SHOULD I QUIT?
WELL THAT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO TURN OUT...
We all go through stages of boredom, stagnation, changing interests etc. But quitting martial arts prematurely can and will have several negative consequences, that will deprive you or your child of valuable experiences and benefits that come with long-term practice and also has some serious knock on effects in life ‘off the mat’:
Stunted Skill Development: Martial arts techniques require consistent practice to master. Quitting early means you miss out on the chance to become proficient in various moves and strategies. This can limit your ability to defend yourself effectively and may cause frustration if you don’t see the full scope of your potential.
Missed Physical and Mental Benefits: Martial arts provide a comprehensive workout that improves cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and mental acuity. If you quit, you lose the ongoing opportunity to enhance your fitness levels and mental well-being, potentially leading to decreased overall health.
Lost Self-Discipline: Regular martial arts training instills a strong sense of discipline, time management, and dedication. Quitting can undermine these qualities, making it harder to stay committed to other pursuits and goals in life.
Limited Personal Growth: Martial arts encourage continuous self-improvement and personal growth. By quitting, you may miss out on valuable life lessons, such as resilience in the face of challenges, learning from failures, and pushing your limits – qualities that can serve you well in all aspects of life.
Lost Community and Support: Martial arts often foster a sense of camaraderie among practitioners. Quitting means missing out on the chance to be part of a supportive community that shares your interests and can provide motivation and encouragement.
Stunted Skill Development: Martial arts techniques require consistent practice to master. Quitting early means you miss out on the chance to become proficient in various moves and strategies. This can limit your ability to defend yourself effectively and may cause frustration if you don’t see the full scope of your potential.
Diminished Confidence: Progressing in martial arts boosts self-confidence as you overcome challenges and see your skills improve. Quitting can lead to a sense of missed opportunity and potentially lower self-esteem.
Regret and What-Ifs: Over time, you might regret not persevering through the challenges and seeing where your martial arts journey could have led. The “what-ifs” of not knowing how far you could have progressed can linger as a source of disappointment.
Inconsistent Self-Defense Skills: If your goal was to learn self-defense, quitting early may leave you with incomplete knowledge. Martial arts techniques can be essential for personal safety, and not staying trained could affect your ability to protect yourself and others. Why do you think security, military and police forces continue to practice everyday for years?!
Loss of Cultural and Philosophical Insights: Many martial arts have rich histories, philosophies, and cultural significance. Stopping prematurely means you may not fully appreciate or internalize the wisdom and values embedded within these traditions.
Ultimately, quitting martial arts early will prevent you from fully reaping the rewards that come with long-term dedication. It’s essential to weigh the short-term inconvenience, changing interests or challenges against the long-term benefits and personal growth that continuous practice can bring. Only you can decide on whether you want an average life with average expectations or you actually want to achieve something worthwhile. It is estimated that over 92% of people give up on their dreams and never achieve their potential, you need to ask yourself, do you want you or your child to be one of them?
and of course don't forget how these can influence the future...
Missed Opportunities: Lack of commitment can lead to missed chances for personal growth, learning, and experiences that could shape your future positively.
Stagnation: Without commitment, you might remain stuck in your comfort zone, inhibiting your potential for progress and development.
Unfulfilled Potential: Not committing to challenges prevents you from realizing your full potential and achieving goals that could lead to a more fulfilling life.
Regret and Resentment: Over time, you might regret not giving your best effort, leading to feelings of resentment toward yourself or others who succeeded due to their commitment.
Diminished Self-Esteem: Repeated lack of commitment erodes self-esteem as you feel incapable of following through on your intentions and promises.
Inconsistent Relationships: A pattern of not committing can extend to relationships, causing difficulties in maintaining connections and building trust.
Reduced Professional Success: Commitment is crucial for career advancement, and failure to commit may limit opportunities for promotions and growth.
Unreliable Reputation: Consistently failing to commit can lead others to view you as unreliable, affecting personal and professional relationships.
Limited Skill Development: Not committing to skill-building endeavors restricts your ability to develop expertise and excel in various areas.
Overall Dissatisfaction: A lack of commitment can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction and unfulfillment, negatively impacting your overall quality of life.
