The Importance Of Goal Setting
Where would you like to be in12 months’ time? What does your future self look like in 5 year’s time? What can you see yourself doing in 10 years’ time.
These might seem like “big” questions but if you have no idea what you want from the future, it will be harder to see a change. If you have clear and specific goals you can work towards them, achieve them and then have huge satisfaction from their completion – and then reset your next goal!
Martial arts are the easiest sport in which to see goal setting working at its best. Most people start for reasons of health, fitness, to learn a skill and meet new people. Once they have completed a few gradings they soon see that a black belt is a possibility and that can be their goal (or another belt either lower or higher). Over time it is all achievable and there is always more to learn in Kuk Sool Won.
However, this does not have to just apply to martial arts – you can apply this to any aspect of your life. If you can dream it you can do it!
Steps to apply in goal setting
1 Make your goals specific, achievable and measurable. The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to be clear in how you can achieve it. Look at your goal and then look at where you are now; then break down the steps you need to take in order to achieve that final destination. Then you just need to work your way through each step.
2 Identify how you can achieve it and even make a timetable which will make it easier to stick to. Make it something that you can fit into your existing schedule; if you give yourself an impossible task, you are setting yourself up for failure. Don’t get overwhelmed by looking at the final goal, just concentrate on each step and how you can achieve that.
3 Use moderately difficult goals because unless it is hard you won’t work for it and you won’t feel the achievement once you have reached it. If it is too easy it is just a waste of time and if it is too hard you may not feel motivated.
4 Be accountable. Tell others what you are doing, share it on social media and put reminders on your fridge etc. If you make sure everyone knows what you are doing, they will help motivate you and it will be a constant reminder to keep pushing.
5 Monitor your progress – if you have a list of what you need to do each week/month etc, you can tick it off as you go and that will help motivate you to continue. Add tasks to a calendar, on your phone etc and that will help you keep on track.
How this applies to your Kuk Sool Won training
Luckily for you, this is all covered in your Kuk Sool Won training. The goals are there for you to choose – blue belt, brown belt, black belt and beyond. You choose where you want to go and then the steps are set out for you as the various coloured belts and the different levels of black belt. If you want to do well at tournaments let your instructors know and we will work all the way with you to help you achieve that.
