As I mentioned Blue Belt is an odd level, and the brown and black belts who have been there will remember and agree to this
If you look at the list of alumni you will see more members drop out at blue belt than any other - you would think this odd in theory as they are not beginners or people in their first few months who never took training up properly, they are all people who spent well over a year working hard to gain a level of skill and competence
In practice is makes sense - once you get to blue belt you have consolidated yours skills, and anyone who has trained for a year and gained the blue belt will be able to defend themselves in all ranges effectively. Some people will feel they do not need to go any further in their training, they don't need the advanced stuff, and have no need to come back to repeat and cycle, which is what you do a lot of at blue belt. Not everyone who joins a dojo goes on to become a black belt, in fact most do not. So blue belt would be the logical step off point for those who do not have the potential to go all the way.
At blue belt you reach a plateau and feel like you are going nowhere, even going backwards. This is because you are cycling you existing moves, so it feels like nothing is happening, and with the more challenging advanced moves, that you aren't getting it right at all.
This is normal and natural, a sensei will recognise it, and the student learns patience, understanding, and a new level of confidence when things start going right again. Doubt is part of the training as you have to have doubt to overcome it and that is when you get belief.
Faith has three parts here:
1. Believe in me - you wouldn't be spending time and money coming to my class if you didn't believe in me and what I teach - and my skill and knowledge speak for itself - you know what you are here to learn and from whom
2. I believe in you - I don't let just anyone train here - you have earned your place - nor do we give away belts, you have earned the belt you wear - if I did not think you were worth it I wouldn't let you have a place in my class and spend time on you
3. believe in yourself - if you believe in me and I believe it you, and you believe in the validity of what you are doing, then believing in yourself is the smallest, yet also the biggest step
or a simple 4 part forumula I have used for years:
1. believe you are worth it - self esteem, positive self image
2. believe you can do it - confidence - goal setting and achievement
3. decide what you want
4. go out and get it
conceive - believe - achieve
everyone who comes through that door can earn a black belt - EVERYONE - you just have to turn up and train, I will do the rest
