Goal Setting for the Martial Artists

“It doesn’t matter how good of a shot you are, if you do not know what your target is, you’ll never hit.”

As with most things in life, if you don’t know exactly what you want, how will you ever get it?

This is also true with the Martial Arts.  When I first started training in the Martial Arts, I wondered what separated those who earned their belts quickly and those that didn’t.

First off, you can never exclude the idea of natural talent.  There will always be those that are simply excellent at what they do.  However, this is a very small minority.

What truly separates those so called “quick learners” from the “slow learners” (measured by speed to attain their belts) are those that had a combination of drive and focus. Those who had a burning desire to attain their next belt, but also had a plan on HOW they would attain their goals. Simply stated, they have a plan for success and focus on attaining that success.

This plan can be called many things, but for the sake of this article, we will call it goal setting. Let’s review a simple 6 step strategy for success in the martial arts:

Step 1- Clearly define what you want. Do you want your yellow belt, do you want to be learn a back flip, or do you want to learn a new Kata etc…

Step 2- Write down your goal. Very important!  By writing down what you want to accomplish you tell your brain that you are serious about this achievement. Written goals are far more likely to be accomplished and taken seriously.

Step 3- Below your goal, write down WHEN you want to accomplish it. Give your goal a limited time frame.  Too often we hear, “I’ve got all year to make that happen.”  Then one year later, it’s still not complete. A good example of this would be an often repeated New Year Resolution.

Step 4- Create the plan. Will you be staying after class an extra hour to practice?  Will you spend at least one hour a day training by yourself?  If you need help or advice, find someone who has already accomplished what you want to do.

Ask for help. If no instructors are available to help you, find a student that is slightly more advanced.  Use the tools that you have access to: google, youtube, put an ad in craigslist, etc…

Step 5- Start NOW! The silent killer for all goals is PROCRASTINATION.  You must start now on this or you will simply find another excuse to delay tomorrow, then the next, then next week.

Step 6- Focus on your goal. Tape your goal to the bathroom mirror.  Assuming you brush your teeth when you wake and before you sleep, your goal will be the first think you see in the morning and the last you see before you sleep.

There you go, your 6 step plan to accomplishing any goal in the martial arts.

Photo Credits: lululemon athletica

Originally posted 2010-04-10 03:47:10.

This post involves:

belts, Martial Arts, new kata, setting goals, slow learners

... and focuses on:

Martial Arts

Posted by Martial Arts Karate Kung Fu on January 21, 2012 in Martial Arts. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.