Integrity Inside And Outside The Dojo

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It means aligning your actions with your values and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. The martial arts can help you lay a strong foundation for integrity that is valuable in the dojo, and can extend to other areas of your life.

The Aspects Of Integrity

Consistency: With consistency, your behavior matches your stated goals. You’re the same person in public as you are in private. If your goal is to advance in the martial arts, you are consistently showing up, practicing, and doing the things you need to do to advance. Consistently practicing and studying can help you become successful in school, at work, and anywhere else in life.

Honesty: Honesty involves being truthful with yourself and others, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient. This can mean taking an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses, so you know what areas of your martial arts practice need work. Honesty with others can also help you get further in life.

Moral Courage: Standing up for what’s right, even when facing pressure, consequences, or easier alternatives, is hugely important. Doing the right thing will get you further with the people who surround you no matter where you are.

Wholeness: A person with integrity is undivided and their words, thoughts, and actions form a coherent whole. This wholeness will help you navigate relationships with the people around you and become a stronger, more complete person.

Accountability: Taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences, admitting mistakes, and making amends when necessary are all signs of accountability.

In a martial arts context, integrity might look like:

• Practicing with full effort even when your instructor isn’t looking
• Admitting when you’ve missed a requirement for testing
• Respecting sparring rules and your partner’s safety
• Being honest about your skill level
• Owning up to mistakes rather than making excuses

Accountability will help you get further at school and work by giving a full effort, even when your authority figures are not looking.

Sign Up For Martial Arts Classes

The martial arts are a great way to develop an integrity that extends beyond the dojo. The experienced instructors at TM Martial Arts help adults and kids develop this critical trait.

Contact us today to sign up!