This Is How Long It Takes To Get A Black Belt

How long does it take to get a black belt?

This is a question I often hear when potential new students are visiting the dojo, inquiring about training.

Many traditional martial artists get upset by this question.

They take it personally.

But they forget that the person asking is not in the tradition yet.

In the dojo it is considered bad taste ask about rank and how long it takes to get, or why one has not gotten it yet. It points to the idea that a student is more interested in the status of the rank and not the training, and understanding that rank is a trap for more reasonability and obligation. 

But somebody asking outside of the dojo, what are they really asking?

I interpret the question to be more along the lines as a genuine question looking for guidance.

Something in life has sparked or brought them to the dojo, and not they are trying to make sense of figuring it all out.

Observing an entire new life of movement and experience, trying to figure out if they can do it.

The only frame of reference most people have for the martial arts is the “black belt”, meaning it represents a level of skill and competency. 

They want to know if they can do that, if they can get to that level, so they ask how long it takes as a signal or guidepost.

It is a question worth answering and explaining, on average it tends to take this amount of time and requires the following. 

Explain it so they can have a map, and then work on the idea of focusing and enjoying the journey, and as a teacher getting them to that point.

The rest all kind of falls into place.