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Which are You?
There are two kinds of students; the "Movers and Shakers" and the "Coasters". The "Movers and Shakers" are full of
enthusiasm and usually are very involved in their learning. You'll often see them coming early or staying late. They are the
students that the instructor can count on when they need something done. The first to sign up for a tournament or Summer Camp. They attend most school and association functions and are always there for set up and clean up and you'll find them helping other students learn when they can. They try to come up with ideas to help the school or the association be better because they honestly care. The "Movers and Shakers" are the students that keep the schools and the association afloat and functioning. They are the ones that make your school a fun and interesting place to be and the reason you look forward to going to class.
Then there are the "Coasters". These are the students that are content to ride the coat tails of the "Movers and Shakers". They rarely attend extra activities and when they do will be the first to leave to avoid getting caught in the clean up. They will do only what is asked of them and nothing more. They are only in it for what they think benefits them. They assume someone else will put things away, someone else will get things cleaned up, someone else will be at testing to hold boards, someone else will be at camp or the tournaments. They appreciate having things available to do like parties or tournaments when they so desire to attend, but don't want to have anything expected of them. They dream of being higher rank, but really don't want to have responsibilities put on them.
I am sure every one of you can name the top five "Movers and Shakers" who do everything at your school. They do the teaching, the cleaning, the holding the boards, the planning of activities and show up for as much as they can to help. I am sure most of you can name the top five "Movers and Shakers" who do everything at Summer Camp and the Tournaments. Why am I sure that you can? Because it is usually the same five people……
I know at this point you are thinking this is mildly interesting but what is the point? Well, Most of us know which one we are, of course, a few are in denial. However, the facts are clear that the numbers of the "movers and shakers" seems to be dwindling over the last couple of years and the "Coasters" numbers are rising. We need your help to prevent this epidemic from destroying what a great thing we have going.
One example is the TTCA Newsletter. We have literally begged for interesting articles from our members, Instructors and Masters and over the last 12 years have gotten articles from about 5 people. Maybe you don't think you have anything worth contributing, but your thoughts and experiences are always valuable to others. Members want to hear from you! The future success of the newsletter depends on you. If you would like to see it get more interesting then get involved this is your newsletter after all. Write a short article it doesn't have to be a literary work of art, just your experiences and ideas that might be of interest and help to others. Something on health, training, diet, or philosophy anything that ties in to martial art.
Another big example that a problem exist is our tournament and camp participation. It used to be that the black belt divisions were the biggest in the whole tournament. Now? We are lucky if we have two people so we can even have a match in a black belt division. Except for the women's division which I will say has stayed strong in their participation.
I asked the instructors for some insight into this problem and few ideas were forthcoming…….predominately the issue of money came up as it usually does in any situation. While I do understand that some families experience hardships from time to time. I submit that it isn't that most people don't have the money, only that they didn't want to compete in the first place and the money was an easy excuse. I submit that if a new video game or cell phone came out that they wanted they'd find the money. Whether it is an issue of fear, lack of interest, or laziness only you can answer for yourself. We have become a more self absorbed and isolated society than ever before. Prior to 1996 when TTCA was started we had 5 tournaments per year that we could attend. Only one was in Louisville and the others involved travel to Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Chicago and so on. The contact was not nearly as controlled as it is today and people probably made less income than they do today, with the exception of those out of work. However, tournament participation was through the roof. We couldn't wait to go, it was exciting to see new places, to gather together as friends and classmates and we made lasting friendships with students from all over the country and looked forward to seeing them every tournament. It not only bonded us together as friends it made the association and our individual schools stronger and gave students a training experience that you could get no other way. It kept us sharp physically and mentally and in shape.
I realize that we all live busy lives, no one knows that better than I do. But I think we need to re-evaluate our priority list and see just where our commitment to our training, our school and our association falls. If it makes it into the top 4 then you are probably a "mover and Shaker" if it falls between 5-10 then you are probably a "Coaster" then it's probably a matter of time before you are one of the thousands that took class once upon a time. Though I have seen many "Coaster Types" hang around for decades as long as nothing was asked of them. But, they are not living up to their potential and putting an unfair burden on everyone else. The good news is it's never to late to change your attitude and make a difference. Re-dedicate yourself to your training, your school, and your association. Those top five people won't be around for ever….who is going to pick up the ball and run with it then? Martial artist were never meant to live as coasters we are meant to be Movers and Shakers constantly striving to improve ourselves, our environment, our schools and association and our quality of life.
I challenge every single one of you in this new year of the white tiger to find your inner strength and to re-awaken to the possibilities of greatness that could be in your future if you only reach out and make an effort to make a difference. Don't just be a number. Be a Conscientious and active member of TTCA and make your mark. Please write us with your ideas and input we want to hear from you! ContactTTCA@cs.com
Master K. Crecelius, Yuk-dan
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