At this time of year many people start making New Year Resolutions. As a Tae Kwon-Do instructor and martial artist, I have found it more helpful to set attainable goals rather than lofty resolutions. Maybe your “resolution” is to lose weight and become physically fit. Maybe it is to develop a practical self-defense system. You could want to raise your grades at school or possibly do better at your job. The problem with a resolution is that it is more of a dream than a reality.
Goal setting is a huge part of our Tae Kwon-Do program but it can be a part of anyone’s life. The first step is to set an attainable goal, like losing 20 lbs. over the next 6 months. It is important to put a deadline (like 6 months) on your goal or it will languish and disappear. Too many people set unreasonable goals and never get to feel the excitement of achieving a goal. Once the goal is set, make a plan. “Not eating as much” is NOT a plan. Sitting down and preplanning your meals for the weeks ahead, and counting calories is a plan. You must then put the plan into action. Finally, you must be held accountable. Place reminders everywhere…on the refrigerator, in your car, on the bathroom mirror etc. Also, enlist a good friend to check on your progress. I have a few trusted individuals who are always checking on each other’s progress in training, teaching and the various goals we have set.
Lastly, you must CELEBRATE your achievement. Let people know you have achieved your goal. This will also encourage them to set goals. You will find them asking, ”How did you do that?” or “I wish I could do something like that.”
Obviously, I am biased toward Tae Kwon-Do. However, whether you are doing Karate, MMA, Tai Chi or any physical fitness regimen, you must set goals in order to make sense of what you’re doing. Good luck in your new goal setting and remember Master Gorino’s Pil-Sung Tae Kwon-Do is always here to help!
