How to motivate your child

"I want. I choose. I commit." -Randy Holeman

After competing in my first tournament I was inspired to take it to the next level. Many competitors who are students say they WANT TO BECOME A WORLD CHAMPION and then become uninspired by a loss or how much money it costs to fly all over the country. The business of motivating children and motivating people can be a challenging one.

When setting a goal like becoming a State, District, or World Champion, athletes must commit to it. This can give you the "emotional juice" to really achieve a goal that many people never get close to. What a great way to improve student motivation! I believe with the correct coaching, motivation, and inspiration, any able-bodied person can become a world champion!

When it comes to coaching, you CHOOSE YOUR COACH. When it comes to the motivation, you choose that too! I know people who have motivated their kids by saying, "If you get 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at Worlds, I'll buy you the Lego Death Star set!" While some people think that's just a bribe, I think that to get a child excited about training and winning, that might appeal to their personal interest better than red letters and a new uniform. To help children succeed, sometimes you need a little more than words of encouragement. Once the child FEELS the positive benefits of training and winning, the motivation for those students will move away from $300 Lego Sets into accomplishing a worthy goal.

When it comes to Information, we are 2 weeks away from unveiling the first Future World Champion product. It is called "How to create a world champion form in 12 weeks." This is created for Coaches, athletes, and instructors that want the end result to be WINS! It lays out elements of forms that are most important, what judges are looking for, and how to develop those elements into skills.

I've trained myself and others to win at local tournaments and world events using these steps. If you would like to get on the list for this special book, click on this link right here. As soon as it is released, we'll let you in on the ground floor!

Click here for the new product link

Future World Champ will change our teaching style and create world champions!

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with what's under one's feet." -Lao Tsu (Ancient Chinese Philosopher)
Lots of adults say they wish they started martial arts when they were younger and they're too old or out of shape to start now. In my opinion, people are consumed with the perfect situation to begin setting goals. Many people regret not taking action in the past. Lao Tsu's concept in the quote above rings true - everyone can start working on their goals using the skills that they have. That's why I wrote my book "Become a Forms Master."

I like to use the following quote, it's more modern and uses language that we and kids understand:

"Sucking at something is the first step to being kinda good at something." Jake from "Adventure Time"

Dividing your form into only Eight Segments and focusing on the four different "elements" that will create a show stopping form is exactly what I lay out in the Become a Forms Master book! The first product by Future World Champ.

Our goal is:

• To give instructors resources to create world champion forms athletes
• To give parents the tools to help their children become world champion forms athletes by training at home
• To give goal-oriented students tools to improve their forms on their own
• To help improve the parent-to-student and instructor-to-student relationship while training on their own

Click on the link HERE to get a sample of the new product. If you think it's a good idea for your friends and training partners, share it with them!

How to train your child at home

As instructors, we set goals for our students.  At ATA Elkton, there is a goal every two weeks.  Some students take longer to achieve them but most students stay right on track.  Depending on your rank, the requirements for stripes may change!  Ask your instructor if your not sure but one thing remains - you must practice at home to get it!

In between days that you have class, schedule a few training days.  The workouts don't have to be crazy, the best training I've ever had have been low-key and for between 15-45 minutes.  I just review all my material and practice doing it perfect or practice performing with speed and power!  

You can do the same thing!  And the best part- you don't even have to know how to do it perfect.  Practice whatever you know, however you know it.  When you come to class next time, you'll be able to polish it up and improve.

"But he won't practice at home with me!"  You have to make it their IDEA to practice!  Don't try and force it.  Kids know better than adults - no one can force you to do anything - NOTHING.  But if you make it their idea, they will be more likely to stick with it.  

Here's how the conversation can go:

"Mr. Hayhurst really wants you to practice at home by just doing your forms a few times.  How long do you think he wants you to practice at home"

Kid says, "I don't know, like 6 hours?" (Most kids don't get the concept of time)

Mom says, "Haha, I don't think that long.  Maybe like 5 minutes." (Understate because it's coming from Mr. Hayhurst, the kid will think it's a lot longer)

Kid says, "Yeah, probably like 20 minutes."

Mom says, "I bet you can practice for 20 minutes and not stop the whole time, you're pretty tough compared to some of the other kids." (Kids will always compare themselves, and it's OK.  Competition is GOOD!)

Kids says, "Yeah I could probably do 100 minutes!"

Mom says, "Well, what, like 2 days per week and then go to class 2 days per week?  Do you think that would be good enough for Mr. Hayhurst?"

Kid says, "That is probably good."

Mom says, "Well you have class on Mondays and Wednesdays, which days should you practice at home?"

Kid says, "Sunday and Thursday!"  (Probably just random days)

Mom says, "That sounds good, then let's try that, do you think Mr. Hayhurst would be proud that you practiced at home?  Let's tell him!"

Kid says, "Yeah!!"

There, you came up with a plan.  Now, write it down on 3 sheets of paper, really big like a sign.  Post one on the fridge, one on the child's bedroom door, and one on your bedroom door.  That way it's always all over the house and the kid knows what to expect.  Kids are creatures of habits whether they want you to believe that they are or not!  Post the exact time 6:15pm - 6:35pm on Sundays and Thursdays.  In addition, post the days that classes are too so if the child is busy with Nintendo DS or XBOX, they know class is soon and they have to save their games soon!  Then don't miss one workout.  Any kid can become a champion - ones without discipline, focus, or skill.  A lazy parent makes a lazy kid.  And lazy kids don't become champions!

Stick to it and stay strong!