--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the lessons I learned in all those…" description: "\"One of the lessons I learned in all those years practicing karate is that progress only comes in small incremental portions.\" — Georges St-Pierre" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg" --- # One of the lessons I learned in all those years practicing… ![“One of the lessons I learned in all those years practicing karate is that progress only comes in small incremental portions.” quote by Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg) > “One of the lessons I learned in all those years practicing karate is that progress only comes in small incremental portions.” [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress in karate, and in life, occurs through tiny, steady improvements. **In simple terms:** Small steps lead to mastery. Key Takeaway Focus on incremental gains. Themes discipline incremental progress martate Mood encouraging reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - daily training - learning a language - fitness routines - skill practice Key Concepts martial arts habit formation skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What small habit could you improve? - How do you stay motivated with slow gains? A Different Perspective Patience is required; progress can feel slow. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Incremental Portions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incremental-portions-5803084/) [Karate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karate/) [Karate Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karate-progress-5803083/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Mma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mma/) [Portions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portions/) [Practicing Karate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practicing-karate-861066/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Small Incremental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-incremental-1515282/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years Practicing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-practicing-861067/) ## Related quotes > [Even in the forty years that I have been practicing Karate, the changes have been many. It would be interesting to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeru-egami/even-in-the-forty-years-that-i-have-been-practicing-karate-the/) [Shigeru Egami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeru-egami/) > [After 26 years, I am still practicing what I preach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-h-cooper/after-26-years-i-am-still-practicing-what-i-preach/) [Kenneth H. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-h-cooper/) > [Sometimes it's more difficult to achieve a 10% cost reduction than it is to tell people they have to achieve 50%. Small incremental steps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/sometimes-it-s-more-difficult-to-achieve-a-10-cost-reduction-than-it/) [Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/) > [“there’s also a lot to be said for making small, incremental changes that reap big dividends in the long term.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hunt-davis/there-s-also-a-lot-to-be-said-for-making-small-incremental-changes/) [Ben Hunt-Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hunt-davis/) > [As a professional, it has been about making small, incremental improvements to my game and body and keeping my focus on the short term.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-scheffler/as-a-professional-it-has-been-about-making-small-incremental/) [Scottie Scheffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-scheffler/) > [I used my Karate footwork to control the distance, and I use is as a penetration drill that I do, this is my speciality,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/i-used-my-karate-footwork-to-control-the-distance-and-i-use-is-as-a/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [People don't understand, yeah I'm alright as a wrestler, but I beat people in the takedown because of my distance control - because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/people-don-t-understand-yeah-i-m-alright-as-a-wrestler-but-i-beat/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Kyokoshin I've done most, but I competed in Sports Karate also, that's my style that I come from, and mixed with the wrestling that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/kyokoshin-i-ve-done-most-but-i-competed-in-sports-karate-also-that-s/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [John flung himself into a pseudo-karate stance, one hand poised behind him and one in front, posed like a cartoon cactus. I thought for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/john-flung-himself-into-a-pseudo-karate-stance-one-hand-poised-behind/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) > [I enjoy watching the karate practitioners because of their high spiritual level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/i-enjoy-watching-the-karate-practitioners-because-of-their-high/) [Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/) > [My fashion was not the best in the '80s. I looked crazy as hell. I used to wear my pants tucked into my socks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-cole/my-fashion-was-not-the-best-in-the-80s-i-looked-crazy-as-hell-i-used/) [Deon Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-cole/) > [Yes?' Joe Solomon sounded like someone with far better things to do. 'Is there any homework?' she asked, and the class turned instantly from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/yes-joe-solomon-sounded-like-someone-with-far-better-things-to-do-is/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [I did a bit of karate - I'm a blackbelt - so I know how to move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elodie-yung/i-did-a-bit-of-karate-i-m-a-blackbelt-so-i-know-how-to-move/) [Elodie Yung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elodie-yung/) > [My other brother-in-law died. He was a karate expert, then joined the army. The first time he saluted, he killed himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/my-other-brother-in-law-died-he-was-a-karate-expert-then-joined-the/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-ultimate-aim-of-karate-lies-not-in-victory-or-defeat-but-in-the/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) ## More by Georges St-Pierre > [No two journeys are alike. Nobody can pretend to know the journey another person takes to achieve his dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/no-two-journeys-are-alike-nobody-can-pretend-to-know-the-journey/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [I'm always scared when I fight. But that fear is what keeps me more alert and more focused. It's good to have fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/i-m-always-scared-when-i-fight-but-that-fear-is-what-keeps-me-more/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [The truth is that I didn't start as a winner. When I was a kid, I was just another reject. I started at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/the-truth-is-that-i-didn-t-start-as-a-winner-when-i-was-a-kid-i-was/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [I see the world as a knowledge hardware story, and every day I'm just walking through the aisles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/i-see-the-world-as-a-knowledge-hardware-story-and-every-day-i-m-just/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [There are two kinds of people who do martial arts: those who practice a thousand different kicks one time each, and those who practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/there-are-two-kinds-of-people-who-do-martial-arts-those-who-practice/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [This extends to all things, but you only learn it by losing a few times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/this-extends-to-all-things-but-you-only-learn-it-by-losing-a-few-times/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [My mentality is like a samurai they used to train every day, work on their technique to make themselves better, almost perfect, perfection is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/my-mentality-is-like-a-samurai-they-used-to-train-every-day-work-on/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Kyokoshin I've done most, but I competed in Sports Karate also, that's my style that I come from, and mixed with the wrestling that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/kyokoshin-i-ve-done-most-but-i-competed-in-sports-karate-also-that-s/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [I've trained myself to fight an army, so one guy will not defeat me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/i-ve-trained-myself-to-fight-an-army-so-one-guy-will-not-defeat-me/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you do good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/if-you-look-good-you-feel-good-and-if-you-feel-good-you-do-good/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [When you pay attention to detail, the big picture will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/when-you-pay-attention-to-detail-the-big-picture-will-take-care-of/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [If I'm disrespectful to my opponent, how can I respect myself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/if-i-m-disrespectful-to-my-opponent-how-can-i-respect-myself/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Humility is the first rule of martial arts. Either you learn humility quickly, or you leave because your ego can't handle losing repeatedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/humility-is-the-first-rule-of-martial-arts-either-you-learn-humility/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Everyone in life faces obstacles. That's what made me who I am. I don't regret to have been bullied because probably if I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/everyone-in-life-faces-obstacles-that-s-what-made-me-who-i-am-i-don-t/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Dana White came out very often in public saying I'm this and that; I'm sure it's also to play with my ego, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/dana-white-came-out-very-often-in-public-saying-i-m-this-and-that-i-m/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) [Explore all 170 Georges St-Pierre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) ## More Karate quotes > [The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-ultimate-aim-of-karate-lies-not-in-victory-or-defeat-but-in-the/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [My other brother-in-law died. He was a karate expert, then joined the army. The first time he saluted, he killed himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/my-other-brother-in-law-died-he-was-a-karate-expert-then-joined-the/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [I did a bit of karate - I'm a blackbelt - so I know how to move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elodie-yung/i-did-a-bit-of-karate-i-m-a-blackbelt-so-i-know-how-to-move/) [Elodie Yung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elodie-yung/) > [Yes?' Joe Solomon sounded like someone with far better things to do. 'Is there any homework?' she asked, and the class turned instantly from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/yes-joe-solomon-sounded-like-someone-with-far-better-things-to-do-is/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [My fashion was not the best in the '80s. I looked crazy as hell. I used to wear my pants tucked into my socks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-cole/my-fashion-was-not-the-best-in-the-80s-i-looked-crazy-as-hell-i-used/) [Deon Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-cole/) > [I enjoy watching the karate practitioners because of their high spiritual level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/i-enjoy-watching-the-karate-practitioners-because-of-their-high/) [Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/) > [John flung himself into a pseudo-karate stance, one hand poised behind him and one in front, posed like a cartoon cactus. I thought for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/john-flung-himself-into-a-pseudo-karate-stance-one-hand-poised-behind/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) > [The spirit of karate practice and the elements of training are applicable to each and every aspect of our daily lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-spirit-of-karate-practice-and-the-elements-of-training-are/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [“To appreciate the best opportunity for attack and defence, you must fully understand the rhythm of movement. (Page 28).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/to-appreciate-the-best-opportunity-for-attack-and-defence-you-must/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [Kyokoshin I've done most, but I competed in Sports Karate also, that's my style that I come from, and mixed with the wrestling that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/kyokoshin-i-ve-done-most-but-i-competed-in-sports-karate-also-that-s/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Karate is not a game. It is not a sport. It is not even a system of self-defense. Karate is half physical exercise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mas-oyama/karate-is-not-a-game-it-is-not-a-sport-it-is-not-even-a-system-of/) [Mas Oyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mas-oyama/) > [Last week I lost my temper in my karate class. Man, I'm not doing that again until I'm a black belt. Because I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/last-week-i-lost-my-temper-in-my-karate-class-man-i-m-not-doing-that/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [In the mornings at around 5:30 A.M., I train karate with my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyoto-machida/in-the-mornings-at-around-5-30-a-m-i-train-karate-with-my-family/) [Lyoto Machida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyoto-machida/) > [In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods, throwing techniques and pressure against joints are included … all these techniques should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/in-karate-hitting-thrusting-and-kicking-are-not-the-only-methods/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [I tried a little of everything when I was little. I tried karate, I tried ballet, I tried piano lessons and singing lessons... I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassie-ventura/i-tried-a-little-of-everything-when-i-was-little-i-tried-karate-i/) [Cassie Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassie-ventura/) [Browse all 265 Karate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the lessons I learned in all those years practicing karate is that progress only comes in small incremental portions.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Georges St-Pierre" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-those-years-practicing-karate-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Karate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-those-years-practicing-karate-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/georges-st-pierre-2351_karate_one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-thos_743976.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One of the lessons I learned in all those years practicing karate is that progress only comes in small…” — Georges St-Pierre", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Georges St-Pierre", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "One of the lessons I learned...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-those-years-practicing-karate-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/one-of-the-lessons-i-learned-in-all-those-years-practicing-karate-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```