The Korean way

I was reading Ramit Sotho’s blog (I will teach you to be rich) the other day and I came across this gem as far as advice go. I called it the Korean way and put in my own thoughts and words.Koreans totally dominate the field of archery. So prior to the 2012 London Games, Americans and other medal hunting countries (Malaysia, Brazil and the Philippines) were really trying to get Korean coaches, (any Korean!) to coach their archery teams.. The clamour for their services is understandable – South Korean archers have won 30 Olympic medals, 16 of them gold, and hold every world record with the Olympic-style recurve bow. The story is the same in football where teams scramble for coaches from Brazil (and other successful footballing nations) as their tickets to glory in the Beautiful Game.Thus the question, what do Korean instructors and Brazilian coaches do that others don’t? It is said South Korean archery students practice the most basic elements until they have perfected the technique and biomechanics.They have six months intensive training before they shoot their first arrow. You may have also heard the story of the young Pele practicing his dribbling skills with an orange in an orchard? Other people’s approach is much more direct, and much less successful. What we often tend to do is the equivalent of just sticking a bow in the hand right away and then spending the rest of the time trying to break bad habits. Just get started. (Which is not always good advice). Give me the one thing to do. What are some crunchy tactical tips?Are we willing to learn about strategy? Take time – months, sometimes years – to perfect the craft? No way. Give me the shortcuts so I can do it today. I want to make profits in this business even before I invest in it. We are too caught up in short term thinking.You know, practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes permanent. The more you practice something (be it right or wrong), the more you lay it on your hard drive and the harder it is to get rid of it.But the Korean way demands such sacrifice that it will not work with some athletes or sporting cultures. Some want immediate gratification in the form of medals or championships instead of long-term, long-lasting success. Likewise, a lot of want, quick profit and do not think of sustainability of the same; the long term. I submit that it is one of the key ideas why most businesses fail; this approach to doing business is a starry-eyed ticket to a disastrous end.The Korean archers actually understand that extraordinary accomplishment comes from extraordinary work. So do the Brazilian footballers. Likewise, we need to see the point of building deep expertise, creating long-term habits, and truly crafting mastery. It is the proven surefire way to success.Seeking super tactical tips without understanding any strategy or the systems that support it just won’t do. It is why universities take students through deep theoretical training when they take courses (problem is that most of ours seem to stop there). If you find yourself searching for tactic after tactic, a quick fix; take an honest look in the mirror.Consider the prospect of a one year MBA without a first degree attractive… It is like winning on Olympic gold without practice, a beautiful rose flower without roots; it just does not happen, it is a farce. There is something deeper beneath the surface. Something about not just HOW to do something well....but WHAT to do in the first place to live a successful life?As the writing I saw on a T-shirt the other day goes…the secret is that there is no secret! Try the Korean way.