As you train in tae kwon do, or anything else really, you learn more and more and become better and better. But as with many things, progress is relative.

You may learn the Chung Ji pattern, and learn it well enough to test for yellow belt, and easily pass the test. So you have mastered the pattern, and only need to remember how to do it, right?

Not exactly. As you learn more about the motions, you will realize you weren’t doing some motions correctly, or they could be improved. Maybe your punches aren’t always aimed at the same location. Maybe your heel comes up when you punch. Maybe your stance is too narrow for front stance.

Even as a black belt, you will still have more to learn even from Chung Ji. To an outsider, you may well look to be performing the pattern perfectly and beautifully…until they see someone of an even higher rank performing it even better.

The beginner’s mind is a concept where you are always learning, even about things you already know. With the mind of the beginner, you are more open to learning, and can improve faster. It also keeps you humble, knowing how much more you have to learn even about things you already know.

This also applies outside of the martial arts. You think you are good at math? You know how to add and subtract? Have you tried doing it in a number base other than 10? Do you even know what a number base IS?

Rather than be disappointed in how much you have to learn, realize you ALWAYS have more to learn, and rejoice in the limitless possibilities ahead of you. You will never be perfect, but get closer and closer to perfection the more you practice.