The Challenge of Adult Personal Development

By Eric Scott

The Martial Arts Perspective

I have an awesome job. I teach full-time, and get to use karate and self-defense as a vessel for personal development for kids and adults. The kids get it that they are meant to be learning full-time, and their parents invest in them. The adults are far more of a challenge when faced with their own personal development. On occasion adults would prefer to sacrifice than set aside the time for their own development plan. Some adults think it's greedy - that learning and personal development is a luxury.



Lifelong Learning

Learning is not an indulgence , but it is a pastime; however , learning is the sole activity that gives a return on the investment of time and money. We are most of the way through 2015. My clients hear it from me one or more times every month. Next year will be the same as this year, excepting these 3 things - the people you've met, the books you've read, and the things you're better at. Human connections, and abilities.

Beginning an Israeli Krav Maga self-defense programme is empowering but might not be for everyone, but the plan must include something that is challenging and time-bound. One problem is that the types of goals we can set and enjoy don't appear courageous. But the truth is that if we're not growing a little, we're dying a little bit.



A Basic Development Plan:

I am not getting preachy with adults, but when I am getting questions, I share an example of what I do every month:

Read one book a month on a fascinating subject

Make a short list of work and private abilities I want to work on, and do it. Not moving mountains, small things. Lynda.com could be a great resource for this. I learned video editing, which is excellent for private and business. There's a boom in learning possibilities for anything you'd want to learn - including my online Krav Maga programs.

Put the telephone down and strike up a fascinating conversation with someone at the coffee bar once every week, and spend 20 minutes finding out about what she does. It is the easiest place in the world to have a genuine conversation, without having to "network. " (Yuck)

The months roll by and I I never have time I want. Neither will you. It's satisfying to understand I am making a tiny bit of progress at a time, which is by coincidence also the key to progress in martial arts.

About the Author:

Eric Scott is a pro martial-arts instructor and founder of Self-defense Global . Self-defense Global offers gear, coaching, and training missions for a safer life. He offers a free video introductory class which has more information than most paid programs including a week of video lessons, and a free electronic book.