Xue Sheng
All weight is underside
Old story but I like to throw it out were applicable
Fast Advancement
- Thread starter Thelardking
- Start date
I was going to look for that one but you beat me to it!
You first post in this thread showed no maturity at all. This post that is quoted is a little better.
Time.
Training time.
Class Time.
Learning Time.
Teaching Time.
They all mean different things.
I have been training for 22+ Years. Does this mean I have been working out every minute of ever day? Nope. But I have the knowledge to talk a good game and to walk and carry myself with what I present.
Working tens harder at math (* i.e. ten times more problems *) but still doing the it the wrong way does not make you better or derserving.
Putting the cake into the oven at 450 Degrees F will have it cook, but putting it in at 1350 Deg F will not make it cook three times faster. It make be "COOKED" but it will not be edible or presentable or usable.
Working hard at home and doing well can get you to be better. It can also get the instructor to teach you more if you actually grasp it.
I am not sure about whom to reccomend to get you your rank in that time period. I do not hang out with those that would do this.
Good Luck
As others have said... no. In addition to the physical skills, there must be an understanding of what you are doing, and why - and that takes much longer than the physical skills to develop. Spending more time in practice can accelerate the process - but often it doesn't, as in the story Xue Sheng posted above, and even when it does, it won't accelerate the process the way you seem to be hoping.
If you want something that will look good on you resume, then instead of worrying about your rank, find something where you can help people - volunteer work, perhaps. If you want to improve your MA skills at the same time, then I would suggest seeing if you can help instruct; even at your stated rank of yellow belt, you could help with a kids' class, and as you advance (if you do) you can help with anyone junior to yourself. In addition, teaching someone else a skill does much more for your understanding how to perform it and apply it correctly than anything else.
Again, as has been said - no one who reads your resume is likely to be impressed by any rank below black belt (if that) unless they have experience in MA of some type, at which point they're likely to be wary of anyone who advanced too quickly.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
yup, now ya beat ME to it :rofl:
Well ... I'd agree with the volunteer service, though interestingly enough, community service is becoming old hat with many admittance committees.
Look ... if you wanna wow them with something - find a need in the community, get funding and carry out a service project that vastly improves a needy faction. There are *plenty* of opportunities to volunteer.
If you don't want the hassle and just want to attend a belt factory, then find a TKD or non-specific Karate school who has monthly gradings, join, and see how high you can get. But do us all a favor ... recognize what you're really doing it for and don't pretend to be more than what you are - the purchaser of a belt.
Perhaps you'd do better to find a *good* school or a *good* teacher, learn what you can when you can and present to your admissions board that you didn't *want* to attend a McDojo, that the quality of your knowledge was more important to you than rank. If that's the truth, then do that. If it's not, there's not a person here who will stop you from doing what you want to do.
Here's an idea: How about a free female medical care clinic for displaced mothers? Think you can find a way to get that going at the YWCA in your area? Provide free STI screenings, PAP smears, etcetera?
How about a free health expo for displaced moms and their kids where they can get some free sample vitamins, cold meds, etcetera?
Got a halfway house nearby? Sure you do. How about a professional clothing drive so these women can get decent jobs that will help them progress? Typing skills, computer skills? Skills evaluation for career placement?
How about the VFW in your area? They *always* have something you can do.
You know, around the holiday season, places like these get oodles of stuff ... but few people remember them in summer. How about a summertime drive?
Whatever you decide, good luck.
Look ... if you wanna wow them with something - find a need in the community, get funding and carry out a service project that vastly improves a needy faction. There are *plenty* of opportunities to volunteer.
If you don't want the hassle and just want to attend a belt factory, then find a TKD or non-specific Karate school who has monthly gradings, join, and see how high you can get. But do us all a favor ... recognize what you're really doing it for and don't pretend to be more than what you are - the purchaser of a belt.
Perhaps you'd do better to find a *good* school or a *good* teacher, learn what you can when you can and present to your admissions board that you didn't *want* to attend a McDojo, that the quality of your knowledge was more important to you than rank. If that's the truth, then do that. If it's not, there's not a person here who will stop you from doing what you want to do.
Here's an idea: How about a free female medical care clinic for displaced mothers? Think you can find a way to get that going at the YWCA in your area? Provide free STI screenings, PAP smears, etcetera?
How about a free health expo for displaced moms and their kids where they can get some free sample vitamins, cold meds, etcetera?
Got a halfway house nearby? Sure you do. How about a professional clothing drive so these women can get decent jobs that will help them progress? Typing skills, computer skills? Skills evaluation for career placement?
How about the VFW in your area? They *always* have something you can do.
You know, around the holiday season, places like these get oodles of stuff ... but few people remember them in summer. How about a summertime drive?
Whatever you decide, good luck.
thardey
Master Black Belt
First, I do appreciate that you did come back and keep posting, and to clear things up. To me, that shows that your are serious about your question, and able to take some answers that you may not like. Many people would have gotten frustrated and started ranting.
Next, please don't think of us as a bunch of "Martial arts elitists." It's not that people here are trying to discourage you from meeting a goal, it's that we're trying to point out that maybe your goal could use a little more thinking. Look at some of the posts again, and you'll see things that basically amount to "find an art that you can do for a lifetime." If training very hard for a year is your plan to achieve this "impossible goal", then realize that you're talking to people who've trained very hard for many years. We're actually challenging you to raise your goal, and make it long-term.
Third, Martial Arts are unique, in that there is more to any style than what you run into in athletics. For most sports, if you are naturally coordinated, fairly healthy, and have a healthy dose of that mysterious "other", you could become a "brown belt" level athlete is something like tennis, golf, volleyball, or whatever you want. If you take a year and do nothing but study that sport, you can improve very rapidly.
However, in Martial Arts, you're dealing with a different animal entirely. It's a whole new system of movement, like learning to walk all over again. What experience you bring into it can't be applied until all that has been de-programmed. You have to be stripped of what you know, and re-wire your muscle memory from scratch. During this phase you can't "train hard" or you will not be able to strip those bad habits (bad for M.A., fine for tennis), but will cement them into a bad mixture of old and new.
For the first year or two, it is better to "train softly" until your mind can re-program your movements. It's more like rehab than sports. That just takes time, and there's no way to rush it. The more experience you have with other sports (other than, in my experience, dancing or fencing), the longer it will take. That's why kids pick it up so fast, they don't have to unlearn very much, they can go to the next phase quickly.
The next phase is to start re-programming your body to move in a more efficient way. Our bodies are remarkably bad at moving well. We're constantly working against ourselves, and moving in the least efficient way possible that still functions. This is the part where you can begin to work "hard", as in the more time you put into it, the faster you will progress. But if you push it, for instance, try to be "fast" without really learning what that means, -- I mean, "moving faster" doesn't really get you anywhere -- then you've got to deprogram that bit all over again. That's what a lot of martial arts is -- deprogramming and reprogramming. There just isn't a way to rush it, in terms of overall time.
That's why working twice as hard doesn't mean you'll advance twice as fast. It would be more like working hard at religion. The more you force it, the more important stuff you'll miss.
If that seems strange to you, then remember that "Martial Arts" carries more weight on a resume than sports. This may be part of the reason why. It takes a different type of learning skill.
Now, there is another option. You mentioned getting past "purple belt." I'm not sure if you realize how arbitrary that goal is. In my style, purple is the mark for the 6-9 month stage of training. It goes like this, assuming you aren't held for some reason.
First year: 1-3 Mo. White; 3-6 Mo. Yellow; 6-9 Mo. Purple, 9-12 Mo. Orange.
Second year: 1-6 Mo. 2 levels of blue. 6-12 Mo. 2 levels of green.
Third year: 1-3 Mo. 1 more level of green. 3-18 Mo. Various levels of red.
We don't use brown, but use red instead. But after 1 year, you can be a blue belt, and there's nothing wrong with putting "Blue Belt" on your resume.
BTW, this style is called Chun-kuk-do, run by the United Fighting Arts Federation. you can find more about it here: www.ufaf.org
It's well within the huge branch of "Karate." If that is what you're looking for.
SheSulsa has lots of good ideas here.
My Neighbor in an apartment below me years ago, was a woman who worked as a massage specialist.
But she always sponsored/worked/donated to a large Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless in the area. Even she found something very worth while to volunteer her time and also get newspaper and media coverage. Of course she got most of it after a couple of years, but you may never know. Helping others is good. I hope that is why you choose to be a doctor and maybe this is a way to get something for your resume as well.
I concur and it's why I took my time to reply.
I want to expand a little on what I typed earlier:
More often than not, the admissions board who ask to see a high rank in martial arts on your resume likely don't have anyone on it with this experience. But whether they do or not ... it wouldn't be far-fetched to seek council with martial arts experience in your area who could speak with you seriously about rank, its relative value, the overall direction of martial arts today and how these would influence your decision on where to train. If this person (a master or higher) is a good one and is serious, he would have no problem writing some kind of letter describing the status of these things in the MA World for you to submit with your decision should you decide to train seriously and not ... ah ... rankingly. Heck, you might find such a one or three right here on MartialTalk!
I'd also put my reputation (heh - such as it is) on the line and say that any master who did this for you shouldn't charge you a doggone penny if s/he is an artist worthy of writing the letter.
But again, this is on the chance that you want to train to learn, not to get a pretty color around your hips. And should you find someone you want to train with, that person would make a decision on whether or not to write you a letter of recommendation.
Em MacIntosh
3rd Black Belt
It can be done. Hell, you could earn a black belt in a year if you put in five hours minimum, every day, rain or shine, eat, sleep and drink it but you don't strike me as the "chuck norris" type. The effort must be made. If you are willing to make that herculean effort you're compressing four to eight years into one. Prepare to sweat and BUST YOUR *** or you might as well buy a belt and get a sokeydokey certificate.
charyuop
Black Belt
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????:rpo: :sniper:
If not can you send me the total? I know how to use Paypal
Oh btw, I stand in line too. As soon as I read his willing to work harder I thought about that story about the student willing to study harder and harder...but too many beat me to it LOL (must be a very well known story in MA world LOL).
Terrific suggestions, Shesulsa... IOU rep once you cycle off my current stack!
To my way of thinking, any medical school admissions board worth its salt is going to be far more responsive to this sort of thing, far more, than to a middling-advanced colored belt in a MA. Having hobbies you pursue seriously was a bit of a novelty as a `CV item' back in the early 1960s, when my class was applying to university; it's become unbelievably passé at this point. If you want to score points that way, you have to be a Power in the activities you cite. You do ballet? Fine, what municipal dance company are you the prima ballerina for? You're a serious chess player? Great, what's your International Master ranking? The truth is, no one is going to make an impact anymore with this sort of thing, because everyone can display two pages or more of the same kind of activity. It's a buyers' market in the professions, and a very limited number of places.
What will impress your med school admissions committee is evidence that they have another Albert Schweitzer or Johann Olav Koss in the making on their hands. Real effort, earnest effort aimed at crying needs—that will get their attention. Why? Because so few people do it, or have ever done it. The kinds of project Shesulsa has outlined are not glamorous, but they aim to bring help to those who need it most, the most vulnerable members of society with the fewest resources, and at greatest risk. That sort of activity, well publicized, is something the medical profession needs a bit more of. People are rather cynical about anæsthesiologists, radiologists and cardio surgeons with seven-figure a year practices. Koss brought glory both to Olympic athletics and to medicine when he left competition at the very top of his game to make high-quality medical services available without charge to the poorest of Africa's poor. Something to think about, eh?
Laurentkd
Master Black Belt
Shesulsa hit it right on here. My brother didn't get into his med school of choice the first time around (with average grades and above average MCAT). Then he spent a year volunteering at a women's shelter and got early acceptance the following year. And I know several others with the same story. It is these types of activities that will make the difference, not a "brown belt".
Nomad
Master Black Belt
Very well put. It certainly holds true for my training so far (6 years and counting, recently promoted to Shodan, and still have sooooo much to learn); a constant cycle of deprogramming and reprogramming...
The martial arts also have an incredible depth to them, and it's possible to find new revelations (applications, body mechanics, timing, etc.) in the simplest moves or kata that you've known for years. One of my instructors claims to still be "figuring out" the first kata taught and coming up with new stuff after 30+ years of training.
After one year, you can only pick up a very superficial understanding of any of the martial arts, and at a reputable school this is usually reflected in the relatively low rank associated with it. As stated by others, training harder isn't going to aid much in gaining any depth.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????:rpo: :sniper:
If not can you send me the total? I know how to use Paypal
By my math it would cost $1650 for a piece of paper that one could use to pad his resume or wipe his *** with, either way, we're both happy...I get the money and he gets a valuable lesson - nothing worth having is easy.
The offer's still on the table but it seems that the OP'er has seen the error of his ways and for that I congratulate him!
Sgesulsa your two post was just outstanding and when I recycle IOU reps for both of them.
OP
Thelardking
White Belt
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2007
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 1
- Thread Starter
- #58
WOW! This is quite an amazing community in that so many people responded and viewed this post. Thanks to you all.
I do volunteer work at hospitals, and I am in the army reserves. So I have some physical training and I know that I like the medical profession. Volunteering, like someone previously said, is quickly becoming tedious, since everyone who's ever attempted med school since the beginning of time has done thousands of hours of it. To stand out, often people take extraordinary steps, and MA, as I have been led to believe, is one of those obscure niches still uncommon enough to garner an extra look at the old resume.
I agree with the thought that mastering the art isn't directly proportional to time spent. At some point, there has to be diminishing returns. Roasting a chicken 10 times hotter just burns the chicken. Can't say i disagree with the analogy, and i accept that I can't do it in 1 year. Although I am still certain that some arts do offer faster transfer of knowledge through more efficient techniques and teachings. After all, martial arts are diverse and no two are created equal.
Not to beat the point to death, but if I were to purchase a belt, I wouldn't have even bothered writing this post, and in the process arouse much anger among the community. I would've just went and bought it. The question I would've posted would be "where can i buy a ranking? or who's willing to certify me for a fee?", rather than which art can train me faster. I feel much of the attack was on me shortcutting, and the feeling of disgust at the cheapening of the value of hard work. I understand that and I regret that my previous statement came through as such.
In conclusion, I must restate that I am looking for the fastest art for the proper transfer of knowledge. Kenpo, as i am currently being trained, seems rather slow, with testing every 2 months even if you master the techniques and katas.
I do volunteer work at hospitals, and I am in the army reserves. So I have some physical training and I know that I like the medical profession. Volunteering, like someone previously said, is quickly becoming tedious, since everyone who's ever attempted med school since the beginning of time has done thousands of hours of it. To stand out, often people take extraordinary steps, and MA, as I have been led to believe, is one of those obscure niches still uncommon enough to garner an extra look at the old resume.
I agree with the thought that mastering the art isn't directly proportional to time spent. At some point, there has to be diminishing returns. Roasting a chicken 10 times hotter just burns the chicken. Can't say i disagree with the analogy, and i accept that I can't do it in 1 year. Although I am still certain that some arts do offer faster transfer of knowledge through more efficient techniques and teachings. After all, martial arts are diverse and no two are created equal.
Not to beat the point to death, but if I were to purchase a belt, I wouldn't have even bothered writing this post, and in the process arouse much anger among the community. I would've just went and bought it. The question I would've posted would be "where can i buy a ranking? or who's willing to certify me for a fee?", rather than which art can train me faster. I feel much of the attack was on me shortcutting, and the feeling of disgust at the cheapening of the value of hard work. I understand that and I regret that my previous statement came through as such.
In conclusion, I must restate that I am looking for the fastest art for the proper transfer of knowledge. Kenpo, as i am currently being trained, seems rather slow, with testing every 2 months even if you master the techniques and katas.
I study Kenpo and have NEVER tested in two month intervals. There is so much more involved than just the techniques and the forms. When I started my Sifu told me that from start to testing for Brown Belt is about three years. As I started in May of 05, I am right on track as a Green Belt. The Colored ranks (Yellow through Green) are generally testable every six months,and the Brown Belts every eight to nine months.
In two months there is barely time to learn the techniques. That short a period of time doesn't allow for any seasoning.
This hothouse/force-fed approach to MA training reminds me of a hysterical episode from a Woody Allen movie, where he brags to some friends at a party that as a result of his recently completed speed-reading course, he was able to start and finish the whole of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past in a single weekend. Impressed, one of the people he's talking to asks him for an overview of the set of novels; Allen considers carefully for a moment and then replies, `Well...it was about some Frenchmen.'
It just can't be done. Can't, can't, can't.
