Seven Qualities of a
Champion
Date: Tuesday,
October 23
Topic: JhoonRhee
Speaks
The "Seven
Qualities of a Champion" encapsulates Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee's
personal philosophy about the keys to happiness, which, he
believes, are created when we transform our highest ideals,
thoughts, and emotions into physical action. Martial arts are
an educational tool to discipline and unite the mind and body.
Martial arts training develops seven basic physical qualities
that can be transformed into corresponding human emotions
that, over time, will create positive human qualities that
will become engrained in our character.
Master Rhee
originally presented the full text of "Seven Qualities" at a
Tools for Achievement seminar in Greenbelt, Maryland, on
September 21, 1995. Below is a condensed version of that
original presentation.
Knowing the purpose of life is
to find happiness, and the basis for happy living is a healthy
body. Knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and
strength in the body build true confidence. If our lives
embrace these three basic human qualities, we will never bear
the twin burdens of regret for the things that we did in our
lives but know in our hearts that we should not have done and
those things we should have done but we did not do. If we
develop this way of living, nothing will ever bother us again.
A true human being is an educator not by words alone
but by serving as an example to others. The purpose of
knowledge is to take action from good habits. The martial arts
are an action philosophy, and the soul of martial arts is
discipline. An individual without discipline is like a piece
of steel without carbon or a tree cut off from its root.
Generally, there are seven basic physical qualities
developed through martial arts trainin. These physical
qualities can easily be transformed into their corresponding
human emotions, and over time, these emotions will create
positive human qualities that become ingrained as part of our
character. These seven qualities of a champion are:
1. Quickness, Alertness, and Market Change
Awareness
Mind and body must be synchronized so
that thought and the resultant action become virtually one. In
today's fast-paced business environment, deferring action on a
decision made today until tomorrow often means a lost
opportunity.
2. Endurance, Perseverance, and
Persistence
Just as development in the martial
arts requires long hours of practice, success in life often
requires perseverance. Research has shown that 80 percent of
sales are made on the fourth or fifth approach to a customer,
and only 20 percent are made on the first, second, or third
sales attempt.
3. Timing, Punctuality, and Delivery
on Time
The discipline to respect our own use of
time is one way to develop self-respect, the first step toward
respect for others. Being punctual is the first basis for
success in business; it is one of the major building blocks
upon which our business reputation is built.
4.
Power, Knowledge, and Financial Strength
Knowledge
and wisdom are built by listening to reason and conscience.
Knowledge and wisdom are like power a student develops through
practice in the martial arts: constant exercise of our
abilities leads to success and happiness.
5.
Balance, Rationality, and Balancing Supply & Demand
A balance of wisdom, good character, and health are
essential to build a rational and productive life. If our
words and actions are at odds, we introduce irrationality and
instability into our lives and society.
6.
Flexibility, Gentleness, and Adaptability
Gentleness goes hand-in-hand with flexibility, the
ability to adjust and respond naturally to whatever
circumstances and events we may encounter in life. Like water,
if we learn to yield to others, we can learn to work together
to build a better world of truth, beauty, and love that leads
to happiness.
7. Posture, Honesty, and Business
Integrity
Honesty and posture derive from balanced
beauty in mind and body. The posture of integrity in business
is an important key to success.
The purpose of
knowledge is to take action. A great source of human energy
results when we set our minds on a specific goal and set out
to accomplish it. Energy follows thought like a heat-seeking
missile. The determination to succeed will immediately be
followed by the energy to succeed. Success breeds more
success.
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