Black Belt Mentality for Career Success

This past weekend I was a spectator again; this time watching Black Belt (Shodan) testing in Shotokan karate. Spectating a marathon and vising a dojo couldn’t have been more different. Whereas marathon spectators are expected to cheer as loudly as possible for every runner, a dojo is a sacred place full of etiquettes. Guests are expected to adhere to strict guidelines; respect being the most critical principle: respect for the tradition, the place, the practice, the people, and the occasion. “Cheering” in karate belt testing is a quiet spectating requiring both an inward and outward calmness.

Most runners take about 18 weeks to train for a marathon. Earning a black belt is a long-term investment in skill-building. Mastery is achieved through consistent training almost daily, over and over again, for years on end. On average, it takes about 5 years to earn a black belt in Shotokan karate. Like building a career, Karate is a very personal journey with discipline being the driver. The key to mastery in both is to keep practicing the required skills to keep progressing as best as the circumstances allow.

I love the Jim Rohn quote that discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. It is the key to achieving personal and professional goals. Think about it, everything you have achieved to date was through self-disciple, commitment, and dedication; whether it’s your degree, finding your first job, and every promotion or bigger job since. But self-discipline is not innate. It must be developed. Throughout the challenges and opportunities, we cultivate discipline from the inside out. Mastery is a lifelong process. The opportunities in your career are in direct correlation to your commitment to learning and growth. Like any other skill, practice makes progress. Success in any endeavor demands unwavering commitment, self-discipline and focus.

Every Shotokan student has to memorize the Dojo Kun, the practitioner’s creed. These 5 principles from the dojo certainly apply to building a career with impact.

Seek perfection of character

The practice of karate is more than just physical. It aims to build character through discipline. The ultimate goal is to always endeavor to learn, improve and grow. The same is true regarding building a successful career. Career growth is a journey to mastery. It is not quick. It requires building the skills needed to move from position to position. Perfecting your craft means dedicating yourself to the mastery of the skills of the trade. Always be asking: “what skills should I be developing in order to increase my impact?” Work diligently to improve your abilities. Strive for excellence and learn from your mistakes. The journey to mastery takes a great deal of discipline and effort. It builds character. As you grow your job, you grow yourself and vice versa.

Be faithful

In the context of karate practice and career building, being faithful means being purposeful and having unwavering commitment and devotion to your growth journey. It involves making deliberate choices in spending the time and efforts on doing what is needed to complete tasks, reach milestones, and achieve the big hairy goals. It’s about staying focused on what you want to create for yourself and lining up the right strategies to stay motivated, even in the face of adversity. To be faithful is to be accountable. Put simply, accountability means being true to your obligations, commitments, and promises, to self and to others. Do what you say you will do in whatever you set out to do, despite any pressures to act otherwise. Faithful and consistent action creates consistent results. Being faithful to yourself is the path to becoming the best version of yourself.

Endeavor

This principle captures the spirit of effort, the commitment to one’s craft. No matter what you do, whether it’s practicing karate, training for a marathon, nurturing a relationship, or building a career, do your absolute best and make the necessary effort consistently to build the next level. The key to achievement is momentum. The way to build momentum is to make maximum effort - show up, be present and be consistent in doing the work. Success is about the consistency of your endeavor. To endeavor is to exert yourself. It is the only way to make steady progress and to be successful in any undertaking. This third principle is critical because it is the culmination of the first two principles. If you don’t endeavor to do your best, you are not being faithful to yourself (and others,) and you are not trying to seek perfection of character.

Respect others

Respect is a key value of Shotokan karate. It is also very important in the workplace. The ability to respect people and acknowledge their knowledge, talents, skills, and contributions is the true mark of professionalism. Respect for you is based on the one you offer others; it is the ultimate currency for collaboration. The more social currency you have, the more influence you can exert and the more impact you can make. Showing respect is a sign of emotional intelligence (EQ.) It helps build strong relationships and communicate effectively. Additionally, respect weaves itself into being open-minded. Being willing to consider new ideas and perspectives is the path to knowledge and learning. There is something to learn from every person and every encounter. Learning enhances your career.

Refrain from violent behavior

The expectation of a martial artist is to always be in control. Control is power, and it begins from within by cultivating inner calmness and a clear mind. This principle is not merely a passive state of refraining from violence, but rather an active practice, extending beyond the dojo. This is a moral obligation to refrain from causing harm whether physical, emotional, or mental to anyone, including yourself. The career application of this principle is the conscious integration of compassion into the workplace by consciously and continuously supporting and cheering others for their hard work and accomplishments. Compassion is the ability to hold space for other people’s point of view without casting judgment, to accept people as they are, and to recognize the worthiness and value of people intrinsic to their humanity. This extends to cultivating an attitude of kindness and consideration toward yourself. It is the foundation for self-actualization and growth.

Growing a career is a lifelong pursuit. It requires patience and discipline. Self-discipline is a learned skill. Practicing the skill, making it ingrained into your mindset and habits, can help you steadily progress, one goal at a time, towards long-term personal and professional growth.