This article is based on an original post by Adam Bein, a student in several Global Martial Arts University (GMAU) programs, including Shotokan Karate.
You’ve signed up to learn a martial art through the Global Martial Arts University. You pay your fee and you’ve started to watch videos and practice. Wouldn’t it be nice to know what hurdles YOU face studying martial arts online due to YOUR specific personality type that other people who have a personality type different from yours DON’T have to deal with or face?
Another way to look at this is: how does your type of personality get in the way of advancing in online martial-arts training? Furthermore, how can you leverage the benefits of YOUR personality type to maximize returns and advancement in online martial arts training?
The big question is: Is understanding your personality type key to excelling and progressing, and not dropping out of, online martial arts training? I say “Yes! Understand yourself and your chances of advancement in online martial-arts training are significantly greater.”
What Type of Personality Do I Have?
There’s a personality categorizing test called the ‘Kiersey Temperament Sorter‘ (sometimes known as the Meyers Briggs Personality Test) that, through a series of approximately 80 questions, any individual can discover their dominant personality type, how they function and perceive the world around them, how people with that personality type make decisions, what they prefer, their needs, and their motivation.
Let’s explore these personality types.
The Member
Are you a person who leans towards membership, being part of a community, finding comfort in functioning in a group setting? If so, you might excel in online martial-arts training if you get other people to join you in a weekly training session.
Ask family members, friends, people from your church, youth group, other clubs or organizations to join you. All of you can learn the martial art as you follow along to your online training classes together. Succeeding and advancing as a group or a team might be exactly what you, and they, need!
The Perfectionist
Are you a person who strives toward perfection in your skills or knowledge? Are you extremely self-critical, self-doubting, yet you have an inquiring mind?
Of this describes you, consider toning down your tenseness. Moreso than the other personality types, you must learn to accept your imperfections and the mistakes you make on your way to mastery. You WILL reach competency! You WILL excel at your chosen martial art(s).
Think of your martial-arts trainign this way: you’re never on the verge of failure. You’re an interesting, brave individual and you WILL be skilled! You might need to take it down a notch and relax, however. Enjoy the process, enjoy the journey.
The Butterfly
Are you a butterfly? Do you go from one exciting endeavor to another? Do you get quickly bored with the mundane?
If this is you, try incorporate your martial-arts training into the pursuit of your own identity. Time your learning and enthusiasm in the correct dosages and stick with it. Think of your training as an ongoing effort towards becoming the complete person you want to be!
The Action Star
Are you a person of action? Do you find repetition boring, but the freedom to do what you want is exciting?
YOU can work or practice for hours! Martial arts is fun and exciting! Wow, look at you — preciseness, boldness, timing!
But one thing you must learn is that improvng in your chosen style(s) and leveling up in rank does not happen by accident or by repetition alone. Instead, success requires analysis, goal setting, and not abandoning this endeavor when boredom strikes.
One of the keys to YOUR success in learning with the Global Martial Arts University is to realize that this race is not a sprint. It’s a marathon that requires levels of sustained attention that you may prefer to avoid. After all, you’re a doer. But you need to develop a training plan and stick with it.
So GMAU student, which type of person are you … the Member, the Perfectionist, the Butterfly, or the Action Star?
It may be important to understand yourself and your personality type so you can custom tailor your training to fit YOUR personality and, therefore, steer away from the pitfalls unique to you so you can excel in your online learning.
Global Martial Arts University
The Global Martial Arts University can help you bring out the best IN you. Whether you thrive on the energy of a team or find your strength in solitary focus, our programs are adaptable to your unique rhythm and goals.
By choosing the Global Martial Arts University, you gain access to structured programs that help you stay the course while being flexible so you can master techniques at your own pace.
Don’t let your potential go untapped—enroll in one of our programs today to start turning your natural traits into your greatest martial-arts assets.
The GMAU has 6 major martial-arts courses for you to choose from. Train at home at a fraction of the cost of “brick and mortar” school fees!
Navigate to any of the courses on the GMAU website and click on the JOIN NOW FREE button to set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training IMMEDIATELY!
