That pivotal moment in International Business... 永不言弃

There are many things in life that stem from the same principles. This can't be more true then in martial arts, I have been training for about 13 years of my life, in 3 years I will have been training longer then I haven't which is an insight to my age. 

There is a concept that we work with that is called a "kanami" point which in principle is the point of balance that allows for progress in any and all directions without restriction. 

This point is a great place to be in Martial arts as you have the security and confidence to move in any direction you please, as where ever you move you are safe.  In business this point is a joyous place to get to, it often happens however that you find yourself there and it feels suspiciously like luck.

As many of you will agree luck is only really the point that opportunity and preparation meet and the more you prepare or train the more lucky you will get, in the same way that more opportunities you put yourself in front of the higher the chance of success is. 

With international business and especially with China this feeling of "kanami" happens regularly and will often be a pivotal point ones career, evolution and growth. It means that you are progressing but can also be dangerous and daunting. Have you ever felt that point of terror when you realise there has been a huge road opened up in front of you and you literally freeze with either excitement or from being overwhelmed?

China presents this on a regular basis and the worst thing you can do is presume to know what you are doing, false confidence from your previous experiences. Even with working with China for the past 10 years I still am pleasantly surprised with how much there is to learn about a country that is effectively the Asian version of the EU. Each province being a country to its own, with its own language, culture, habits, preferences and aspirations. There is of course the China dream which seems to be a reoccurring theme. 

Now being a "老外" with a strong command over the language and the culture, I live my life in China as a Chinese version of my self which means I get to draw from my passion on a daily basis. This is not the case for many whom work in and with China, for many its hard work, with many challenges and frustrations. 

The moment comes however when you feel actually enough is enough and you are presented with the choice of "do I just give up or do I step up?", this is the most important lesson you can learn from working with China and within martial arts. You are given the gift to step up on a daily basis, the more you do this the more you will find your luck increases and your successes start to mount and before you know it you have become an improved version of your self and you ability to positively impact others goes through the roof.

The choice really is yours.