"Wait a minute! I only just started Karate and now you're talking to me about quitting already. What do you think I am - an undisciplined, unmotivated loser or what?"
OK, maybe you're right, maybe I shouldn't talk to you about quitting yet but I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from the beginning about the different reasons why people quit karate. By knowing this you will know which pitfalls to avoid.
There are some common reasons for quitting karate that are often beyond our control such as lack of money, moving out of the area, illness or injury, change in family circumstances, the death of a loved one, and other unfortunate circumstances. Although all of these are valid reasons I will list in this short article the reasons that are within our control.
Here are some of the most common reasons in no particular order.
· Loss of interest
· Failure on a promotion test
· Disagreements with fellow members and/or instructor
· The curriculum is too hard or too easy
· Feeling like you're not getting it
· Feeling intimidated and overwhelmed
· Not getting out of it what you want
· Conflict of values
· Karate is not what you thought it would be
· Negatively comparing yourself to others
· Worried about injury
· Lack of control shown by fellow members when sparring
As always there are many more reasons why people quit karate and the list could go on but above are some of the more common reasons. I would venture to say that many of these reasons are self-made and are fear-based. If you are looking to get started in the martial arts then you might want to take a moment for some honest introspection and ask yourself if you are likely to quit for any of the above reasons. If you are, then it will be even more important that you do your research beforehand and find a school that matches your goals and your values.
My own instructor once told me, "Never be afraid of failure if you try your best". If you follow this advice then quitting the martial arts probably won't be a viable option.
If you want some more tips on how to make a successful start in your karate practice then check out my FREE Report "Karate for Newcomers: How To Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice". You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com/investigator.html
Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.
