Motivation vs. Discouragement

I am really learning the value of empathy and understanding your students. This goes way beyond simple training and teaching methods- it involves who they are, what they need and what their intentions are. It involves what will help the individual student to get past their speed bumps- there is no blanket works-for-everybody method. Some students who are not aware or do not admit their failings may pull encouragement from a harsh reality check. Others who are aware and who are honest about their failings may not be encouraged by this method. I firmly believe that if an individual has been honest enough and straight enough to admit their failings, and not make excuses for them, that should be an indicator that a self reality check has been completed, and that now the student is ready to try again and is asking for help. (Note: Help comes in different froms, depending on the individual. Again, no blanket method exists).

Every student is different. You cannot force a square student with round methodology. Getting to know each student beyond knowing if they are a visual vs. vocal learner is not enough if you want your students to progress beyond just a practitioner into an internal martial artist.