We're all defined by our failures. It’s what make us who we are and what connects us with other people.
Consider this.
Would you still have cheered for the Karate Kid if all he did was roll into town and beat everyone up?
Of course not.
The process of “Getting There” is what makes a good movie worth watching, and a great life worth living. Adversity opens up opportunities for growth, and it’s those challenges along the way that really show you what you’re capable of.
Sweep the leg
There’s a famous line in the Karate Kid movie where the Cobra Kai’s evil sensei tells his top student Johnny, to “Sweep the leg.” At the time, our hero Daniel’s knee is badly hurt and the evil sensei is, in essence, telling his student to target the injury.
The phrase, “Sweep the leg,” has even turned into a pop culture reference meaning going after someone’s weak spot, or kicking them when they’re down.
The relevance here is that when you stumble or fail at what you’re doing, there will always be people around you looking to make themselves feel better by targeting your weak areas.
There’s nothing you can do except be ready for people to attack you.
You'll never see it coming, but if you're aware that others WILL try to beat up on you when you’re down, then you'll be more willing to pick up the pieces and keep going.
The person bashing you usually isn’t doing it to be a bad person, but rather they see an opportunity to get ahead, so they’re doing what they think they need to in order to get ahead.
6 steps to Karate Kick Failure
- Look at what happened and figure out what needs to change
- If possible, try to find a mentor who can chop the tops off beer bottles with his/her bare hands (shameless movie reference
) - Try your new methods
- Accept that someone might kick you when you’re down.
- Try again, and if you miss…
- Try again
As Mr Miagi famously said about the ancient crane technique, “If done right, no can defend”
Here’s a link to the final scene.
Enjoy!
