FEB 2018
WADE LAW GROUP
THE LEGAL ISSUE 408-842-1688
www.WadeLitigation.com
MARTIAL ARTS IN THE OFFICE
In the last six months during the testing phase, we were both pushed to our limits. That’s how your instructor makes sure you’ve earned your belt. You’re graded on everything you do, very strictly. It’s how you learn respect. You’re not only competing against other classmates, but you’re challenging yourself. Your teachers make you do additional drills and push you to the limit, constantly propelling you further to see what you’re capable of: Respect . You’re being critiqued six days a week and putting yourself through the ringer to meet their standards: Discipline . To earn the belt, you need to have a high enough score, and it’s a baseball system — three strikes, and you’re out. If you don’t do what is asked of you, there are repercussions. If you get three strikes, you can’t test again for eight months. So it’s a stressful, high-stakes situation. They’re testing you to see if you’re qualified to compete. When I finally got my belt, I felt very proud, because I knew I’d earned it. A black belt, like many things in life, isn’t given. It’s earned. Though I don’t compete anymore, I still train. And the philosophy I’ve learned through the martial arts and through most sports is something that I frequently call upon when I make business decisions. Last month, I welcomed two new members of our firm. When I hire someone, amongst other qualifications, I look for signs that they are disciplined and respectful. I’m looking for consistency in someone I’m going to work with. Discipline : I look for people who are excellent team members and who are conscientious about the work they’re doing. Respect : I seek people who are good at what they do, but also well-rounded. I found these qualities in our new attorney, Brian, and in our new client relations staff. I’m so glad to welcome them, and I look forward to starting this year off with an even stronger team — one that’s founded on discipline and respect.
The martial arts are grounded in respect. You learn respect for your teacher and for your fellow students. They’re also grounded in discipline, which you learn from training. To reach the next level, you have to commit to a regimen. You can’t earn a black belt without understanding these concepts. When I earned mine 10 years ago, I learned the foundations that would guide me not only in taekwondo, but in many aspects of life. Thanks to their many lessons, the martial arts have become a family activity for us. My daughter has a black belt, too, and she’s the reason I got into martial arts in the first place. She started a karate class, and I decided it would be a cool experience for us to have together. We trained every week and worked toward a common goal, and it brought us together during the highs and lows. Reaching that final belt was hard for both of us, no doubt about it. Honestly, my daughter probably hated it at times. It’s not easy. There were times I pushed her to stick with it, because I knew that despite the challenges, it would be something she’d be happy she did. Any of you with kids have been in that same place, I’m sure, when you encourage your child not to give up on an activity. You want them to learn discipline, right? “A black belt, like many things in life, isn’t given. It’s earned.”
We all look forward to getting to know you.
Respectfully yours,
–Amiel Wade
1 408-842-1688
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