As 2019 winds down, most of us are starting to turn our attention to the coming year. Perhaps you’ve started to think about what you’ll accomplish in 2020 – both on the mat and beyond.
As you’re thinking about your goals for 2020 (or any time of the year), here are a few goal-setting tips to keep in mind:
1. Be Specific
Goals like “get in shape” or “lose weight” or “get better at karate” are commonly heard this time of year. But how do you know when you’re “in shape”? What does “lose weight” or “better” actually look like? Vague goals lead to vague results. Instead, be more specific in your goal setting by attaching a number or deadline to your goal. For example, turn “lose weight” into “lose 10 pounds by June 1.”
2. Be Realistic
A goal should challenge you, but you also don’t want to set yourself up with something that is beyond your grasp. Define a goal that will push you, but that’s not impossible. To get an idea of what’s realistic, think about goals you’ve attained in the past. You probably have a pretty good grasp of what’s realistic for the coming year.
3. Be Process-Oriented
Focusing too much on the outcome can cause you to lose sight of the daily steps that need to take place to accomplish your big goal. Setting a goal is step one. In step two, the focus needs to shift to “the how.” How will you reach that carrot that’s dangling out in front of you?
4. Be Invested
Tie a “why” to your goal. What is the purpose of the goal you want to achieve? What is it about this goal that will make your life better? Without understanding the intention behind our goals, the whole process may start to feel meaningless, and you will likely lose motivation.
If you’re looking for some guidance in your personal martial arts goals, Karma Karate can help! To learn more about what we have to offer and how to get started, contact us.
