I love training. I love budo, it’s a major PART of my life….. but it’s not my whole life. Although at times I seem to think of nothing else. It enhances my life, makes my life richer, and enhances my health and sense of well-being. I enjoy it a lot. Training in budo, apart form the obvious benefits of practicing a martial art, gives me a lot of personal satisfaction, health, and sometimes, relief from stress, from worries.
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Once it becomes a drain though, once it becomes a negative in my life, I would quit teaching.
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Martial arts instructors will tell you that they love their jobs (well they would have to wouldn’t they?)… and yet I have seen the dark clouds hanging over the heads of some of those teachers more than once.
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In fact, take a look at teachers in any field of study and you’ll find fatigued souls battling disappointment. Personal trainer, driving instructor, life coach, music teacher – it doesn’t matter. Sometimes that lack of desire to teach can affect anyone.
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And that includes me. Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching, but that doesn’t mean I don’t go home exhausted, frustrated, and occasionally irritated. I shake my head wondering if repeating the same information over and over, trying to pass on the next kata, is really worth it.
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It shouldn’t be that way. Teaching should be joyful. It should be rewarding. Having the chance to pass on the knowledge and skills that changed my life should be a blessing. So, why doesn’t it always feel like a blessing?
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You start out loving something so much that you dedicate your life to learning more about it. It becomes part of you. You want to share what you love, this piece of you, but you discover that most people aren’t interested….. At least not as much as you are.
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The number of people who are truly interested in what you have to offer, and are willing to match your enthusiasm and drive is small. Very, very, small. Coming to terms with this as a teacher begins with accepting that truth….. Your passion is yours alone.
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There are times when you should quit the martial arts. This sounds like heresy, right? Maybe it is. But at a certain point in time, you may stop and think; “What the hell am I doing? I’m not enjoying myself, I’d rather be doing something else, and not have to worry about teaching the next technique or kata. Or perhaps I should just practice alone.”
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That’s when it’s time to reassess your goals and personal feelings about your martial art. Sometimes careful reflection rejuvenates your commitment. Rekindles the desire and passion…… You know you’re not supposed to quit, right?
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Perhaps though, if you take a long hard look at the physical, mental and emotional toll the martial arts takes on you, it may be time to leave. If it’s not your day job then okay….. You may think of yourself as a “quitter”, and you will probably beat yourself up over it. After all, you teach that quitting is not an option.
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We are told that teaching was something a person did for life. I suppose this fits in with the “teaching as a calling” narrative: you don’t quit a calling. Being a teacher was like a calling for me (not just in the martial arts) – it was part of my life’s purpose.
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But believe it or not, there are other things in life besides the dojo…… Or perhaps I’m just having a bad day! 
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Inspired by, & thank you to; Ando Mierzwa from Happy Life Martial Arts
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