The second day has ended up being a lot longer than the first day. I'm writing this blog post at 2:32 am, 20 minutes after leaving the Tropicana Hotel (site of testing). For the record, the official test is not until tomorrow. What is tomorrow? Is today, tomorrow?? I've been punching, blocking, and kicking for 16 hours straight, minus lunch, dinner, a few snacks, and restroom breaks. I'm a little delirious.
Believe it or not, there are 300 people testing for a different rank of Black Belt. Today, Grandmaster Park informed everyone that 10% of our group would pass the test if the test was right now. Well... I wish he hadn't told me that. I'm accustomed to long hours of teaching and training, and minimal sleep. Therefore, guess who was the last to leave tonight? You guessed it! Nery and I. Nery is my new hardcore training buddy from Los Angeles. I'm not sure what happened to Carston, my buddy from Germany. He called it a night after dinner.
I sure wish I could write more, but I'm thinking I need a few hours of sleep before I take the official test tomorrow.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
1st Update- Black Belt Update
As promised, I am making a blog post on my quest for 6th Degree Black Belt.
5:30 am - Wake up (Boise)
6:00 am - Cringe as the taxi driver rings the doorbell (3 sleeping kids!)
7:45 am - Land in Las Vegas. I did travel light. I checked in a bag, but carried my hogu (chest protector) with me. I have traveled to a lot of tournaments with this hogu, and never have I had so many people ask me what it was that I was carrying. Evidently, 3 people had a bet on what it was. Apparently, one gentleman thought it was a ping pong paddle case.
8:10 am - Picked up by the Hampton Inn shuttle (that I called for, by the way)
8:20 am - Arrive at the wrong Hampton Inn.
8:25 am - Get back on the shuttle I thought I called, but really didn't, and head for the airport. Mine was there waiting.
8:35 am - Get to the right hotel, check in, shower, eat breakfast, and head to the Tropicana hotel for the poomse seminar.
As some of you may know, I wasn't super excited to do 2 days of straight poomse training before the actual test. After spending about 8 hours on poomse, then an additional 2 hours working with some new friends, I'm actually kind of excited. I've been to a lot of seminars, but this one is different. The seminar leader is a 9th Degree Grandmaster. He started his training in the 60's, and has the agility of a cat! He doesn't speak a lick of English, and has a translator relaying his wealth of knowledge to the participants.
Many of the Black Belt participants have their school logo on the back of their dobok (uniform). Not the seminar leader and assistants! The back of their uniform has one word written in big bold letters... KUKKIWON. Let me explain- Kukkiwon is the heart and soul of the Black Belt curriculum. Kukkiwon is the headquarters for the development and processing of Black Belts and their certificates. Having KUKKIWON on the back of your dobok is about the equivalent to a room full of people with their state on their back, and a few people with the words- WHITE HOUSE.
Aside from having some very knowledgable big dogs, it was actually quite exciting to understand the development and changes of the particular techniques in a poomse. I understand that students aren't thrilled about change. It has actually occured to me that our students must simply understand that poomse changes, not because it was being down incorrectly, but because it must evolve. There are vast changes in poomse from just 5 years ago! It's no wonder there is so much controversy over the correct techniques. Let me back up. There is controversy amongst those that don't keep their knowledge updated. Don't misunderstand me, I still have my thoughts on the starting and stopping positions of a poomse:).
Alright, it's time for me to veg out and visualize Pyongwon, Sipjin, and Jitae.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
The Academy of World Taekwondo
5:30 am - Wake up (Boise)
6:00 am - Cringe as the taxi driver rings the doorbell (3 sleeping kids!)
7:45 am - Land in Las Vegas. I did travel light. I checked in a bag, but carried my hogu (chest protector) with me. I have traveled to a lot of tournaments with this hogu, and never have I had so many people ask me what it was that I was carrying. Evidently, 3 people had a bet on what it was. Apparently, one gentleman thought it was a ping pong paddle case.
8:10 am - Picked up by the Hampton Inn shuttle (that I called for, by the way)
8:20 am - Arrive at the wrong Hampton Inn.
8:25 am - Get back on the shuttle I thought I called, but really didn't, and head for the airport. Mine was there waiting.
8:35 am - Get to the right hotel, check in, shower, eat breakfast, and head to the Tropicana hotel for the poomse seminar.
As some of you may know, I wasn't super excited to do 2 days of straight poomse training before the actual test. After spending about 8 hours on poomse, then an additional 2 hours working with some new friends, I'm actually kind of excited. I've been to a lot of seminars, but this one is different. The seminar leader is a 9th Degree Grandmaster. He started his training in the 60's, and has the agility of a cat! He doesn't speak a lick of English, and has a translator relaying his wealth of knowledge to the participants.
Many of the Black Belt participants have their school logo on the back of their dobok (uniform). Not the seminar leader and assistants! The back of their uniform has one word written in big bold letters... KUKKIWON. Let me explain- Kukkiwon is the heart and soul of the Black Belt curriculum. Kukkiwon is the headquarters for the development and processing of Black Belts and their certificates. Having KUKKIWON on the back of your dobok is about the equivalent to a room full of people with their state on their back, and a few people with the words- WHITE HOUSE.
Aside from having some very knowledgable big dogs, it was actually quite exciting to understand the development and changes of the particular techniques in a poomse. I understand that students aren't thrilled about change. It has actually occured to me that our students must simply understand that poomse changes, not because it was being down incorrectly, but because it must evolve. There are vast changes in poomse from just 5 years ago! It's no wonder there is so much controversy over the correct techniques. Let me back up. There is controversy amongst those that don't keep their knowledge updated. Don't misunderstand me, I still have my thoughts on the starting and stopping positions of a poomse:).
Alright, it's time for me to veg out and visualize Pyongwon, Sipjin, and Jitae.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
6th Degree Black Belt
I am excited to announce that I have applied to participate in a historical Black Belt exam. It's the first Black Belt exam, of this nature, in history. So far, there is no other test like this foreseen in the future. The test is being conducted by a panel of high ranking Black Belts, including 9th Degree Grandmasters from the Kukkiwon headquarters in Seoul, Korea.
The test is being hosted by the United States Association of Taekwondo (USAT) at the US Taekwondo Open Championships in Las Vegas this weekend. This historical event can be best described as a make up test. It's for Black Belts who had errors in processing their applications, or for whatever reason, missed their opportunity to test when they were scheduled to.
11 years ago, I participated in a Black Belt test that was supposed to transfer my current rank, and move me up 1 degree as a Kukkiwon Certified Black Belt. Evidently, when my application was processed, I was actually 1 degree lower as a Kukkiwon Certified Black Belt. Four years ago, I opted to take my 4th degree Black Belt test from my sisters instructor in Los Angeles, Ca. No problems with processing there.
When I learned about this special Black Belt test, I contacted the CEO of the USAT, Mr. David Askinas, and we determined that I indeed qualify for a promotion. This year, I am technically up for my 5th degree Black Belt test. I had every intention of testing in Korea this year, until I learned about this historical test. Due to the circumstances 11 years ago, I was adviced to apply for a skip promotion, which would allow me to test for my 6th degree Black Belt. I prepared all the necessary documents, including a 10 page thesis on my philosophy of Taekwondo, plus my Taekwondo resume that began in 1978. My application, thesis, and resume was reviewed in Korea, and... ACCEPTED!
Although I am thrilled that I have this opportunity to test for my 6th degree Black Belt, I am more excited that I made contact with my original instructor from 1978 because of this event. I was documenting him in my resume and wanted to confirm that I was spelling his name correctly, so I Googled him. Surprisingly, I found him! I had actually sought him out a few times over the past 15 years with no luck, therefore, I assumed he was no longer involved in martial arts. His name is Master Steve Bettencourt, and he has 7 schools in his organization. http://www.worldmusadofederation.com. He is still very much involved with martial arts!
I sent him an email explaining who I was. I was hoping that he would at least remember my father, who was a Black Belt at the time. He responded within 12 hours and remembers exactly who I am, as well as my entire family, even affter 31 years! We've been in touch since I made contact with him, and I hope to visit him and his schools this year.
See you in class!
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
The test is being hosted by the United States Association of Taekwondo (USAT) at the US Taekwondo Open Championships in Las Vegas this weekend. This historical event can be best described as a make up test. It's for Black Belts who had errors in processing their applications, or for whatever reason, missed their opportunity to test when they were scheduled to.
11 years ago, I participated in a Black Belt test that was supposed to transfer my current rank, and move me up 1 degree as a Kukkiwon Certified Black Belt. Evidently, when my application was processed, I was actually 1 degree lower as a Kukkiwon Certified Black Belt. Four years ago, I opted to take my 4th degree Black Belt test from my sisters instructor in Los Angeles, Ca. No problems with processing there.
When I learned about this special Black Belt test, I contacted the CEO of the USAT, Mr. David Askinas, and we determined that I indeed qualify for a promotion. This year, I am technically up for my 5th degree Black Belt test. I had every intention of testing in Korea this year, until I learned about this historical test. Due to the circumstances 11 years ago, I was adviced to apply for a skip promotion, which would allow me to test for my 6th degree Black Belt. I prepared all the necessary documents, including a 10 page thesis on my philosophy of Taekwondo, plus my Taekwondo resume that began in 1978. My application, thesis, and resume was reviewed in Korea, and... ACCEPTED!
Although I am thrilled that I have this opportunity to test for my 6th degree Black Belt, I am more excited that I made contact with my original instructor from 1978 because of this event. I was documenting him in my resume and wanted to confirm that I was spelling his name correctly, so I Googled him. Surprisingly, I found him! I had actually sought him out a few times over the past 15 years with no luck, therefore, I assumed he was no longer involved in martial arts. His name is Master Steve Bettencourt, and he has 7 schools in his organization. http://www.worldmusadofederation.com. He is still very much involved with martial arts!
I sent him an email explaining who I was. I was hoping that he would at least remember my father, who was a Black Belt at the time. He responded within 12 hours and remembers exactly who I am, as well as my entire family, even affter 31 years! We've been in touch since I made contact with him, and I hope to visit him and his schools this year.
See you in class!
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Thursday, December 11, 2008
It Starts With YOU!
On Monday, during our 5 week Fitness Bootcamp training, one of the participants had caught my attention. I wasn't teaching the class... my wife was. I was standing on the side holding our 10 month old daughter. I couldn't believe this girl. She was rotating through every station- mountain climbers, jump switch lunges, push ups, etc., and doing it 100%. Maybe you don't understand... some of these stations are very physically challenging and very enduring. While everyone was sweating and breathing hard, she was smokin' through the exercises. Perhaps I am amazed because it was my 3 year old daughter.
Granted, her petite, little, 30 pound frame (soaking wet) doesn't require much work to move around. There is a greater lesson here. About 90% of the things Rachel and I have said or done has been mimicked by our kids- Isaac and Reese, and even Zoey. Later that day, I pondered... "Are we good role models for Isaac, Reese, and Zoey? Are we setting the best example we can set?" I decided a long time ago, parenting is difficult, when it's done right. I also decided that it's easier than we all think, at the same exact time.
Let me explain when parenting is difficult. It's difficult when you teach your kids that smoking is bad, but you still smoke yourself. It's difficult when you teach your kids to not use foul language, but you continue to use foul language. It's difficult when you teach them not to fight with their siblings, when you are fighting with your spouse. It's difficult when you don't set and achieve goals, but you want your child to be successful at reaching their goals. It's difficult when you want your child to be healthy and active, but you aren't healthy and active yourself.
Get the picture? Much of what we want our children to learn can be taught simply by living the life we want our children to have. That is the simple part. Now, here is the caveat... if you are going to be a teacher, it's good that you show up to class. We have to be present to teach these life lessons. My wife and I have realized something over the past 2 weeks. We have become much closer as a family, and have had many great discussions about these very lessons. How? It's simple... dropped down to having only 1 car! Before you say, "Hold on a minute! We're not going down to one car, that's impossible!"
Let me explain. We got rid of our studio-apartment-on-wheels (H2 Hummer), and I bought a 1969 Ford Bronco to restore. Well, being that Rachel and I work in the same place and we're only 7 minutes from the Taekwondo school, we decided that 1 car will work, temporarily, for a week. 8 weeks later... and still driving 1 car, I'm still working on the Bronco. We decided that we are having a ball driving everyday as a family to and from the Taekwondo school. I decided that I would just keep the Bronco in the garage and continue to make greater headway in restoring it, instead of restoring and driving it simultaneously- which would slow the progress down immensely. I realize everyone is not in this same position, but that's not the point. Continue reading.
Several years ago, a parent in our program- Julie Oliver, who by the way, is still with us, told me something I will never forget. We were having a discussion about getting the kids to all of their activities. I told her, why don't you just hire a driver, then have just quality time elsewhere instead of just quantity time in the car. She said, "I actually cherish that time in the car, especially right after school, and from sports when the kids are the most chatty." She continued, and I won't forget this, "Quantity time = Quality time in my book."
Lesson #1
Overspend on time with your kids. I have a personal training client who is arguably the busiest person I know. He travels around the world frequently. He is the leader of a publicy traded company on the NASDAQ. When his time is limited, he does private Taekwondo lessons with his kids.
Other busy leaders I know do the following:
1. They volunteer on the playground.
2. They volunteer in the classroom.
3. They coach or assists with their child's sport team.
4. They join Taekwondo with their kids.
5. They take their kids to school or pick them up.
6. They teach them a hobby or a recreational sport on the weekends.
Lesson #2
The lessons start from you. Don't have a "Do what I say, not as I do" attitude. In our Taekwondo program, I have actually had parents cry to me, and thanking me for the guidance we have not only given their child, but have given them. It never occurred to them that things like Respect, Confidence, Self Esteem, and Goal Setting begins with them.
Over the years, I've actually grown to really love the UBC (Ultimate Body Challenge), because I've seen how it affects everyone's lives. Again, I've had participants become very emotional and thankful for the healthy lifestyle they have learned and adopted. More importantly, they are thankful that they now have the tools to pass on the same healthy lifestyle to their kids. More Info on The UBC.
It's amazing how many of us want to be healthy, and want to eat right, but we just don't know how to go about it. We really live in a culture that is unlike the rest of the world. Only in a America, is there a greater chance of dieing from obesity and heart disease, than from starvation.
My goal is to do everything I can to live long enough to enjoy Christmas with great grandchildren. Although, I am only 34 now, I intend to continue living a healthy lifestyle so that me and my family will be free from disease and happy for as long as possible.
Leading By Example
How to Teach Confidence
Allow your child to...
1. See you set goals.
2. See you struggle.
3. See you succeed.
4. Teach your child to follow 1,2 and 3.
How to Improve Your Child's Self Esteem
1. News Flash... Realize it has very little to do with your child.
2. Never use negative words that make a child feel defeated.
3. Allow them to take age appropriate risks. I find most parents would not allow a 3 year old to carry a carton of eggs because, "you might drop them." $1.99 is an age appropriate risk in my book. When you show a child that you believe in their ability, they will believe in themselves.
4. Ask your child about their opinion on something.
5. Take your child up on a recommendation. If their recommendation wasn't the best, make light of the situation and find something positive about it.
How to Teach Your Child to Not Give Up
1. Look in the mirror and ask yourself what project you started and never finished. Every project starts with enthusiasm. In the beginning you're excited, the spouse is excited, and the kids are excited. What happens down the road when nothing is ever brought to completion. NOTHING! A project should have a Beginning, a Journey, and a Destination. All three should be EXCITING, in their own way. Don't teach your child just the Beginning phase.
2. The Journey is the most difficult stage- encourage your child by pointing out small milestones and reminding them of the Destination.
3. Strive to achieve the Destination as much as possible.
How to Teach Your Child To Be Healthy and Active
1. What do your children see you doing for 1/3 of your life- eating, watching tv- sorry, you may call it "relaxing." We have 24 hours in a day- 8 hours for sleep, 8 hours for work, 8 hours for anything else. If you're like most, you're sedentary at work for 8 hours. Unless you sleep jog, you're sedentary for 8 hours in bed. Okay, what is going on for that other 1/3 of your day, or better yet, the other 1/3 of your life?
2. That's great that you go to the gym, but is it teaching your kids anything about the importance of exercise? Take them with you once a week.
3. Lose the cable TV! Between kids movies from the Library's weekly Bookmobile trip and Netflicks, we watch only what we sign up for. And, by the way, save like $90 a month.
4. Teach your child the components of food- Carbohydrates, Protein, and Fat, and what each of their purposes are. Don't know the purposes? Learn! Sign up for the UBC (Ultimate Body Challenge), and get the best education on exercise and eating to live a strong healthy lifestyle. Before long, your child will be asking you, "is this a carbohydrate or a protein?" What they really want to know is if they are feeding their organs or their muscles.
5. Join an activity where you move and sweat together. Hmmm... how about Taekwondo as a Family (big smile).
Hopefully, you've gathered that all the things I've mentioned above start from YOU. In fact, some start with you, and end with you. As for my 3 year daughter, don't expect to see her on the sidelines anytime soon, at least not as long as mom is setting the example.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Martial Art Lessons in Boise & Eagle
Granted, her petite, little, 30 pound frame (soaking wet) doesn't require much work to move around. There is a greater lesson here. About 90% of the things Rachel and I have said or done has been mimicked by our kids- Isaac and Reese, and even Zoey. Later that day, I pondered... "Are we good role models for Isaac, Reese, and Zoey? Are we setting the best example we can set?" I decided a long time ago, parenting is difficult, when it's done right. I also decided that it's easier than we all think, at the same exact time.
Let me explain when parenting is difficult. It's difficult when you teach your kids that smoking is bad, but you still smoke yourself. It's difficult when you teach your kids to not use foul language, but you continue to use foul language. It's difficult when you teach them not to fight with their siblings, when you are fighting with your spouse. It's difficult when you don't set and achieve goals, but you want your child to be successful at reaching their goals. It's difficult when you want your child to be healthy and active, but you aren't healthy and active yourself.
Get the picture? Much of what we want our children to learn can be taught simply by living the life we want our children to have. That is the simple part. Now, here is the caveat... if you are going to be a teacher, it's good that you show up to class. We have to be present to teach these life lessons. My wife and I have realized something over the past 2 weeks. We have become much closer as a family, and have had many great discussions about these very lessons. How? It's simple... dropped down to having only 1 car! Before you say, "Hold on a minute! We're not going down to one car, that's impossible!"
Let me explain. We got rid of our studio-apartment-on-wheels (H2 Hummer), and I bought a 1969 Ford Bronco to restore. Well, being that Rachel and I work in the same place and we're only 7 minutes from the Taekwondo school, we decided that 1 car will work, temporarily, for a week. 8 weeks later... and still driving 1 car, I'm still working on the Bronco. We decided that we are having a ball driving everyday as a family to and from the Taekwondo school. I decided that I would just keep the Bronco in the garage and continue to make greater headway in restoring it, instead of restoring and driving it simultaneously- which would slow the progress down immensely. I realize everyone is not in this same position, but that's not the point. Continue reading.
Several years ago, a parent in our program- Julie Oliver, who by the way, is still with us, told me something I will never forget. We were having a discussion about getting the kids to all of their activities. I told her, why don't you just hire a driver, then have just quality time elsewhere instead of just quantity time in the car. She said, "I actually cherish that time in the car, especially right after school, and from sports when the kids are the most chatty." She continued, and I won't forget this, "Quantity time = Quality time in my book."
Lesson #1
Overspend on time with your kids. I have a personal training client who is arguably the busiest person I know. He travels around the world frequently. He is the leader of a publicy traded company on the NASDAQ. When his time is limited, he does private Taekwondo lessons with his kids.
Other busy leaders I know do the following:
1. They volunteer on the playground.
2. They volunteer in the classroom.
3. They coach or assists with their child's sport team.
4. They join Taekwondo with their kids.
5. They take their kids to school or pick them up.
6. They teach them a hobby or a recreational sport on the weekends.
Lesson #2
The lessons start from you. Don't have a "Do what I say, not as I do" attitude. In our Taekwondo program, I have actually had parents cry to me, and thanking me for the guidance we have not only given their child, but have given them. It never occurred to them that things like Respect, Confidence, Self Esteem, and Goal Setting begins with them.
Over the years, I've actually grown to really love the UBC (Ultimate Body Challenge), because I've seen how it affects everyone's lives. Again, I've had participants become very emotional and thankful for the healthy lifestyle they have learned and adopted. More importantly, they are thankful that they now have the tools to pass on the same healthy lifestyle to their kids. More Info on The UBC.
It's amazing how many of us want to be healthy, and want to eat right, but we just don't know how to go about it. We really live in a culture that is unlike the rest of the world. Only in a America, is there a greater chance of dieing from obesity and heart disease, than from starvation.
My goal is to do everything I can to live long enough to enjoy Christmas with great grandchildren. Although, I am only 34 now, I intend to continue living a healthy lifestyle so that me and my family will be free from disease and happy for as long as possible.
Leading By Example
How to Teach Confidence
Allow your child to...
1. See you set goals.
2. See you struggle.
3. See you succeed.
4. Teach your child to follow 1,2 and 3.
How to Improve Your Child's Self Esteem
1. News Flash... Realize it has very little to do with your child.
2. Never use negative words that make a child feel defeated.
3. Allow them to take age appropriate risks. I find most parents would not allow a 3 year old to carry a carton of eggs because, "you might drop them." $1.99 is an age appropriate risk in my book. When you show a child that you believe in their ability, they will believe in themselves.
4. Ask your child about their opinion on something.
5. Take your child up on a recommendation. If their recommendation wasn't the best, make light of the situation and find something positive about it.
How to Teach Your Child to Not Give Up
1. Look in the mirror and ask yourself what project you started and never finished. Every project starts with enthusiasm. In the beginning you're excited, the spouse is excited, and the kids are excited. What happens down the road when nothing is ever brought to completion. NOTHING! A project should have a Beginning, a Journey, and a Destination. All three should be EXCITING, in their own way. Don't teach your child just the Beginning phase.
2. The Journey is the most difficult stage- encourage your child by pointing out small milestones and reminding them of the Destination.
3. Strive to achieve the Destination as much as possible.
How to Teach Your Child To Be Healthy and Active
1. What do your children see you doing for 1/3 of your life- eating, watching tv- sorry, you may call it "relaxing." We have 24 hours in a day- 8 hours for sleep, 8 hours for work, 8 hours for anything else. If you're like most, you're sedentary at work for 8 hours. Unless you sleep jog, you're sedentary for 8 hours in bed. Okay, what is going on for that other 1/3 of your day, or better yet, the other 1/3 of your life?
2. That's great that you go to the gym, but is it teaching your kids anything about the importance of exercise? Take them with you once a week.
3. Lose the cable TV! Between kids movies from the Library's weekly Bookmobile trip and Netflicks, we watch only what we sign up for. And, by the way, save like $90 a month.
4. Teach your child the components of food- Carbohydrates, Protein, and Fat, and what each of their purposes are. Don't know the purposes? Learn! Sign up for the UBC (Ultimate Body Challenge), and get the best education on exercise and eating to live a strong healthy lifestyle. Before long, your child will be asking you, "is this a carbohydrate or a protein?" What they really want to know is if they are feeding their organs or their muscles.
5. Join an activity where you move and sweat together. Hmmm... how about Taekwondo as a Family (big smile).
Hopefully, you've gathered that all the things I've mentioned above start from YOU. In fact, some start with you, and end with you. As for my 3 year daughter, don't expect to see her on the sidelines anytime soon, at least not as long as mom is setting the example.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Martial Art Lessons in Boise & Eagle
Monday, November 3, 2008
My Goal Setting Project
As you may know, goal setting is a huge part of my life. In fact, I practically set goals for everything. I believe that it's such a powerful tool, that I pass it on to all our students. For the past few months, I've been looking at several students goal setting projects. Every year, I am sure to set a goal right along side everyone else.
This year, I'm setting a goal that has created a little bit of excitement. I'm going to share it with everyone. By the way, the format is the exact one that I expect all the students to follow. I've shorten this goal to just phase I of the Bronco Project for easier readability.
Goal-
Restore a 1969 Ford Bronco (302 V8)- Phase I: Rebuild and restore engine and compartment.
Deadline-
Oct. 15th (2 weeks behind schedule)
Benefits-
- Always wanted to restore a Bronco
- Big challenge
- Will learn something new
- Something to be proud of
- The kids will have a blast riding in the Bronco
- Hopes of passing this car onto Isaac and teaching him how to care for it
- No monthly car payment
- Although it's not meant to be an investment, the car will be worth over twice as much money as we put into it (hard costs).
- The project creates an outlet to relieve stress (my therapy)
- Occasionally, the family get's involved with helping me.
- Develop a new appreciation for old engines and the mechanical masterpieces they really are.
- Safe automobile (built like a tank)
Action Plan-
- Purchase Ford overhaul manual
- Create parts & price list in Excel
- Create budget for different phases
- Line up help
- Line up tools
- Schedule days with family to devote to Bronco
- Determine which tools will be rented, borrowed, or purchased
- Select machine shop
- Create invoice folder
- Create work log
- Create schedule of work
- Commence work!
I've double checked and my goal is indeed SMART- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible. I also think of the T as Time Driven.
Check out the video clip of the completion of Phase I.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
http://www.freekaratelesson.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Secret to Goal Setting
Over the past year, I've had many people ask me about The Secret. I've considered making a blog post about it earlier, but decided against it because it seemed that enough people were already talking about it. Well, right now, in our Taekwondo program, we will be discussing Goal Setting and Self Discipline. So, I thought, what the hay. Let's discuss it briefly, but more importantly I'd rather utilize the internet bandwidth more profoundly by talking about something with more substance.
First, the whole premise to The Secret is the law of attraction. If you believe in something passionately enough, you will achieve it or aqcuire it. The first thing we must understand is that The Secret is not some uncovered mystical magic ingredient we've all been searching for. In fact, there are a whole slew of authors that have been preaching this stuff for years, ie. Zig Ziglar, Harv T. Ecker, and Brian Tracy. Even further back, you'll find authors such as Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale and Napoleon Hill talking about these very same concepts.
Then you have 90% of all athletes who have used the concept of law of attraction for decades. Quite honestly, I am not a fan of The Secret, but I am a fan of all the authors I mentioned above and here is why. The Secret basically says, do no planning in achieving your goals, just think passionately enough and you'll get there or acquire it. In fact, The Secret says you just need to picture your perfect body and you can eat anything you want. Hmmm... Check this out for real results on the perfect body- http://www.freekaratelesson.com/weight-loss.html
In my opinion, The Secret did so well because it seemed be the missing ingredient in many peoples lives. To add to that, the book or dvd appealed to even more people because you don't have to work for it, but rather think passionately about it and hope that you manifest whatever it is you want. There is one major, major difference between the book/dvd of The Secret and all the time tested classics of the legendary authors and it is this- You Need a Plan!
You don't make it to the Olympics in Taekwondo because you just dreamed about it. Michael Phelps isn't the great swimmer he is because he just hoped. The self made millionaires of the world didn't just think about it. The dad that is involved in his childs development didn't just wish he had more time with his kids. The child that stands up to a bully didn't just pray he would go unnoticed at school. All these people got off their rear end and did something. They formulated a plan and went through with it.
Here is my secret- if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Okay, enough about secrets. Let's chat about what makes people successful. When I say successful, I don't mean acquiring wealth. I mean accomplishing any goal you or any student might have. I believe 100%, if you teach your child how to accomplish goals now, they're going to be tackling monsterous things as an adult. But... here is the caveat. Goals start from mom and dad.
Suprisingly, I find many people that are content right where they are in life. As a former speaker, I also learned that people actually feared success. I've always heard about it, but never realized that I would meet people who were afraid to venture out and achieve something great.
Passenger airplanes fly 30,000 feet above the ground at 500 mph. When they land, they have all the weight that stresses the wheels, the gears, and the frame of the airplane. The airplanes have large maintenance costs because of the stress it receives from flying. There are literally hundreds of things that could go wrong with that plane while it is flying. All in all, it's dangerous for a plane to fly. Now, aeronautical engineers will tell you that it is significantly more dangerous for the plane to just sit on the runway. The static weight of the plane, and the rust that will form by sitting stagnant on the runway will ultimately wear out the plane faster than the one that ventures the skies.
It's dangerous for a ship to cross the ocean. It might not come back. It's more dangerous for the ship to ride an anchor in the harbor collecting barnacles.
It's dangerous for a farmer to plant crops. There might be a drought, there might be a flood. I think we all agree that it's more dangerous for the farmer to NOT plant the crops.
It's dangerous to set goals... we might not succeed. It might take too much effort. It might take too much time. Years ago, somebody said it would probably take him 5 years to get a Black Belt, and that he would be almost 50. I responded with, "...how old would you be in 5 years if you didn't go for your Black Belt?"
I encourage all parents and students to really take to heart the Goal Setting and Self Discipline homework assignments we will be distributing soon in the academy. I am going to be keeping my eyes peeled for some exciting goals out there. I am also excited to see the goals that our instructors will be setting for themselves.
I'd love to hear your comments on goal setting.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Martial Art Lessons in Boise & Eagle
First, the whole premise to The Secret is the law of attraction. If you believe in something passionately enough, you will achieve it or aqcuire it. The first thing we must understand is that The Secret is not some uncovered mystical magic ingredient we've all been searching for. In fact, there are a whole slew of authors that have been preaching this stuff for years, ie. Zig Ziglar, Harv T. Ecker, and Brian Tracy. Even further back, you'll find authors such as Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale and Napoleon Hill talking about these very same concepts.
Then you have 90% of all athletes who have used the concept of law of attraction for decades. Quite honestly, I am not a fan of The Secret, but I am a fan of all the authors I mentioned above and here is why. The Secret basically says, do no planning in achieving your goals, just think passionately enough and you'll get there or acquire it. In fact, The Secret says you just need to picture your perfect body and you can eat anything you want. Hmmm... Check this out for real results on the perfect body- http://www.freekaratelesson.com/weight-loss.html
In my opinion, The Secret did so well because it seemed be the missing ingredient in many peoples lives. To add to that, the book or dvd appealed to even more people because you don't have to work for it, but rather think passionately about it and hope that you manifest whatever it is you want. There is one major, major difference between the book/dvd of The Secret and all the time tested classics of the legendary authors and it is this- You Need a Plan!
You don't make it to the Olympics in Taekwondo because you just dreamed about it. Michael Phelps isn't the great swimmer he is because he just hoped. The self made millionaires of the world didn't just think about it. The dad that is involved in his childs development didn't just wish he had more time with his kids. The child that stands up to a bully didn't just pray he would go unnoticed at school. All these people got off their rear end and did something. They formulated a plan and went through with it.
Here is my secret- if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Okay, enough about secrets. Let's chat about what makes people successful. When I say successful, I don't mean acquiring wealth. I mean accomplishing any goal you or any student might have. I believe 100%, if you teach your child how to accomplish goals now, they're going to be tackling monsterous things as an adult. But... here is the caveat. Goals start from mom and dad.
Suprisingly, I find many people that are content right where they are in life. As a former speaker, I also learned that people actually feared success. I've always heard about it, but never realized that I would meet people who were afraid to venture out and achieve something great.
Passenger airplanes fly 30,000 feet above the ground at 500 mph. When they land, they have all the weight that stresses the wheels, the gears, and the frame of the airplane. The airplanes have large maintenance costs because of the stress it receives from flying. There are literally hundreds of things that could go wrong with that plane while it is flying. All in all, it's dangerous for a plane to fly. Now, aeronautical engineers will tell you that it is significantly more dangerous for the plane to just sit on the runway. The static weight of the plane, and the rust that will form by sitting stagnant on the runway will ultimately wear out the plane faster than the one that ventures the skies.
It's dangerous for a ship to cross the ocean. It might not come back. It's more dangerous for the ship to ride an anchor in the harbor collecting barnacles.
It's dangerous for a farmer to plant crops. There might be a drought, there might be a flood. I think we all agree that it's more dangerous for the farmer to NOT plant the crops.
It's dangerous to set goals... we might not succeed. It might take too much effort. It might take too much time. Years ago, somebody said it would probably take him 5 years to get a Black Belt, and that he would be almost 50. I responded with, "...how old would you be in 5 years if you didn't go for your Black Belt?"
I encourage all parents and students to really take to heart the Goal Setting and Self Discipline homework assignments we will be distributing soon in the academy. I am going to be keeping my eyes peeled for some exciting goals out there. I am also excited to see the goals that our instructors will be setting for themselves.
I'd love to hear your comments on goal setting.
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Martial Art Lessons in Boise & Eagle
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sunday Stroll...at 600 MPH in a Fighter Jet
6:03 pm- I arrive with Rachel, Isaac, Reese, and Zoey to the Appleton Hanger, home of the Hawker Hunter fighter jet. Steve Appleton, one of my Taekwondo training clients, invited me to fly with him in his privately owned Hawker Hunter.The Hawker Hunter is a British fighter jet originally used by the Royal Air Force. Later, it was exported and used by 19 other air forces. Two countries were known to have been the most enthusiastic about the fighter jet, Sweden and Singapore, and always improving the plane. Steve’s Hawker Hunter actually came from the Singapore Airforce.
6:05 pm- Steve’s wife, Dalynn, asks, “So are you ready?”
My response, “I think so.” As I think about the 20 ounce coffee I just had on the way to the hanger. Give me a break! I was camping all weekend and was exhausted. I wanted to ensure that I would be 100% alert for this experience.
Dalynn, gave me some tips, “Tighten your legs, push your feet into the floor, and if you feel sick, Steve will give you a bag to carry with you.”
6:10 pm- “Are you ready?” says a cheerful Steve.
Part of me felt like snapping to attention and saying sir, yes sir! Apparently, I prepared myself too much by envisioning every scene from Top Gun prior to this day. I settled for, “Yes, sir.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
“Only breakfast, then a bowl of cereal at 3 pm.”
“Good.”
“Oh, actually, I had an iced coffee on the way over here.”
“You should be fine.”
I left out the part that it was 20 ounces, and a white chocolate mocha. Remember, I’m going to be flying at around mach 1 in a fighter jet. I think I need to be alert, right?
6:20 pm- We’re waiting for the fuel guy to come gas up the jet. Steve is frustrated. I’m relieved. I can’t stop thinking about how dumb it was to drink a 20 ounce white chocolate mocha just before I’m about to fly. The more time that passes, the better.
6:25 pm- Dang! Fuel guy is here!
6:35 pm- We’re in the flight suit room. For the record, that’s the name I gave this room. Again, visions of Top Gun begin flashing through my brain. All I can think about are the funky helmets that sport the call signs like- Viper, Maverick, and Iceman.
After I suit up, Steve hands me a neatly folded vomit bag to place in a pocket, strategically placed, just 5 inches below my neck. Great. Dalynn must’ve told him what kind of coffee I had.
6:40 pm- The excitement is truly beginning. I climb up the ladder on the glossy black fighter jet. Sitting inside this extraordinary machine was exhilarating. Although, with my tall frame, it was much like sitting in a Miata.
Seated in the plane, Steve remained on the ladder to go over important information. Not your normal flight attendant, seat belts low across the hips, 2 exits, type of spiel either. I’m talking about if you think we’re going to die, eject- type of spiel.
“If you hear me say, ‘Eject, Eject, Eject’, don’t ask any questions because you’ll be talking to yourself.” Now, I know good and well the chances of this situation are slim, but it’s still a possibility, so I paid attention like I never did before. In fact, my Sophomore English teacher would have been proud. At this point, I knew how to eject myself from the plane, should the occasion arise. In fact, I was so intrigued by the ejection seat, I couldn’t help, but to think, “What if I ejected just for fun.” Note to self- Edit this last sentence of the Blog before allowing Steve to see it.
I’m not sure if you’re familiar with G forces, it’s the amount of force one experiences when accelerating. 3 G’s refers to your body experiencing a force 3 times that of gravity. In some cases, pilots can actually pass out during flight.
“In the event that I pass out, and we’re at a high enough altitude that time is not too critical, I would appreciate it if you would eject my seat. If we’re going down fast, then take care of yourself.”
Quite frankly, I could only nod my head. My only thoughts, at that moment, was Steve’s wonderful family. I’m willing to bet, Steve made this request because he too had only one thought, his wonderful family. Steve reassured me that he'll do the same for me.
6:45 pm- Steve climbs in and begins flipping all sorts of switches and pushing buttons. All of a sudden, two screens light up with Window XP booting up. I mean this next statement no harm to PC users, in fact I am a proud PC user with MS Windows. Honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about how my laptop seems to be having problems with viruses and spyware. I couldn’t bring myself to ask Steve if he had Norton Antivirus loaded on his plane. Note to self- delete this, too.
I’m sure it didn’t have Norton Antivirus, nor did it need it. Steve had this plane 100% equipped with the most amazing, cutting edge, modern technology, built specifically for this plane.
6:50 pm- We’re up in the air. So far, so good! And, the take off was amazing. It didn’t take long before we were really high and going really fast. Really high and really fast is highly technical aviation speak.
6:55 pm- We’re heading into the Owyhee Canyon. Did you notice the time difference? It was about 5 minutes! I believe it takes about 2 hours to drive to this particular part of the canyon.
Literally, before I know it, we are down inside the canyon... the canyon with recreational boaters, jet skiers, etc. I have know I idea how close we were to the water, but I can tell you, I was looking at the canyon walls, and we were below the tops of them. I’ll have to admit, I was mildly scared as we were tearing through there at 500 to 600 mph. At the same time, I was absolutely amazed at how Steve flew this plane so effortlessly and gracefully, carving from right to left. I couldn’t help imagining the awe we must have struck in the boaters below.
The end of the canyon was approaching, and Steve says, “When I tell you to, squeeze your legs tightly.” My response, “I haven’t stopped squeezing since we took off.” Thanks for the tip, Dalynn!
We shoot out of the canyon like a bullet, straight up in the air. Straight up… like towards outer space straight up! Just before we both were about to become astronauts, Steve did a “half loop”. I’m still replaying it in my mind, trying to figure out exactly what we did. All I know is that all of a sudden, the earth reappeared from the wrong direction. Perhaps, I need to go on a second ride just to make sure I know what we did. Note to self- bold last sentence so Steve reads it.
Sometime pm- It’s time for me to fly the jet. The Hawker Hunter is equipped with two “sticks” to fly the plane. Steve says, “Go ahead, take the stick.” Nervously, I grab the stick right in front of me and begin taking the plane up and up and up. “Okay, go ahead and bring it back down.” So I push the stick forward to level us out. I’m trying to get us to 10,000 feet. The slightest push forward makes me feel like an elevator dropping from the 50th floor to 0 in 1 second.
Steve takes control of the plane and introduces me to the “barrel role”. I believe the barrel role is a defensive maneuver used in air to air combat, aka- “dog fighting.” It’s when the plane completely roles sideways 360 degrees and returning to a rightside up position.
“Here, you give it a try.”
“What??? You’re kidding me!”
“Just take the stick and push it all the way to the left.”
Hesitantly, I took the stick and pushed it to one side and sure enough, the plane obeyed the movement from the stick, with what seemed like the grace of a ballerina.
“Can I go the other way?”, but this time, with much enthusiasm.
“Sure!”
I’m hooked! In fact, you can just start calling me Maverick. Wait, I hear Tom Cruise is a little crazy… how about Iceman. (Knowledge of Top Gun required for last statement)
Sometime later pm- I absolutely enjoyed the flight immensely. I am slightly disappointed in the stimulation overload my body experienced. The exhilaration was like drinking from a fire hose. Things happened so fast, I literally had to come home, lay down, and close my eyes to replay the entire flight in my mind. When you experience that much stimulation, it truly is very difficult to take in all at once. Two words sum up the experience- Truly Amazing!
8:15 pm- I handed back the same neatly folded vomit bag back to Steve.
Currently, I have been training Steve in Taekwondo. We've been training pretty intensely since he is determined to get his Black Belt. I could be mistaken, but I believe just as Rachel was snapping this picture, he was muttering, "You're in my world now, buddy!"
Moments before we begin taxing.
The helmet is gray, and it doesn't say Maverick or Iceman on it, but you can clearly see, I'm still happy to be here!
This picture was taken just after a bogey shot out our fuel tanks. Fortunately, the onboard Windows XP is capable of crash recovery!
Thanks for the ride, Steve!
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
http://www.FreeKarateLesson.com
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