ATA Life Skills
Songahm Taekwondo also focuses on personal development of the mind and body. To say it is just self-defense would lose most of the valuable ideas and philosophy behind this ancient art.

The style of Songahm, utilizes many different aspects of behavior found in successful people, and have been aptly named Life Skills.

Focusing on these Life Skills, Songahm Taekwondo helps the student grow not only on a physical level, but on a mental level as well. This is used in disciplining the student to enable them to achieve the goals they set for themselves.

Confidence "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Napoleon Hill   1) Practice?        Anything you do will improve when you try extra hard.   2) Self Image?    Positive self image will improve you're attitude.   3) Visualization? Use your imagination to see yourself accomplish something   4) Stand Tall -    Body language is as loud as your voice, use it to send a good                             message.

Attitude "Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching? -Author Unknown   1) Positive Thoughts?   Believe in yourself!   2) Resolve?                 Make up your mind to finish what you start.   3) Expectation?           Set high standards for yourself and set the example for                                      your peers.    4) Willpower?             The power of your mind drives you to success.

Goals "Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan." -Tom Landry   1) Specific -     Know exactly what you want and how to achieve it.   2) Motivating - Keep a positive attitude and believe in yourself.   3) Achievable - Set high goals and develop steps to make it easier to reach                           them.   4) Relevant -    Remember why your goal is important to you.   5) Trackable -   Make sure that you can measure how you are progressing.

Respect "Respect is something that is earned, not commanded." Patrick Lewis   1) Manners?             Show others that you value them by being polite.   2) Follow the Rules?  When everyone acts within the guidelines there is                                    harmony.   3) Communicate?       Listen to gain understanding, talk to clarify your                                    thoughts.   4) Thoughtful?           Think of another person's needs before your own.

Self Esteem "Of all the judgments we pass in life, none is more important than the judgment we pass on ourselves." -Nathaniel Branden   1) Unique?       You are special and unlike anyone else in the world!   2) Brave?         Dare to be different, conformity is boring.   3) Proud?         Act in a way that will make you feel worthy of honor and                           respect.   4) Appreciate?  Recognize your value and believe in your potential to succeed.

Persistence "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." -Albert Einstein   1) Diligent?      Always pay attention to the task at hand.   2) Consistent?  Perform to the same standards every time you do a task.   3) Tenacious?   Never give up!   4) Drive?          Force yourself to do your very best every time!

Focus "Don't waste time calculating your chances of success and failure. Just fix your aim and begin." -Guan Yin Tzu   1) Concentrate?  Use all your energy and thoughts to accomplish a single                              purpose.   2) Train Hard?     Working on the one thing that is most difficult will make it                                 your best skill.   3) Expectation?    Prepare for the best outcome and you will get nothing less.   4) Foresee?         Believe in your ability to reach that goal by imagining the                             future result.

Discipline "With self-discipline all things are possible." T. Roosevelt   1) Self Control?  When you know what you're supposed to do AND you do it!   2) Leadership?    Set a good example for others.   3) Responsible?  You are in charge of your actions and feelings.   4) Plan?             Make a map for you goals and stick to it until you achieve                            them.

Integrity "Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching." -Jim Stovall   1) Honesty?       You always tell the truth.   2) Character?     The positive, unique qualities that make you the person you                             are.   3) Trustworthy?  Everyone knows they can depend on you to do the right                                 thing.   4) Conviction?    Standing up for what you believe in.