1. Practice, practice, practice

Work on technique - whether its on the bag, shadow boxing, forms etc. Spend some time in front of the mirror and be critical. Watch the masters and try your best to copy their attributes. As a beginner, your power grows exponentially with little technique improvements. As you move on, your power increases through repetition of good technique at full speed.

2. Be a gentleman

Different arts practice different codes or virtues, many MMA schools do as well. Looking at all the masters - Dan Inosanto, He Il Cho, Gene Labelle, Gracies - they are all professional and cordial. These men have tremendous martial powress and seem very respectable as people first and foremost - because of this, they can win the hearts and minds of new students, make meaningful relationships with other martial artists and business associates.

3. Conditioning

You don't have to be a triathlete or powerlifter to do martial arts or combat sports, but improving your strength, stamina, sensitivity and timing will make you a more powerful striker, give you longer staying power and allow you to frustrate your opponent. Improved conditioning = Improved fighting.

4. Fight

Do sparring drills. Spar. Grapple. Be a spar whore - spar with as many different types of fighters from different styles or with no style. Challenge yourself by going a round or two with someone better, bigger, stronger etc. and then critique yourself.

5. Communicate