13 Jul Goals & Achievement
In today’s technological firestorm, if you have or know of a high school student you want to ensure can focus their energy on positive outcomes, please pay attention to the final installment of this weeks’ posts: Goals and Achievement and how to properly set and pursue the achievement of a goal.
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1. As we said Monday, write the goal down – set a goal that is reasonably obtainable. Kick higher. Memorize Set 2: Shiao Fan Che. Obtain Red Sash. Become more flexible by being able to do a split.
2. Write down the completion date – writing down the goal isn’t enough. You should put down a date in which you’re intending to achieve the goal. Make the date realistic & obtainable.
3. List the reward you will allow yourself for reaching the goal – if your goal is achieving a Red Sash, which involves the mastery of 5 long sets, perhaps you deserve a new training shirt, or new shoes to train in.
4. Make or take a picture of the goal –Most of us are visually motivated. Tying back to martial arts, let’s say the goal is obtaining red sash ranking. Take a picture of a Red Sash.
5. Set shorter term goals against the progress of the larger goal– example: a set is made up of several lines (or movements in the same direction before the direction changes. Perhaps your teen plans and dedicates the first week to memorizing the sequence and proper movement of Set 1, Line 1. And during the second week, they commit to memorizing the second line.
6. Measure progress against the goal –Earn Red Sash in 3 months. Check progress every Saturday morning. Keep it realistic.
7. Create action steps –we need to define how we’re going to reach the goal. I’m going to earn my red sash by going to class twice a week and making time at home twice a week. What is the level of effort required, what happens if we fall beind?
8. Adjustments if goal is not achieved – didn’t pass your sash test? Come to class 3 times a week instead of 2 times a week, and while you are at it, add another day at home to catch yourself up with others who did pass.
9. Accountability to self/and others – this can make the difference when a friend or classmate is working together. Especially when they are trying to get the same goal. In martial arts, come to class together. Commit to a test date together. Call the friend if they miss class and help them. Not letting down others can be a very powerful motivator.
10. Look at the goal everyday –remember Rocky IV when Rocky hung a picture of Apollo Creed on one side of his mirror in Russia to remember his friend, and Ivan Drago on the other to remember the mission? This is what he was doing. Looking at his goal daily. Keeping the goal front and center. For teens in school, they can put a picture of the goal on your folder or book cover, or inside their locker.
And that’s how Goal Setting and Achievement is broken down into actionable steps, and how a student can learn to become a master of their own life in the process.