This month, I attended a three-hour Krav Maga class with a 3rd-degree black belt instructor, Sepi Melamed (Krav Maga is a practical martial art that combines elements of Jujutsu and Muay Thai). She was awesome. The class was awesome. And there were some practical lessons learned for fighters and non-fighters alike.

Note: My experience was far more rewarding than the Tyson-Paul fight we witnessed last week… 😒 anywho…

Here are 5 Coaching Points from a 3rd-Degree Blackbelt

1.) Time Equals Damage

The more time it takes you to recover from an opponent’s strike, the more potential damage you take. Responsiveness and your ability to return to balance can be the difference between life and death.

Takeaway: Absorb the blow, but don't stay down for longer than you need to.

2.) Fatigue is a Bad Teacher

When we get tired, we lose the basics. It’s normal to give ourselves the excuse to slack in the fundamentals when we are exhausted.

Takeaway: When you’ve pushed past your threshold, rest and reset rather than continuing with improper form. Practice doesn’t make perfect - it makes permanent.

3.) Everything but the Target is a Distraction

The fighter’s focus should always be in the center of the opponent’s chest. EVERYTHING else is a distraction. Train to use your peripheral to pick up outside movement and respond accordingly.

Takeaway: There are only a few things that actually matter. Our mission, vision, values, and short list of goals should be at the center of our focus. Accolades, unsolicited advice, and other people's opinions are all distractions from the target.

4.) There is No In-Between

Sepi talked about her mentality between reps. During her training sessions, her coach would smack her upside the head after she executed a flawless rep. Why? Because he saw the attack in her eyes wane between combos. She turned her warrior on and off, and her coach demanded she live with it on. When fighting, you’re either ‘switched on’ or ‘switched off’ - there is no in-between.

Takeaway: If you’re creating momentum, don’t take your foot off the pedal. Stay in the fight. Don’t lose your ‘inner warrior’ during moments of pause or disengagement.

5.) The Best Teachers Teach in Concepts

Many of us love to get into the tactics – the exact words, phrases, processes or sales scripts - without ever connecting those tactics back to the larger concept. Tactics are fun, and often shiny and sexy. But someone who understands the broader concept can always piece together the smaller tactics.

Takeaway: Mastery of your craft requires you to train others in the concepts and the tactics. One without the other paints an incomplete picture for the student.

Bonus: Iron Sharpens Iron

After the three-hour class, the primary instructor who owns the gym (also a black belt) was getting instructions from the Sepi on specific combinations and training techniques. The best learn from the best.

Practice: Select and apply one of the Fight Rules to your day to day.

Let me know how this resonated and what topics you'd like to learn more about! I love hearing from you.

Bring the Juice,

Seb

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Authentic Business Tip: Help Your Clients Hire You

SITUATION: I was in conversation with a potential client who is looking to enroll her organization in paying for me as her coach. This isn't the first time I've supported a client in hiring me... but it did prompt the creation of the Stakeholder Enrollment Proposal Template.

USE CASE: This template is for you to give your prospective clients and helps them articulate the value of coaching in a way that demonstrates clear benefits for the supervisor, the employee, and the organization as a whole. It’s structured to show the alignment between personal growth and company success. Even if they don't end up using it, it may help guide their conversation.

NOTE: The further distance you get from the conversation about coaching, the more diluted the impact of your work. NO ONE is better at enrolling someone in coaching with you than YOU. Having tools like this that outline the value of the work that you do ensures your voice (and presence) remains central even when you're not in the room.

You can download a copy below - let me know if you find it useful.

Download the Template 

How We Can Work Together

• (Re)Design Your Business to Work for You: Twice a year, I lead a small mastermind of coaches/consultants through advanced strategy focused on building a business tailored to them. If you're interested in learning more, hit reply on this email and I’ll forward the details for the next group starting in January.
• Watch the ‘How to Monetize Your Niche on LinkedIn Webinar’: Harris Fanaroff - a dear friend and founder of Linked Revenue - and I put together a masterclass answering FAQs on how to grow your brand and income on LinkedIn. You can watch the replay here.