Elite coaches B. E. Brown and R. Miller of Proactive Coaching LLC once conducted a three decade long survey, asking successful college athletes what their parents said that made them feel best when they played sports as kids.

Guess what their #1 answer was?

A simple phrase consisting of six magical words:

“I love to watch you practice.”

That’s it.

Nothing aggrandizing like “you’re the champ,” or discouraging like “try harder”. Not even a deceptively supporting “here’s a couple of things you can improve.”

Just…

“I love to watch you practice!”

Simple, elegant and incredibly powerful.

This 6-word phrase, dear Karate parents, is the key to ensuring your kids will love to practice Karate for years to come – with grades, belts, accolades and trophies acting as natural byproducts – not goals.

The only thing your kids really want is your undivided attention and approval anyway.

So give it to them.

Tell them: “I love to watch you practice.”

Since they love you back, the rest will take care of itself.

Greatness cannot be forced upon anyone.

It grows from the joy of practice.

Coach less.

Love more.