arts teaches, when the student is ready, the teacher
will appear, and so it is with your school's purpose.
The Crucial Questions
To begin this voyage of discovery, consider four fundamental
questions:
- Why does your school exist?
Lean into this question. Understand the unique offerings that set your
martial arts practice apart.
- What are you to be as a significant school owner?
Reflect on your role and how you can embody martial arts principles in
your leadership.
- What are you to do as a quality martial arts school owner?
Beyond teaching martial arts, ascertain the broader impact your school
aims to have on its students and community.
- How are you to do it?
Strategize the methods and approaches that will best serve your school's
mission. Record your reflections and strive to distill them into a
succinct purpose statement - a single sentence that encapsulates your
mission.
Crafting a Powerful Purpose Statement
A purpose statement must be specific, transferable, and measurable.
It's a beacon that guides your decisions, your school's growth, and your
students' personal development. Passionately articulating this message
can be the catalyst for creating a thriving martial arts community.
The Five Purposes of a Strong School
Consider the following five purposes that build the foundation of a
successful martial arts school:
- Recruit new members - Utilize the Success Paradigm to help
every student learn, grow, share, serve, lead, and inspire.
- Develop quality black belts - Focus on cultivating well-rounded
individuals in mind, body, and spirit.
- Certify well-trained instructors - Ensure that those who teach
are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to uphold the school's
standards.
- Create professional branch operators or school owners - Develop
leaders who can carry forward the school's legacy and expand its
reach.
- Teach by example the importance of significance - Demonstrate
the deeper value and impact of martial arts through actions.
Crafting Your School's Purpose Statement
When constructing your purpose statement, consider integrating five key
words that reflect your core intents. For instance:
Magnify - Amplify the values and benefits of martial arts
training.
Mission - Commit to recruiting and nurturing students to harness
their "superpowers" for the greater good.
Membership - Foster development of individuals into quality black
belts in mind, body, and spirit.
Magnificence - Lead with the art's message and significance as an
exemplar.
Mastery - Focus not just on growing your school through programs,
but on growing individuals through a proven process.
A sample purpose statement that unifies these elements could be: "Our
mission is to magnify the martial arts, offering a pathway to
mastery where membership means more than skill - it means magnificence
of spirit and character."
Conclusion
Defining your school's purpose is an introspective process that requires
honesty, wisdom, and foresight. It's a statement of your commitment to
the ancient tradition of martial arts and a testament to its endurance
in the modern world. While facilities and programs
are important, ultimately it is the growth of individuals that will
define your school's success.
In the words of a great martial arts master, the goal is "not to develop
what has already been developed, but to recover what has been left
behind." These principles apply just as effectively to developing your
school's purpose as they do to practicing martial arts itself. Focus on
cultivating significance in your students, and your school will indeed
flourish.
Stand tall, stay humble, and open yourself to the myriad ways of
achieving growth in your martial arts school. Remember - true martial
arts mastery extends beyond the mat; it encompasses the wisdom to lead
and expand your school without compromising its core values.
Always in the Spirit of Moo Do Excellence
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