Setting Training Goals

 

     Advancing through the ranks in Jiu-Jitsu takes longer than most other martial arts, with a student looking at an average of 10 plus years to go from white to black belt. With students looking at having to invest such a significant amount of time it's crucial they set goals in their training. Goals help to keep your training relevant, enjoyable, and on track.

     

     When setting training goals for yourself it's important you follow a few simple guidelines.

     1. Be specific in what exactly it is you want to achieve ie... I want to get into better shape, I want to learn to defend myself, I want to earn my Black belt.

     2. Make sure you're able to keep track of your progress ie writing it down, or videotaping and revisiting it regularly.

     3. Make sure your goals challenge you but are at the same time attainable.

     4. Make sure your environment helps support the attainment of your goals. ie... have your gi and equipment all ready to go the night before, budgeting your time.

     

     Your first goal with training should be just getting to class consistently and on time. This is by far the most important step in your goal-setting process. If you are unable to consistently train you will be hard-pressed to attain the other goals you set for yourself. 

     Once you've established a consistent training regiment you can then focus on setting goals for yourself every class. The objective here is to focus on improving your technical skills by just 1%, every time your train. If you're able to keep your goals focused on a micro level, ie... training consistently, 1% improvement, then the macro goals ie... getting into shape, the ability to defend yourself, competing in a tournament will take care of themselves.

     Don't get me wrong, having long-term goals are very important in that they help give you direction and a sense of purpose. What I feel a lot of people fail to realize is that it's the small, daily, weekly goals that will allow you to accomplish your larger goals.

     On a side note, make sure one of your goals is to have fun, enjoy your training and the process of self-improvement and self-discovery!