Every Black Belt starts with one decision. The Black Belt Mindset is the sixteen-week character curriculum every new Mile High Karate student begins with. Written by Grand Master Stephen Oliver and Grand Master Jeff Smith, it teaches children and adults the eight Black Belt Success Skills in plain words a seven-year-old can follow and an adult can use at work. It is the beginner stage of the character development and leadership curriculum.
The program comes in three books: the student book, a workbook with one lesson for every chapter, and an Instructor’s Manual with a 3–4 minute Mat Chat for each week. All three are free to download below, and every lesson is also on this site.
Download the Complete Books
The Black Belt Mindset
Sixteen Weeks to Black Belt and Beyond
166 pages with covers · PDF, 8.2 MB
The Black Belt Mindset Workbook
Goal pages, home challenges and the instructor guide
130 pages with covers · PDF, 5.8 MB
The Black Belt Mindset Instructor’s Manual
Mat Chat lessons and discussion guide
78 pages with covers · PDF, 2.4 MB
The 16 Lessons
Each lesson page has the full chapter, the workbook lesson and the instructor’s Mat Chat with its discussion guide. Weeks 1–8 are Test Cycle 1 and weeks 9–16 are Test Cycle 2. After week 16 the curriculum starts again at week 1, and a new student can join any week.
| Week | Lesson | Black Belt Success Skill | Key Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aim Before You Kick | Goal Attainment & Positive Self-Expectancy | TARGET |
| 2 | Never Quit | Definite Commitment | COMMIT |
| 3 | Knowledge, Honesty, Strength | Unshakable Character & Personal Honesty | HONEST |
| 4 | See the Black Belt in the Mirror | Visualization | SEE |
| 5 | Expect Good Things | Total Self-Confidence | EXPECT |
| 6 | What You Say When You Talk to Yourself | Positive Self-Talk | CANCEL |
| 7 | Do It Without Being Told | No Excuses | DISCIPLINE |
| 8 | Courtesy and Respect | Positive Respect | RESPECT |
| 9 | Know Yourself | Goal Attainment & Positive Self-Expectancy | MIRROR |
| 10 | The Fire Inside | Definite Commitment | FIRE |
| 11 | An Action Is Worth a Thousand Pictures | Unshakable Character & Personal Honesty | ACTION |
| 12 | Like Who You Are | Total Self-Confidence | EARN |
| 13 | Walk Like a Black Belt | Visualization | PICTURE |
| 14 | You Are in Charge of You | Positive Self-Talk | CHOOSE |
| 15 | Small Steps, Every Day | No Excuses | STREAK |
| 16 | The Black Belt Is a Beginning | All Eight Together (Black Belt and Beyond) | BEYOND |
How the Curriculum Works
- Read the chapter. Each of the sixteen chapters stands alone and takes about 15 minutes to read. Young students read with a parent.
- Hear the Mat Chat. Instructors teach the week’s lesson in a 3–4 minute talk at line-up, then lead a short discussion for every age on the mat.
- Practice it on the mat. Each week has a Key Word, a Call and Response and a mat drill that turns the idea into action.
- Do the Home Challenge. A seven-day behavior challenge, signed off by a parent, earns an attitude stripe.
- Take the next goal step. Every week includes a Black Belt and Beyond goal step, from writing a SMART Black Belt goal to the Black Belt and Beyond invitation at graduation.
The Eight Black Belt Success Skills
- Goal Attainment & Positive Self-Expectancy. Expect good results and work to make them happen.
- Definite Commitment. Decide for sure. “Maybe” means no.
- Unshakable Character & Personal Honesty. Know who you are, take responsibility, and be honest in word and deed.
- Visualization. See it before you do it.
- Total Self-Confidence. You can do what you are willing to work for.
- Positive Self-Talk. Control the voice in your head so it supports your goals.
- No Excuses. Take 100% responsibility for your results.
- Positive Respect. Good manners, respect for others, and respect for yourself.
The Mile High Karate Student Creed
Written by Grand Master Stephen Oliver. Mile High Karate students say it together in class.
- “I develop myself physically and mentally, based on the MILE HIGH KARATE SPIRIT.”
- “I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or physical health.”
- “I intend to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.”
- “I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively, and never be abusive or offensive.”
The Principles of the Black Belt
- Modesty. Be proud of your work without bragging.
- Courtesy. Use good manners and kindness with everyone, every time.
- Integrity. Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
- Perseverance. Keep going when it gets hard.
- Courage. Do the right thing even when you feel afraid.
- Indomitable Spirit. Never let anything beat your spirit. Never give up.
About the Authors
Grand Master Stephen Oliver, 10th Degree Black Belt, founded Mile High Karate in 1983 and trained under Grand Master Jhoon Rhee. Grand Master Jeff Smith, 10th Degree Black Belt and former PKA World Champion, is Mile High Karate’s Chief of Instruction. Together they have helped more than 1,000 students, ages 5 to 76, earn a Mile High Karate Black Belt.
Questions
What is The Black Belt Mindset?
A 16-week character curriculum for new Mile High Karate students, children and adults. It teaches the eight Black Belt Success Skills through a student book, a workbook and an Instructor’s Manual.
How long does it take?
Sixteen weeks: two 8-week test cycles, one lesson per week. After week 16 the curriculum starts again at week 1.
Can a student start in the middle?
Yes. Every chapter stands alone, so a new student simply starts with the current week.
What age is it written for?
About a 6th-grade reading level, so adults can study it and it can be taught to elementary-age children with a parent’s help.
Are the books free?
Yes. The complete book, workbook and Instructor’s Manual can be downloaded as PDFs from this page.
Start at Mile High Karate Thornton, 3979 E 120th Ave, Thornton, CO 80233. Call (303) 280-1839, or see class schedules and enrollment at ThorntonMHK.com.