Being On Time
One of the things I notice about students and parents is being on time. This is an important topic that should be addressed and its important for all of us to learn including myself. As someone who isn’t perfect on being time I have learned a great deal of having this mindset for myself and my students in my karate school in Las Vegas. As a I continue to teach martial arts in Las Vegas valley, I want to be able to share my thoughts on some ideas and strategies to stay on time and create better habits of being punctual.
Self Reflection on myself
lets face it, I am not perfect by any means. So before I type this article, I have made so many mistakes from not showing on time for class and have been late to many of my classes myself. often times I have realized these mistakes have happened due to poor judgement on choices throughout the day. Or not creating situations to make myself better. It is important to take accountability to ensure I on make those mistakes again and create a mindset in which I can improve on my business’ as a whole and be on time for my classes. Of course 99% of the time I have been and things have happened both in my personal and professional life that have effected my performance delivering our martial arts service to my clients and I apologize for that.
What Things Can I do be on time for class?
- Prioritize the Class: Recognize the importance of your martial arts class. Remind yourself why you are attending in the first place – be it fitness, discipline, self-defense, or passion.
- Plan Ahead: Lay out your uniform and any equipment you need the night before. If you’re going to the class straight from work or another commitment, pack everything you need in advance. Having a set schedule for your day is important so you can be on a weekly schedule. Ideally you can set an class schedule like this. ( I’m using my schedule )
MON & WED 5PM
TUES & THURS. 5:45PM
FRI 5:30PM
Having a set schedule make sure you can organize your time well and know when your class is. Though this is silly to say this, I am just saying to commit to a time during the week so you can focus on that to show up on time.
- Set Reminders: Use your phone or another electronic device to set alarms or reminders. This will help ensure you start getting ready with enough time to spare. Setting reminders can be benefit in the beginning but after at least a 90 day habit you should get the hang of things so eventually it just becomes a habit.
- Allow for Traffic and Delays: Always factor in extra time for potential delays, especially if the dojo or gym is far from your home or work.
- Stick to a Routine: Create a pre-class routine. This could include packing your gear, having a snack, and doing some light stretching. Over time, this routine will become a cue that it’s time to get ready for class.
- Pre-Class Warm-Up: If you find yourself consistently arriving just on time or slightly late because you’re trying to fit in a workout beforehand, consider getting to the dojo earlier and doing your warm-up there.
- Stay Accountable: Let a friend or family member know your schedule. Sometimes, knowing that someone else is aware can motivate you to be on time.
- Stay Informed: Ensure you’re updated about any schedule changes. Most schools will have a system for notifying students of any changes to class times or locations.
- Sleep Schedule: Ensure you’re getting adequate sleep. If you’re well-rested, you’re more likely to be alert and less likely to oversleep or run behind.
- Visual Cues: Place your martial arts belt, uniform, or gear in a visible spot. Seeing these items can act as a reminder of your upcoming class.
- Choose Optimal Class Times: If possible, choose a class time that naturally fits your schedule. If you’re always rushing from work to an early evening class, see if there’s a later class that might be more manageable.
- Commitment and Discipline: At its core, martial arts teaches discipline. Apply this discipline to your time management, and view being punctual as part of your training.
- Feedback Loop: If you do run late, take a moment to reflect on the reason. Was it avoidable? What could you do differently next time? Use every experience as a learning opportunity.
Lastly, always communicate with your instructor if you know you’ll be late or have to miss a class. It’s a sign of respect and allows them to adjust plans accordingly. Remember, being punctual is a sign of respect to both your instructor and your fellow students.
Being on Time as lifestyle
We need to all work on this and ensure that we can create good habits for life. Its essential as a business owner that we are doing are best to create a good habits for all of us.
-Sensei Lorenzo
Ageless Martial Arts