Dress the Part

When I did my big Marie Kondo decluttering marathon, my gumdo uniforms ended up in the sentimental category. I remember who I trained with, when and where for each one. They are precious memories, and I enjoy recalling them when I see the uniforms in my closet.

Your uniform signifies belonging. By being in a group of people with the same uniforms, you have a very tangible sign that you are a part of something bigger.

When we put on our uniforms, it signals to our brains that it’s time to train. It reminds us that we’re martial artists. We’re dressing as the person we want to be. When we tie on the black belt, we show up as a black belt.

How you wear your uniform says a lot about your approach to training. Is your uniform wrinkly and uneven? Is it crisp and well fitted? Are you just going through the motions or are you pursuing excellence?

We learn these lessons in class, but they also apply in our daily lives. The logos we wear show what groups we identify with. We show up differently based on what we wear. Wearing sweats and wearing a suit feel completely different, and come with different behavioral expectations. 

Be conscious of your choices. Be intentional with what you communicate. 

What message does your personal uniform send to the world?