Damian Mavis
Master Black Belt
Ok instructors, tell me what you think of this.
When I first started teaching my own branches 9 years ago I was doing ALOT for my students. I was giving them deals, driving them to tournaments and testings every couple of weeks, teaching during Christmas and ALL other holidays never taking a vacation for the 1 or 2 students that wanted to train at that time and other similar things that cost me time or money. Now my instructor back in the day saw some of the things I was doing and he said to me: "don't do anything for anyone" Meaning don't do so much for my students. I hated him for saying that, I thought he was a horrible person and he had no clue what a good martial arts instructor was all about.
Now 9 years later I remember fondly what he said and I think "did he know I was such a stupid *** and totally naive?". I totally agree with my old instructor now and wish I had paid better attention to his valuable lesson.
The reason I feel this way is this: are those people you help going to appreciate the sacrifice and the things you do for them or are they going to take it for granted? Are those people you go out of your way for, going to be there and support the school a few years down the road? Probably not. After teaching for 9 years I realise that you can't be too nice, or people will not respect it. People unfortunately respect what they pay money for, no more than that. You do extra and they start to think it's part of what you owe them or they simply don't think much of it at all. Now that I do less, my students seem to appreciate me more! The things I do now seem more important and special to them and to me it's just doing my job. I no longer teach on holidays, I don't give deals unless they are extremely dedicated and I don't drive anyone anywere. What I do is give good instruction at an excellent rate and people appreciate that alone.
So instructors, tell me what you think!
Damian Mavis
Honour TKD
When I first started teaching my own branches 9 years ago I was doing ALOT for my students. I was giving them deals, driving them to tournaments and testings every couple of weeks, teaching during Christmas and ALL other holidays never taking a vacation for the 1 or 2 students that wanted to train at that time and other similar things that cost me time or money. Now my instructor back in the day saw some of the things I was doing and he said to me: "don't do anything for anyone" Meaning don't do so much for my students. I hated him for saying that, I thought he was a horrible person and he had no clue what a good martial arts instructor was all about.
Now 9 years later I remember fondly what he said and I think "did he know I was such a stupid *** and totally naive?". I totally agree with my old instructor now and wish I had paid better attention to his valuable lesson.
The reason I feel this way is this: are those people you help going to appreciate the sacrifice and the things you do for them or are they going to take it for granted? Are those people you go out of your way for, going to be there and support the school a few years down the road? Probably not. After teaching for 9 years I realise that you can't be too nice, or people will not respect it. People unfortunately respect what they pay money for, no more than that. You do extra and they start to think it's part of what you owe them or they simply don't think much of it at all. Now that I do less, my students seem to appreciate me more! The things I do now seem more important and special to them and to me it's just doing my job. I no longer teach on holidays, I don't give deals unless they are extremely dedicated and I don't drive anyone anywere. What I do is give good instruction at an excellent rate and people appreciate that alone.
So instructors, tell me what you think!
Damian Mavis
Honour TKD