CTA Personal Mastery Program

 

The Clarksville Taekwondo Academy (CTA) prides itself on its attention to Character Development. One of the primary goals of the CTA curriculum is to create Black Belts who embody the highest ideals of character as expressed in the three key areas that make up the “CTA Personal Mastery Program.” These three key areas are “Moral Foundation,” “Personal Effectiveness,” and “Leadership.”

 

 

Moral Foundation - The Moral Foundation of the CTA Personal Mastery Program is outlined in the Taekwondo Tenets, Student Creed, and Student Oath1.

 

The Tenets of Taekwondo

The Taekwondo Student Creed 

  1. I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would hinder my mental growth or my physical development.

  2. I intend to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.

  3. I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively, to help myself and my fellow man, and to never be abusive or offensive.

The Taekwondo Student Oath

Personal Effectiveness – These seven “Personal Effectiveness Principles”2 enable one to harness and focus their personal energy towards the accomplishment of positive goals. 

  1. Be Proactive - Take responsibility for your life.

  2. Begin with the End in Mind - Define your mission and goals in life.

  3. Put First Things First - Prioritize, and do the most important things first.

  4. Think Win-Win - Have an “everyone-can-win” attitude.

  5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood4 - Listen to people sincerely.

  6. Synergize - Work together to achieve more.

  7. Sharpen the Saw - Renew yourself regularly.

Leadership – CTA Black Belts represent the highest physical, mental, and moral ideals of the Clarksville Taekwondo Academy. A CTA Black Belt is a “leader amongst peers,” and as such, should pay particular attention to the “CTA Leadership Traits”3 outlined below:

L – Lead by Example – “Practice what you preach.”

E – Ethics – Do the right thing.

A – Attitude – A positive attitude fuels the engine of success.

D – Discipline – Self-discipline sets one on the right course.

E – Empathy4 – Try to understand the emotions/feelings of others.

R – Respect – Showing respect to others earns respect in return.

S – Service – Look for ways to be of service to your family, school, and community.

H – Honor – A strong leader has a sense of honor.

I – Initiative -  Take the initiative to get things done.

P – Personal Courage – Stand up for what is right. 

 

Throughout the 2- to 3-year student progression from white belt to black belt, these character traits are discussed, reviewed, and reinforced during training sessions. Students will receive study sheets and they will have access to the test materials on the CTA website. Student understanding of the character traits will be assessed during the belt tests that are given roughly once every two to three months. There are a total of 9 belt tests from the level of white belt to black belt. If a student passes all areas on the test except the Personal Mastery Program material, the student may still receive the new belt and rank, however, he or she will not be awarded the Personal Mastery stripes or patches until he or she has mastered the corresponding Personal Mastery Program curriculum material. Students who earn their “Ki,” “STORM,” and “Leadership” patches will be eligible for consideration to become a CTA Junior Assistant or Assistant Instructor upon receiving their Black Belt. 

 

References: 

1.      Choi, Hong Hi, General (ROK Ret.), ITF Taekwondo Encyclopedia Legacy CD-ROM. COM-DO, Inc., Canada, 1997.  

2.      Personal Effectiveness

3.      Leadership

4.      Emotional Intelligence

WBBB “Ki” Patch

(“Ki” – “Vital Energy”)

 

 

CTA - Clarksville Taekwondo Academy

175 Lynnwood Circle

Nashville, Tennessee 37211

(615) 834-4976

www.geocities.com/ClarksvilleTKDAcademy

[email protected]

 

This site designed and maintained by Ben Garen.

Last updated on 12/17/05.

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