POLL: Am I being too tough on affiliates??

[ifreez]

There's always a way sir! Don't tell me that it cost several grand for someone in the US to fly to Cali?
Takes me a year to save up for Cali but I still make it. Maybe if you're crawling under debts and you get ban from flying you should reconsider your priorities...

Well, I'm not crawling in debt, and I can fly, I was merely coming up with hypotheticals that are real for some. All I'm saying is you can have it both ways, either your instructor comes to you, which many legends accomodate, or you go to him, which is also very legit. It doesn't have to be one way or another. I'm not 10th Planet, and you guys don't have to listen to me, and you have the right to do things your way. It's up to everyone to seek out what fits them. But, I personally don't think one way is better than the other or vice versa.

[StephenG]

Eddie, I think your system is very fair and does not exclude those
who really want to advance, just my opinion.

However, it seems to be something you're considering some sort
of problem or issue. Perhaps there are some ways to encourage
more people to fall into your standards for the belts. For example,
maybe once or twice a year invite all affiliate coaches who want
to advance to HQ for a session where they can gather, share ideas,
and also test for belts if desired. I think encouraging meetings like
this will drive more folks to try and progress more quickly and would
also be very encouraging for them as they head back home with new
ideas and experience from folks that are working hard to achieve
similar results. I feel like if you make it something that has a date
and time frame - make it an event to be at, perhaps that would be
a goal that affiliate instructors would be more encouraged to achieve.

All of this is only suggested on top of the already existing system.
Just some ideas on encouraging progression.

[HerbChao]

In life you have to make sacrifices for what you want. Getting promoted isn't a NEED, its a WANT. If you want to get promoted, you’re going to have to make sacrifices, period. I know the sacrifices I've made, and will continue to make. I know what I WANT and I'm willing to work my ass off, and I'll be better for it.

Everyone wants to get to the top of the mountain. It’s HOW we make it to the top that sweetens the victory. I could take a helicopter, a beat up old bus, or I can climb tooth and nail my way to the top. I know which one I will appreciate and savior the most when I get there.

Chris that quote is awesome, it should apply to anything in life-well said.

[Eddie Bravo]

Should I start giving out brown belts at seminars to instructors who won't compete and won't travel to Cali to test themselves against HQ purples, browns and blacks?

Should I?

What yalls think?

I will if most of you think i should.

[John Alighieri]

Should I start giving out brown belts at seminars to instructors who won't compete and won't travel to Cali to test themselves against HQ purples, browns and blacks?

Should I?

What yalls think?

I will if most of you think i should.

I don't think you should

[Brent Smith]

I dont think you should (If thats a serious question)

[Bryan Brown]

Should I start giving out brown belts at seminars to instructors who won't compete and won't travel to Cali to test themselves against HQ purples, browns and blacks?

Should I?

What yalls think?

I will if most of you think i should.

I think that has to be your call but if you do I would suggest only if said potential Brown belt candidate has been reping the system for a min of 3 years to avoid people trying to pull a B Quick. If they won't come to HQ maybe when you go out bring one or two guys from HQ to them, maybe not cost effective not sure if travle can be a tax write off or included in the price of seminar. I volunteer myself for testing purps or browns 185-240 lbs ;-)

[StephenG]

Is there more background to these questions?

Is there a reason you want more brown belts at the current stages
of the system's business?

I personally think that you shouldn't be able to achieve brown or black
without actually visiting you in person, and working the techniques with
those that you have already deemed brown or black.

Brown and Black belts have such an influence on the others in the system.
I think it's important for them to be somewhat few and far between, and for
them to have to show a great amount of commitment to you and your system
along with it's standards if they are going to be instructors advertising their ranks.

[Nate Webb]

Should I start giving out brown belts at seminars to instructors who won't compete and won't travel to Cali to test themselves against HQ purples, browns and blacks?

Should I?

What yalls think?

I will if most of you think i should.

I would say no. That just sounds like too much leeway.

[Daniel Valdez]

First of all, Thank You for putting me in a great group of competitors and 10th planet reps and thank you for the pat on the back. It makes me want to train harder and compete more.
As for fairness, it's not only fair to the person wanting to get belted, its the only fair thing for you so that you can guarantee that your putting out a great representative and its only fair to other 10th planet peeps wanting to get promoted and that have been promoted. I love knowing that if someone is a certain belt level in our system they earned it just like I did in one way or another and when I get my belts passed to me from your hand that I deserved it and it's a true honor when done.
DV