The Power of Yet
Growth Mindset on the Mat
“I can’t do it… yet.”
That one little word changes everything.
In a world that celebrates quick wins and instant results, helping kids—and even adults—build a resilient mindset is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer. At Crabapple Martial Arts Academy in Milton, we don’t just teach blocks, kicks, and katas. We teach students how to handle frustration, how to push through failure, and most importantly, how to believe in their ability to grow. Not someday—right now, step by step.
It’s called the growth mindset. And it’s one of the cornerstones of both martial arts and personal development. Coined by Dr. Carol Dweck, the term describes the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and perseverance. In the dojo, this belief plays out in real time. A student struggles with a spinning hook kick. They mess up their kata during testing. They lose focus during sparring. And yet—they come back, again and again. Because that one word—yet—keeps the door open for improvement.
Why Fixed Mindsets Fail Fast
You can hear a fixed mindset in a student’s voice.
“I’m just not flexible.”
“I’ll never be able to remember all this.”
“I’m not good at sparring.”
Statements like these sound final. They put a lid on potential. And unfortunately, they’re common—especially in high-pressure environments like school or sports, where results are measured constantly and mistakes can feel public and permanent.
At our Milton academy, we work hard to reframe those thoughts from day one. We teach our students that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re feedback. When a student says “I can’t,” our instructors often reply, “You can’t yet. But let’s try again.” That small shift rewires how they respond to challenges. Instead of shutting down, they lean in. Instead of quitting, they adapt. And over time, they develop the confidence to believe that effort does make a difference.
How the Mat Teaches Grit
Martial arts is the perfect training ground for growth mindset because progress is earned—not given. There are no shortcuts to a black belt. You can’t fast-track your way through forms or bluff your way through sparring. Every belt is a checkpoint in a long journey of discipline, focus, and repetition. And within that journey, there are countless moments when things don’t go right.
But those moments are gold. When a student struggles with a kata or freezes during a belt test, they have a choice: freeze and fold—or reset and try again. Our job as instructors is to guide them back to the second path. To remind them that the struggle is the training. That success isn’t a straight line. It’s a loop of effort, failure, adjustment, and growth.
This approach builds true mindset toughness. And in our Milton classes, we see it every week: students who once got discouraged by challenges start showing up with resilience. They begin to enjoy the process—not just the result.
From “I Can’t” to “Watch Me”
One of the most rewarding parts of teaching martial arts is seeing the transformation that happens when students realize they’re capable of more than they thought. A student who once said, “I can’t do push-ups,” suddenly knocks out ten. Another who avoided sparring raises their gloves and steps forward. The skill isn’t just physical—it’s mental. And it’s rooted in their shift from a fixed to a growth mindset.
We encourage this with language, structure, and consistency. Feedback is framed around progress. We praise effort, not just outcome. And we create opportunities for students to lead—because when they teach others, they reinforce the belief that they, too, can keep learning.
Parents in Milton often tell us they’ve seen this change at home and school, too. Kids who were once afraid to make mistakes become more confident. More curious. More open to challenges. That’s the power of martial arts. It doesn’t just build stronger bodies—it builds more flexible minds.
Final Thoughts: Build the Mind, and the Body Will Follow
Martial arts is so much more than physical training. It’s mindset training in disguise. Every kick, every drill, every test is a chance to remind students that who they are right now isn’t fixed. They’re still learning. Still improving. Still becoming. That’s the magic of yet.
So whether you’re a parent looking for ways to build resilience in your child, or a student facing your own frustrations on the mat—remember: you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep going.
You might not be there… yet. But you’re getting closer every day.
Check out these related Blog Posts:
Martial Arts & Mental Toughness
Crabapplemartialarts.com and Crabapple Martial Arts Academy has been selected the nation’s #1 martial arts schools for SIX YEARS IN A ROW by the American Budokai International!
Founded in 2013 by Mr. C. Matthew White is a 5th-degree Black Belt in Karate and 6th-degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu, and Master Instructor. Crabapple Martial Arts Academy has Karate lessons for pre-school children to elementary kids ages 4 and up. These classes are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for each age group – for school excellence and later success in life.
Crabapple Martial Arts Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program. This is for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.
Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at of****@******************ts.com or call directly at 770-645-0930. You can also visit our website at CrabappleMartialArts.com.
About C. Matthew White, Shihan: Matt is a fifth-degree black belt in a traditional Japanese and Okinawan Martial Arts – Shuri Ryu Karatedo. He is also a sixth-degree black belt in Japanese Jiu Jitsu – Shintoyoshin Kai Jiu Jitsu. He is a master instructor with the title of Shihan, which means teacher of teachers in Japanese. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Physiology. He has been training and teaching martial arts for over 27 years. He has owned Crabapple Martial Arts Academy since 2013. Shihan White is a motivational speaker and educator, who teaches seminars in bullying, business, and martial arts training.
Crabapple Martial Arts Academy Headquarters is in Alpharetta, Georgia at 12315 Crabapple Road., Suite 124, Alpharetta GA 30004. You can locate the Chief Instructor, Sensei Robert Reed there or directly at (770) 645-0930.