Teaching With Passion
By CPMAstudio In InsightThere are few better places and times for a business conference than Cozumel, Mexico in February. That being said, I was bracing for the usual litany of PowerPoint-driven lectures when we registered for the Coz Talks Martial Arts Business Conference. Hester and I needed some new ideas and were in grave need of rest and relaxation. We thought we’d mine some good points to consider and then get some sun. Instead, we found ourselves surrounded by some of the most enthusiastic and intellectually interesting people I have ever spent time with. We were so engrossed in learning that we barely noticed when the sun went down.
Why? Everyone there was genuinely living their passion and helping people live better lives every day. It was one of the simplest and most profound lessons I’ve ever learned. Were they all disciplined professionals? Absolutely. However, they all led with their values, their purpose, and their unflagging enthusiasm and passion for helping other people.
Frankly, it was just the reframe I needed. Hester and I are always looking to make our martial arts studio better, but it is easy to focus on things like signage, staff manuals, marketing, or changing the floor plan. Those things are important, and we learned a lot about that. However, the craft of running a business comes a distant second to the central reason we’re teaching martial arts in the first place: to change lives and help people. That lesson came through loud and clear.
We spent time talking with school owners who have been teaching martial arts for as long as I’ve been alive, who own two, five, even two hundred schools (really). They still train, teach, and get down on one knee to help tie kids’ belts for their first class. Every day. They’re working to create futures for their staff, so getting a Black Belt is not just a childhood educational experience; it’s also a rewarding career path. Every day. They teach with passion and purpose and have a great time doing it. That was our goal when we opened Centerpoint, and it was incredibly affirming to be with such a great group of people who felt the exact same way.
Getting a little sun didn’t hurt, either.
— Andy