It’s been said that those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail. 

In academics, great students prepare by studying for exams. In the workplace, great managers prepare by organizing the day in advance.

Preparation, like anything else we do on a daily basis, is a habit. Your level of preparation is often an indicator of how seriously you taking your goals and responsibilities.

In the dojo, we often see the difference between “white belt mediocrity” and “black belt excellence” in the details of a student’s preparation.

It starts with appearance: your uniform, hygiene and posture are indicators of preparation. If your gi is torn or your pants won’t stay up, you probably won’t be able to focus on the lesson.

Is your uniform clean? Is your belt tied properly? How is your posture? How is your bow? Do you move quickly? Are you the first person done?

Next, think about fitness & nutrition: part of preparing well is being physically ready for class. Fresh fruits, vegetables and a proper balance of carbs and proteins are like high-octane fuel for a racecar. Junk food and most fast foods are like sugar in the gas tank and a banana in the tailpipe.

Finally, consider your mental attitude: If you still approach the classroom with a mindset of “me against you”, you’re falling into a classic trap. Your ego may improve, but the larger lessons will forever elude you.

How are you preparing to think bigger and see farther? Are you actively striving to take the “long view”? Do you think small and aim for easy targets that are set low?

All this preparation leads to the question, “what will you look like at Black Belt?”

Everything you do before, during and after each class is preparing you for something. Think of every class as one more chance to prepare for Black Belt, to craft your future from the present.

Great habits provide a solid foundation for anything you wish to do. They help to create both great lives and great black belts.

The energy you put into building those habits sets the stage for new goals and gives you energy to handle challenges that show up in daily life.

Momentum helps to keep those habits alive.

Momentum in life is a function of commitment: it comes from the successes you’ve experienced and the actions you’ve taken. And it’s impossible to gain momentum if you give up partway through the process.

Those in pursuit of mastery take pride in their work and look to improve on the details of their practice. When they see success, they build on positive results and let that enthusiasm fuel their next endeavor.

Creating momentum is about being willing to go the extra mile and to actually do something. It takes more than just a positive attitude. Self-belief and self-confidence are critical – but they’re nothing without action.

In the classroom, there is a time for thinking things through, and then there is a time for practice. There is a time to listen and there is a time to execute.

In life, there are always chances for us to build on our good results and start to take smart risks to improve in the future. Maybe it’s after you’ve received good news or seen great results from a project you’ve been working on.

No matter what is happening in the economy, with the weather (!) or the world around us, staying committed to progress and personal growth fuels momentum and can help anyone to move past obstacles in life.

It starts in the dojo, on the mat each time you come to class. Begin by giving your best attention, energy and effort. Then be willing to practice and review what you learned in between classes.

Establish a habit so you can start each day early, with energy. Build on the good habits you’ve established. Begin to take action to maintain momentum for your future endeavors.