Lessons As A Kung Fu Trainer
I've been training Kung Fu since the age of 8, I'm 17 now. Since 2+ years, I've become a trainer there myself and I would like to tell you some things I've learned there about people. I hope this post can teach you some valuable skills when dealing with other people in various ways Lesson 1: Keep the balance A part of my job is to hold a training, but it's important that you are seen more as a respectable trainer that wants the best of you instead of a tyrant. While it's not good if they can run circles around you and you need to keep respect, but at the same time they shouldn't be scared shitless. If you are too hard with the kids and scream at them to do stuff, they become scared of you and don't feel well around you. If you're too easy, none of them will take you seriously and it becomes a playground, where you feel powerless. This is something that needs to be learned over time (Even after 2 years, I still have to work on this), and that means that this is a difficult skill to acquire. Even though it's hard, it's one of the most important skills to learn IMO. Striking this balance will mean better relationships, more respect from others and most importantly: More respect from yourself. Where this balance is for you (Yes the one reading this :D) has to be decided for your own, I'm more of the serious type in my everyday life, but you can figure that out yourself. Lesson 2: Motivate more, criticize less When you want one of the kids to do the exercises, you want them to be motivated. That motivation however can quickly transition into too much fun, where they start doing their own thing and if you don't keep it in check, it becomes that playground from lesson 1 again. It's important to keep them motivated though, or they'll not be coming back. That means that motivation > criticism. Of course criticism is important to keep them from becoming delusional, but which is the better choice of these 2: Tell them that they are doing great 80% of the time or that they're being horrible for 20% of the time? What will be more beneficial to that child? Even saying the smallest thing like "Great job Mike!" and putting that in the forefront is really important and only criticizing when absolutely necessary.