Konnichi wa Karate Students,
Have your been doing your "morning routine" each morning?!
A recurring theme at this dojo is "The Small Things Matter". I probably mentioned to you when you first started - "It is not the big things you do in your life that makes you great, it is all the small things!"
All of us make dozens of small choices every day. Typically these choices are made for us, or without really thinking, we just fall into the easier choice in the moment. Teach your child recognize these small opportunities then to take each choice seriously, make the choice/decision themselves (instead of you making for them), then how to be intentional in their decision. Here is the key - These small choices "compound" over time and become huge at the end.
For example a small choice today, like eating a salad instead of that greasy cheeseburger or doing your homework first before picking up that video game controller or taking a run in the morning instead of just rolling out of bed and going to school/work, may seem small and insignificant. You are right. They are small and insignificant today but over time, over 10, 20, 40 years they are huge. That cheeseburger today will not kill you today, but 30 years from now that small choice will add years and quality of life years to your life.
If you want to read more here are two books I recommend (you can also see plenty on YouTube):
"The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olsen
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear
One "small thing" that I loved from Jeff Olsen was this one piece of advice he gave his daughter right before she went off to college. This one seemingly small thing will almost guarantee you will graduate. He told her "Never miss a class!"
So back to the question, Are you doing your morning routine? It may seem small but it is huge.
Just remember what this is all about: Habits!
It all start with habit, which turns into your character, which turns into your identity.
The Small Things Matter.
Yours for stronger kids,
Sensei