The 5 Taekwondo principles that allow us to grow in life and organizations

Bruce Lee, perhaps the greatest legend of martial arts, said in a report: “I am not afraid of the man who has thrown 10,000 different kicks, I fear the man who has kicked 10,000 times.”

Almost like those kicks, you and I feel every day: we constantly receive stimuli, challenges to be solved, situations of instability and uncertainty; so keeping up and moving forward becomes a continuous path towards a certain self-control and mastery, not only in the external management, of what happens, but of one's own emotions.

In today's world, both in life and at work, we need to know where and when to act, how to impact, and how to do it effectively and efficiently in energy management so as not to end up permanently exhausted.

That is why, in the midst of crucial moments as humanity, what can keep us afloat and recharge our batteries is to focus on human values, which we also bring to the world of work. And martial arts in general are based on universal concepts that we can assimilate to our daily performance.

Within martial arts, taekwondo is not just a sport, it is a way of life for all ages. From the name (meaning techniques that involve the use of feet) to the combat style, it is steeped in Korean culture and tradition. As we know it today, it has been practiced since 1945, and it was officially registered as a sport in 1955, although its origins and influences come from centuries ago. It was only in 1988 that it was integrated as an Olympic sport.

Some of the benefits of this martial art are improved focus, reaction, strength, discipline, tolerance to frustration, strategic thinking and decision making.

5 principles of taekwondo to apply in our lives

If at a personal or business level you need to focus energy, achieve better relationships, optimize resources, strengthen discipline and self-control, the five core principles of taekwondo will guide you to start practicing them:

1) Courtesy (Ye Ui): This fundamental principle encourages people to excel in their performance, and to make their best contribution in the search for greater harmony in society. Good treatment, fluid communication and empathy are three tools you can practice to raise the level of courtesy in any area where you move.

2) Integrity (Yom Chi): Being in one piece, without folds, is a quality that allows you to unfold with appropriate behaviors, coherent between what you think, what you say, feel and finally, what you do. When you act with integrity, quality and excellence are manifested in your actions and in your thoughts. In turn, you teach and know how to accept advice from those who are more experienced than you, without taking it personally or interfering with your ego.

It will also allow you to learn to set boundaries and establish integrity frameworks outside of which you won't move, because they are not acceptable in your values.

3) Self-control (Guk Gi): Inside and outside the 'dojang', the physical space where taekwondo is practiced, the lack of self-control and control causes consequences for everyone involved. At this point, it will support you to work on emotional intelligence, especially on the self-regulation of what you feel and how you process things that happen, to focus on acting in the best way and that you apply in concrete terms an Eastern principle that says that “He who is capable of to overcome others, but the one who is capable of defeating himself.”

4) Perseverance (In Nae): Patience is the space where apparently nothing is happening, and in turn, everything is happening; because that is where achievements and conquests are macerated. It necessarily involves discipline, mettle and learning to master emotions in order to sustain the focus with determination and perseverance. It is a quality that can be practiced, precisely, by persevering, that is, by getting up once more than you fall.

5) Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool): The fifth principle of taekwondo that you can bring to your personal and professional realm is that of having a spirit willing to experiment, learn, unlearn, make decisions, plan, fight when necessary, be strategists of one's own life.

This includes mental preparation as a condition for not intimidating yourself in the face of obstacles, or the number of people you have to face. Rather, it is knowing that this untamed spirit within you is what will guide you and reinforce your inner power to move beyond difficulties.

You know, you don't achieve what you don't practice. Therefore, by exercising these five taekwondo-inspired principles, you can raise your level of effectiveness in any field. If you transform them into precepts for your life, you will acquire balance, awareness, strength and power to act while increasing confidence in yourself, self-control, focus and humility, virtues applicable to all aspects of life. Then there won't be anything or anyone to stop you.

Daniel Colombo

Facilitator and Master Executive Coach specialized in senior management, professionals and teams; mentor and professional communicator; international speaker; author of 32 books. LinkedIn Top Voice Latin America. ICF Certified; Certified Coach and Member of John Maxwell Team

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