Confusing the Tool With the Work

In martial arts training, one should be careful to know what one's goals are, and what are the tools used to achieve those goals. Many people mix these up.

When the two are confused, it becomes important to pass a belt test, it becomes important to be a 3rd degree black belt, it becomes important to have the title "Master".

An example from one of my other pursuits is my goal of running a 5K race in under 20 minutes. That goal is a fake goal. It doesn't really matter how fast I can run a 5K. What is really important to me is that I get outside and get myself into great physical health. While out there doing the work to get my body in shape, I get time to be by myself with my thoughts. I get time to test the limits of my physical speed, and the limits of my endurance. I get to face the enemy that is ME. In doing all that I am keeping my mind and spirit healthy. 

So, the 20 minute 5K pales in importance next to all this, it does, however have importance. It has a job. The purpose of that 20 minute 5K is to motivate me to get up in the morning, get going, and push myself. I hope that I never forget the real goal behind the fake goal.

I have seen countless people confuse the FAKE goals of martial arts with the real ones. Martial arts training can be a tool you can use to achieve real goals. The fake goals are those silly belts we were, the silly titles we attach such meaning to, the ranks and prestige and all that fluff. Those are FAKE goals. The real goals of martial arts for me include strengthening the body, facing adversity, having fun, building coordination and discipline, and the list goes on.

The litmus test is this:

If you would train diligently regardless of the promise of a belt. If you would train as hard whether or not there was a test coming, if you would pursue mastery knowing that no one would ever call you "master", then those things are your fake goals.

Fake goals are good to have. The danger is believing they are the real goals.