WHAT ARE THE WAYS TO SET GOALS AND AND HAVE THE SELF DISCIPLINE TO ACHIEVE THEM?
A new year, a new you. Yes, it’s a very common theme and a catalyst for many people to make resolutions about self-improvement. But, to achieve those goals, more than desire is needed.
Desires and dreams are simply things we “wish” to have. A goal, on the other hand, is a target to work toward. To achieve the goal, it must be set to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and have a timeline for success. These are “s.m.a.r.t.” goals because they establish a roadmap to the destination. This framework sets realistic parameters for accomplishing the work that must be done to achieve the goal.
We set those roadmaps every testing cycle in Taekwondo. The target is the next rank with specific techniques to be accomplished. Those tasks that are accomplished are evidenced by knowledge stripes on the belt. The timeline is measured with the knowledge of the dates for the next testing days. These are always published in the monthly newsletter. The tasks are achievable, based on the foundation of quality achieved from the previous rank and evidence of quality performance of the required material.
The ability to achieve the goal is realistic. It is based on learning, repetition, and layering of the next course of ability in the sequence of rank promotions.
The timeliness of the pursuit of the achievement lies in regular class attendance and the deadline established by the testing dates. Therein also lies the need for disciplined planning of class attendance for the development of proficient techniques. Thus, the opportunity to test can be assured through disciplined attendance and well-practiced performance of mental and physical skills; Positive Attitude; Behavior; and Ability.
No Excuses. There is Power in Positive Thinking.
Having the goal only establishes the starting line and the course of action required for success. To complete the goal, it is necessary to have an ongoing commitment to achieve it. Temptations, setbacks, weak moments, etc. are hurdles to overcome. Self-discipline is the mind-set and practice that drives a person to actually accomplish the goal. In concert with that same disciplined approach, a mind-set for productivity, confidence, and self-esteem are instinctively nourished.
Wanting the next belt rank is different than planning for it and earning it. Developing a clear focus on the goal and the mental toughness to pursue it create the greatest benefit. As parents and instructors, it is our job to guide our students and kids to understand the differences in the approach and reward. This instills a strong sense of self and prepares them for every activity that they pursue. It establishes determination and inertly incorporates a level of planning and executing for success, instead of simply playing. Goal setting, planning, and achievement are the framework that serves to take “good” to “great”.
Excuses are pitfalls that lead to more excuses. Stay positive and actively engaged in forward progress. Plan your work and work your plan; communicate your schedule and stay true to it.
Common excuses:
- “I will start tomorrow.”
- “I’m already behind. I’ll never be able to catch up.”
- “I’ll never be able to do that.”
- “But my friends . . . “
- “I don’t have the time to do it.”
- “I can skip just this one time.”
If any of these negative excuses sound familiar, actively try to replace them with phrases such as:
- “I have made progress.”
- “I will try today and try again tomorrow.”
- “I can do this.”
- “This is going to make life better.”
- “I am on my journey to excellence!”
- “Some effort gets me closer than doing nothing at all.”
A Guide to Improving Self-Discipline (for you and your kids).
- Get out of bed (and don’t hit the snooze button).It sets the tone for the whole day.
- Take fifteen minutes to clear the mind and frame the day. Organize the day’s activities. Get busy.
- Exercise. Stretch, Yoga, Run, Dance, Lift Weights; whatever, just get your body going.
- Set/Stay on course for success. Remove temptations; be proactively on course with the day’s activity list.
- Remove distractions. Your emails, texts, and social media are not priorities except in appropriate moments; not in your prime time. Limit and structure usage of these for success.
- Engage in face to face conversations. It builds stronger personal relationships, character skills, communication skills, and it eliminates lots of valuable time doing keystrokes.
- Reward yourself for successes. Achieving milestones in the plan deserves recognition and celebration.
- At milestones, evaluate next steps and determine the future direction for success. Always consider opportunities, alternatives, and pitfalls along the way.
- Be determined and persevere. No grumbling nor negative comments allowed. Stay positive. You will be faced with challenges and temptations along the way. Meet those challenges according to the framework for achieving the goal. If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything. Remember that one does not fail until they quit.
- Know your plan. Plan your work. Work your plan. Things do not always flow in sequential order. Track your progress closely and routinely. Share openly with kids. It is important that you know you are making progress (and it is important for kids too). It is also very important that they hear positive reinforcement from you.
Don’t just let things happen.
MAKE IT HAPPEN! – AND, TEACH YOUR KIDS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Without self-discipline, success is impossible – period!
- Lou Holtz
NOTE: Louis Leo Holtz (born January 6, 1937)[1] is a former American football player, coach, and analyst. He served as the head football coach at The College of William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975), the New York Jets (1976), the University of Arkansas (1977–1983), the University of Minnesota (1984–1985), the University of Notre Dame (1986–1996), and the University of South Carolina (1999–2004), compiling a career record of 249–132–7. Holtz’s 1988 Notre Dame team went 12–0 with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl and was the consensus national champion. Holtz is the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to the final top 20 rankings.
