Everyone who starts karate wants to know how long it will take them to become a black belt. Everyone wants to know what the short-cuts are. The truth is, there are none. If you want your black belt quickly, go out and buy one and put it around your waist. But it will mean nothing. It won't make you good at karate. You haven't earned it, and that is the key. In karate, you have to EARN the belt you wear. You may even have earned a belt that you don't wear yet, and that is good too. Better to wear a yellow belt even if you are good enough to be a green belt, than to wear a purple belt when you are only really green belt standard.

Some people may achieve black belt in 3 years, but they train 5 days a week, never miss a class and work hard in class. Other students may take 6 years to get to black belt standard, but they only train 2 days a week, and take a month off now and then. If you put in the effort, you will get the reward. Only you can decide how long it will take you to get to black belt.

How Long?

Student: How long will it take me to get to black belt?

Sensei: 5 years.

Student: How long will it take if I never miss a class?

Sensei: 10 years.

Student: How long will it take if I train hard every day?

Sensei: 15 years.

Student: How long will it take if I pay you lots of money ?

Sensei: You will never reach black belt.

Student: Why does the time get longer every time I try to make it shorter?

Sensei: Because are looking at the destination, but not at the journey. You should concentrate on becoming as good at karate as you can, not on the rewards for being good.

In reality, if you train hard you may get your black belt sooner, but if you only train because you want to be a black belt as soon as possible, then you will never reach the goal.