Go to many schools and you’ll find one thing lacking…ego!
In Jiu-Jitsu schools there’s often a sign that says “leave your ego at the door,” hanging in a prominent place in the school. Ego is something that will stifle progression, worse than missing classes will. Let me say this, there is a healthy ego, which is knowing what you’re genuinely capable of, and an unsubstantiated or unhealthy ego, thinking you’re the best, thinking you’re something you’re not et cetera.
Ego will make you believe that you’re better than you are, it will cause you to make mistakes and halt progress. Ego will push other students away from you and make them not want to train with you. All in all…ego is the enemy of martial arts!
Lower yourself, as Musashi said, “Think light of the self and heavy of the world.” Do not let ego stand in the way of all that martial arts have to offer you.
Belts and titles are nice, but they are not what the martial arts are ultimately about, it is about developing the self and being a better you each and every day. I would never have a student of mine call me master, though it is the level of instruction I have received, in my own eyes, i am still just a student myself…and I always will be. My healthy ego says you’re pretty good and you can hold your own and discuss the martial arts with almost anyone.
Only an unhealthy ego fixates on titles, ranks, and being better than another individual in training. I am better than no one, however, I am a better me than who I was yesterday and that is always the goal. Ego has no place in a martial arts school of any style, all it will do is hamper your abilities and make others flee from you.