Why It’s Important to have a Personal Code

In martial arts, one of the thing many students appreciate is the self-discipline that comes from trying to improve yourself. Many disciplines of martial arts work to instill this kind of self-respect in its students. But why is that so important, and why is having a personal "code" so great? After all, aren't martial arts simply all about teaching you how to defend yourself? Let's explore that topic.

1. Having a personal code means more self-discipline. Discipline doesn't mean that you always are motivated to do the right thing - it means that you have the command over yourself to do the right thing, even when you don't feel motivated to do it. Every one of us has this kind of experience, whether we try to work out in the early morning or avoid that second slice of cake. When you place your personal code above your own guilty pleasures, you develop a self-discipline that you don't have without that code.

2. Having a personal code helps determine principles for action. Having a personal code of conduct or honor means that you can cut through some of the ambiguity in life. Sometimes, for example, we don't feel comfortable helping others if no one else seems to be taking notice of those in need. In that case, helping others could put us under a social spotlight. But a person who has a strong personal code knows that helping that person is all the more effective because you're putting yourself out there. Think about the time you saw a waitress spill something and no one helped clean it up. Did you want to help, but didn't because no one else was? A personal code helps you take right action in daily life, not just in the martial arts dojo.

3. People will respect you the more you respect yourself. When you have a personal code, it means you respect yourself enough to live by certain rules. You take care of yourself and those around you. When you respect yourself, others follow your lead. For example, if you take your time management seriously, you'll be more willing to tell others when you need to leave. This makes them realize that your time is something you value, and they don't want to infringe upon that.

Having a personal code doesn't only help you build self-discipline, it helps you lead a healthy and happy life. How's that for self-defense?

Photo Credits: UNC - CFC - USFK

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ambiguity, code of conduct, disciplines, do the right thing, guilty pleasures, helping others, Martial Arts, personal code, self discipline, self respect, slice of cake, spill, spotlight, time management, waitress

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Posted by Martial Arts Karate Kung Fu on October 19, 2009 in Martial Arts. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.