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The ancient warriors only had one goal: survival. Nowadays, students have physical, mental, and spiritual desires and needs. Setting goals and defining your martial arts objectives as a martial artist are essential to achieving them. Achieving them, in turn, will allow you to improve. The following information is provided to help new students develop their own martial arts goal plan, as well as help current martial artists in maintaining their goals. Finally, we will explore the ultimate goal of martial arts training (we saved the best for last!).
What
Goals Should I Develop?
This is the starting point of all your goals. In order to answer this
question, you need to take a personal inventory. If you have trouble continuing
long-term projects or, programs are frequently tardy, often misplace items,
neglect your health, and/or have few accomplishments you are proud of,
these bad habits may make it harder to start martial arts. On the flipside,
involvement in martial arts will help you improve yourself.
Therefore,
you need to develop goals that address areas that need improvement. The
five categories of martial arts objectives are:
- Self-defense:
Reduction of fears and anxiety, improvement of ability to protect oneself
- Fitness:
Toned, strengthened, and more flexible muscles and joints, therapy for
injury or
disability, weight-loss, reduced sicknes/illness
- Mental
Strength: Confidence to approach challenges, discipline
to work hard, increased self-
esteem, learning skills, stimulation of the nervous system
- Fun:
Enjoyable and interesting activity, stress relief
- Competition: Improved performance in matches, continued progress
You should develop different goals as you advance in your studies; for example, a karate student might develop goals for each belt level. This is an example goal sheet for a beginner martial artist.
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My Goals
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Download
a copy of My Goals (Word 95 version, 21 kb)How
Do I Make My Goal Plan?
In addition to the personal goals you set for yourself, you will need
to make your goal plan with the help of your instructors. Most schools
have an established curriculum and require students to learn certain techniques
in certain periods of time (e.g. month). Students in schools with ranking
systems are also tested every few months for belt promotion. Your goals,
therefore, should include the specific skills and techniques you should
learn.
Typically, instructors and school staff will help you track your improvements. When you start a martial art, and before you start new goals, your instructor will generally review your goals with you. Some also keep files or report cards to monitor your development.
Lastly, to make your goal plan most successful, you need to write it down and set a specific timeline for yourself. Recording your aims make them more tangible and seeing them on paper serves to remind and motivate you. Setting dates for completion ensures that you stay focused and allows you to monitor your progress day by day.
How
Do I Assess My Goals?
Recording your goals not only helps you to achieve them - it also helps
you assess whether you have completed them. The following are two example
charts to help you assess your advancement in rank, belt, or level and
progress in martial arts skills and knowledge. Use these charts to help
determine which goals still need to be achieved and which new goals you
want to set. Remember, there's always more to learn, share, and achieve
in martial arts!
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Rank/Belt/Level Advancement
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Download
a copy of Advancement (Word 95 version, 11 kb)
Note:
This is based on a 10-step rank system.
Check with your instructor to customize the chart to your school's specific
ranking system.
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Skills
and Knowledge Progress
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Download
a copy of Progress (Word 95 version, 14 kb)
Note: This chart can be used in most martial arts, however it is best to customize the chart with your instructor's help. The Areas should also be updated and revised as necessary.
What
Is My Ultimate Goal As A Martial Artist?
As
you set and achieve goals, you will undoubtedly notice both physical and
mental benefits of your martial arts training. You are bettering yourself
and feeling more confident, patient, and tolerant. The next and ultimate
step is to share your qualities and personal discovery with others. Simply
said, the ultimate goal of the martial artist is to make a positive difference
in the lives of others. This is not an easy goal, and may even take a
lifetime of martial arts study to finally understand and achieve it. The
following are some areas and ideas for ways in which you can contribute.
A
student smiles after completing her goals
Family
and Friends
The relationships in life are especially important. You might be so busy
practicing martial arts or meeting other obligations that you have lost
touch with family and friends. These people, however, have been your support
in your endeavors.
How
to give back to family and friends:
- Try
setting up an afternoon or evening outing or vacation
- Share
some of the skills and knowledge you have learned from the martial arts
with a
family member or friend
- Invite a family member or friend to get involved in training too
Martial
Arts School
Most, if not all of your skill and experience as a martial artist have
been developed under the guidance of your instructor(s) and school(s).
You may have contributed by paying tuition as a student, but what about
time, energy, and help as a volunteer?
How
to give back to your school:
- Offer
to assist with classes, lead warm-ups, or help students who are less-knowledgeable
- Help
tidy up before or after class
- Clean
up any litter you see
- If
you can speak multiple languages, offer to help foreign students
Compliment your fellow students and teachers
Community
Although you practice martial arts, the skills you have learned can be
applied for non-combat purposes, particularly in the community.
Martial
art school supporting worthy causes
How
to give back to the community:
- Organize
a fundraiser for a local charity. It can be a board breaking, sit-up,
kicking, or
punching contest in which companies (e.g. wood supply company, t-shirt supply company,
etc.) donate shirts for participants, or materials. Student participants can receive donations
for every board they break or number of techniques they perform.
- Ask
participants or spectators in exams, tournaments, or seminars to bring
a canned food
or piece of clothing to donate to a local shelter or food bank.
- Organize
a recycling program in your neighborhood - neighbors who begin recycling
receive a free introductory class at your martial arts school.
World
It seems impossible, but you can give back to the world. For instance,
you can extend your contributions by sharing the service projects you
have done in your community with other schools around the world and encourage
them to do the same. You can also collaborate with them to implement the
activities nationally or internationally. Your options are limitless.
Like challenges? Take the Learn Quiz.
