When I teach martial arts or boxing, there’s something I often say to my students:
“Every class is a private class — if you treat it that way.”
The idea is simple but powerful. Whether you’re one of ten students or fifty, you can choose to approach each session like it was designed just for you. Imagine that every correction, every cue, and every bit of coaching is being directed at you personally.
I once heard a story that stuck with me — about a beginner who asked a highly skilled black belt how he got so good. The black belt replied, “I only take private classes.” The beginner was surprised. But the black belt went on: “No matter how many people are in the room, I treat every instruction the coach gives as if it were said to me alone.”
That’s the mindset of a great student.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or advanced. It doesn’t matter if your coach says something to the group or to someone across the room. If you listen as though it’s meant for you, and you apply it as if you paid for a one-on-one lesson, your growth will skyrocket.
You don’t need to be in a private session to get private-level value. You just need the right attitude and attention.
So the next time you step into class, treat every word as a gift — because it is.
Shihan Dave Durman is a martial arts instructor and strategic business coach who helps small business owners — especially in the fitness and service industries — grow with clarity, systems, and support. Whether it’s optimizing your operations, refining your brand, or building automation into your sales pipeline, Dave helps you see what you’ve been missing — and take action on it.