Now Lets Look At A Few Examples Of Goal Setting

It Really Can Be This Easy…

Example One

Goal: Advance Rank At The Next Promotion

Is it SMART?

Specific – Yes, advance to next rank

Measurable – Yes. It is measured by attaining the required rank stripes

Achievable – Yes, assuming no training obstacles are encountered

Realestic – Yes, each student knows what the expectations are and have access to online training tools to practice at home

Time Bound – Yes, each student knows when the next promotion is scheduled

Can this be broken down into smaller tasks – YES

There are stripes that each student needs to achieve in order to advance. Not only that, a sub-goal could be to attend a minimum number of classes each week and practice at home 3 days a week for 30 minutes each session.

Example Two

Goal: Loose 15 lbs weight in the next 90 days

Is it SMART?

Specific – Yes, loose weight

Measurable – Yes. measured in pounds

Achievable – Yes, assuming no training obstacles are encountered

Realestic – Yes, although it depends on the total body weight of the individual as to wheter this is either too little or too much

Time Bound – Yes, in 90 Days

Can this be broken down into smaller tasks – YES

Although it’s not required weight loss can be a difficult task, so checking it weekly is a smart move. Keep in mind that there will be better weeks than others.

A better goal would be to add to the goal, “and keep it off for the rest of the year”. That is also SMART. What I like about the 90 day goal is that you have the opportunity to refine the goal, perhaps loosing an additional 10 pounds in the next 90 days.

Weight loss goals are typical, the trick is to have the long term benefit of keeping it off. Some will get to this goal and realize they don’t have the will power to keep it up. An alternative could be to manage food consumption to better match the intake calories to calories expended throughout the day. This is the essence of productive weight loss.

Example Three

Goal: Save for a new car

Is it SMART?

Specific – No, this should have a target value for either a down payment or cash purchase.

Measurable – While acquiring a new car is certainly tangible, the missed opportunity here is how much needs to be saved.

Achievable – No, not really. If you saved a penny each week, that would be something, it would take forever to save enough.

Realestic – It should be, however this depends on the individual’s situation, there are too many variables.

Time Bound – No.

Can this be broken down into smaller tasks – YES, perhaps a weekly goal.

While this sort of goal is common, it is seldom realized before there is an immediate need. It is more advantageous to establish a target down-payment goal and get that satisfied over a period of time, then revisit the goal with the intention of increasing the amount saved until you have accumulated enough to purchase the vehicle on your schedule, avoiding the immediate need.

Bottom Line:

Keep the goals simple, show a personal benefit, and do your homework.

Master Bill DeGrafft is an active member of the United Tang Soo Do Federation and is a Certified 5^th Dan Master Instructor, having also trained in Sun Mu Sul, Chen Style Taiji, Tai Chi Gung, and Wing Chun. He is the owner at Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy. He is also COBRA Self Defense Certified and the Academy is the areas only Authorized COBRA Training Center. Learn more about the academy at https:pvmaa.com, “Like” us on Facebook at PonteVedraMartialArtsAcademy and follow up on Instagram, pontevedramartialartsacademy.