Effort - Progress - Duration

Often, in my past Sensei days, practitioners would ask how long it would take to reach a certain level and I always replied that it depends on how much effort a    person puts into the system.

I believer the time it takes to make a certain amount of progress and also as to the quality of that progress depends a great deal on many things with "effort" being a solid top runner trait. I also believe that effort actually becomes the byproduct of some other traits like diligence, intent, dedication, etc.

It is not just the effort displayed when in the dojo. It is an effort that will be evident when in the dojo that reflects the effort one takes when not under the watchful eye of Sensei and Sempai.

I remember my neighbor's young adult face when he asked me why he was not able to do things as well as I do. I told him it depended on the effort put into the system, the practice and the training. He looked at me with this puzzled face and said, "I work really hard at class, every time." I smiled and asked, "How often do you attend class?" He said, "Twice a week."

I had to sigh to myself and then tell him what it took for me to become proficient. I said, "If you practice every single day as hard as you can, if you follow the guidance of your Sensei at each and every moment of your practice with intent, diligence and enthusiasm you will get there. If you do this for a minimum of two hours every day for the next thirty four years you will get there - maybe. The look of incredulity was astounding to see.  He just shook his head in wonderment not truly understanding that it takes a certain amount of dedication, commitment and hard work to get something worth while.

I have to say if he had pursued the matter I could have told him it was what it took for me to reach this level and it could take him much less time to reach the same level. He might have then come to understand that some things only come with time and that time span is unique to each individual. There are some aspects of training and practice that I tool about thirty years to realize and I am still realizing it as I progress.

Face it, martial arts or any worthwhile discipline takes time and lots of practice to achieve any real level of professionalism, proficiency and true understanding. It takes time + "effort."