Goal setting is a powerful process that gets you thinking about your future as it also motivates you to take action.
Goal setting is an important part of the martial arts and is used by Master black belts and high achievers in every field.
For some, it’s about getting their black belt. For others, it’s about loosing weight, getting into better shape while others do it for improved self confidence.
However, the secret is that you must properly set your goals in such a way so that you can realistically achieve them.
By setting distinct, clearly defined goals, you can easily measure your accomplishment of those goals and check them off your list.
If your goal is black belt in four years from the day you started, then each belt test is one step closer to that goal. It’s easy to build a timeline based around this goal as you know how many belts you are away from black belt.
Before you set any goal, be sure to answer the question “Why do I want to achieve this goal?” The more reasons you have motivating yourself besides “I just want it” the better you be to keep motivated and on track.
There are many types of goals you might set in your life including family, education, work, financial, physical, charity and more. The good news is the process is the same no matter what kind of goal you’ve set for yourself.
Goal Setting Tips
* Be precise.
* Set priorities.
* Write goals down.
* Set performance goals, not just outcome goals.
* Set realistic goals.
Further, a commonly adopted approach to goal setting, known as the SMART method, is as follows:
1. Specific – Goals must be specific.
2. Measurable – They must be quantifiable.
3. Attainable – Set goals that push you but are achievable.
4. Realistic – This means do-able, not necessarily easy.
5. Time-Bound – With no deadline, it is easy to put things off.
It’s amazing how setting the right goals and achieving them leads to increased self-confidence and feeling better about yourself. I am reminded of this every time I reach a new goal I’ve set for myself.
If you haven’t set a goal in your martial arts training, I challenge you to set, define then crush your goals!
About Ryan
Wow… very good article! I agree that goal setting is very important and planning your goals by writing them down is even more important. If there’s one thing i’ve learned it’s that if you don’t write down your goals (whatever they may be) then they are simply wishes. When you write down your goal on paper, it’s bringing your goal into reality. It becomes a tangible item that you can see physically in the real world. Your goal then becomes more real to you, and it gives you the motivation and confidence to strategize a plan of attack. If you fail to plan, then you are planing to fail. Hope that makes sense. Thanks