The success of a martial artist depends on many factors - the student, the instructor(s), fellowclassmates/martial artists and his/her family.  In life, success is seldom achieved alone.  There is no exception for the martial arts. For a student to earn a black belt and become a leader and a good role model for other students, they must rely on their "martial arts circle of influence" and not just on their own abilities.  This team of people all work together to ensure the student's success in earning his or her black belt. What is the martial art circle of influence?  According to Stephen Covey, author of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a person’s “circle of influence” is the group of people he or she associates with and who impacts and shapes his or her life.  To gain the most out of life we should pay attention to who we keep in our circle as relationships are one of the top factors that shapes our lives and influences our daily decisions.   The martial art circle of influence includes all the people who will directly and indirectly affect the training and maturation of an inexperienced martial artist into a black belt leader.  ...