Goals can help you reach your full potential, no matter the endeavor. With the martial arts journey being a long and tough one, goals are a necessary part of becoming a successful martial artist. Belts are great for giving martial artists a sense of progression, accomplishment, and goal setting. That being said, there are so many other targets martial artists can set to help them succeed.

There are many different types of goals that have different effects on motivation levels. Setting yourself up for success by committing to your goals with accountability will help you see your goals through to the end. Here are some tips to set goals that will help you become a successful martial artist:

Different Goals, Different Effects

There are many types of goals you can set for success, from short-term to long-term and lifetime goals. In a martial arts context, short-term goals can refer to mastering your current belt level’s techniques, by the end of summer, for example. Long-term goals can relate to advancing to your next belt level, by the end of the year, while lifetime goals can refer to getting your 6th degree black belt, later on in life.

In addition to time-dependent goals, we also have outcome and performance goals. To understand which are most effective, we have to discuss the difference between extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is fueled by external rewards such as money or gold medals. Intrinsic motivation is fueled by your inner desire – in other words, you’re doing it because it makes you feel good. After time, extrinsic motivation can have the opposite effect, especially if the allure of the external reward diminishes.

Outcome goals refer to a particular result. Performance goals refer to doing the necessary work to get better. Going to four training sessions, every week for a year, or performing 200 kicks per day are examples of performance goals. Because outcome goals are more in line with extrinsic motivation, outnumbering them with performance goals can help you stay motivated, in the long run. Your performance goals will help you achieve your short-term, long-term, and lifetime goals.

Podium Time

Training and attending a martial arts tournament can be a very motivational experience for a lot of martial artists. There are many different motivational goals you can set for yourself. For instance, cutting weight is an integral part of competing in any tournament that has weight classes. Training to be at your top form is also a key component and goal setting can help you get there. You can utilize many performance goals (i.e. throwing at least 30 stiff jabs, in each round) that can help you reach your outcome goals, like winning by TKO.

Write it Down

The health benefits of journaling are well researched but not everyone does it. A 2015 study by the Dominican University of California found that writing your goals down enhances goal achievement. If you don’t keep a journal for your everyday life, we recommend starting one that tracks your martial arts progress. This would be where you’d write out your goals, helping you to stay committed to them. Think of it as your own personal coach, laying out your goals and your current progress.

Take the Time to Talk

Great masters and instructors take the time to chat with each student, once in a while. We’ve discussed it before and it’s a great strategy for getting the most out of your students’ potentials, while also boosting retention rates. A 2013 study published in Translational Behavioral Medicine found that people who shared their goals performed better, perhaps due to increased accountability.

Contact American Karate Institute for a Free Trial Class

At the American Karate Institute, we teach a way of life. Our Miami martial arts school and MMA Classes has developed a well thought out curriculum that teaches more than just the art of self-defense. We delve deep into our students’ technique, skill set, intelligence, intuition and overall physical fitness. Contact us today if you’re interested in mixed martial arts and self-defense classes and schedule your free-trial class!

About Angel Gonzalez

A 7th Degree Black Belt, Founder of American Karate Institute, Teacher, Inventor and Martial Arts Consultant. I have been involved with the Martial Arts for more than 43 years.

I was born in Havana, Cuba in 1956. In 1962 at the age of 6, because I was being bullied in school, my aunt enrolled me in Judo. I trained and competed as a child for 3 years with Instructor Heriberto Hernandez. In 1966 I immigrated to the United States to live with my aunt. I lived in several different cities before I moved to Tampa, Fl . At the age of 14, I practiced Uechi Ryu, a Okinawan style karate with Tom Alexander. In 1973 I began practicing a Japanese style of Martial Arts called GoJu Shorei under Sensei Mike Hayashi. In 1976 , after 3 years of hardcore martial arts training, I earned my Black Belt.

Sensei Hayashi’s traditional, intense, and disciplined Japanese training helped me develop a strong traditional martial arts foundation. I was one of the few students who stuck it out and earned my Black Belt. Regretfully, due to unexpected circumstances, Sensei Hayashi had to close the school down.

In 1976, after shopping around and visiting other schools just like you, my wife and I (read her story) enrolled at the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Tae Kwon Do with Master Bill Heimberger.

It took us seven years to earn our Tae Kwon Do Black Belts. We traveled to Washington DC to test directly under World Renowned Grand Master Jhoon Rhee where we were offered a teaching scholarship to become professional martial art instructors.

In 1981 we moved to Washington, DC to learn directly from Grand Master Jhoon Rhee. It was like going to college to learn a martial arts profession. We distinguished ourselves and found our true calling in life – teaching martial arts. After 2 years of intensive training, we moved to Miami, Florida to open our school and live the dream of having the best school not only in Miami, FL, but in the country.

We did not have the funds to open in a shopping center, but in 1983, American Karate Institute was established at the Ron Ehmann Park recreation center in Kendall adjacent to Killian High School.

Not only were we fortunate to have learned Martial Arts and become an instructor from the best, but we also made a great husband and wife team with a rare quality that cannot be taught – CHARISMA. Since we did not have the funds to advertise, we depended upon our charisma and teaching abilities to build the school by word of mouth. Charisma is a quality that often separates the best from the rest in the martial arts profession. There are a lot of instructors that teach martial arts, but there are only a few that teach it with charisma.

In 1989, due to a tremendous following, we were able to open at the location we now have today in the Crossings Shopping Village. Charisma along with a systemized martial arts program is what made the American Karate Institute the best kids program in the country.

In 1991 before MMA and UFC became popular, we made the switch to mixed martial arts. After meeting Royce & Rorian Gracie in Tampa Florida, I saw the value of mixed martial arts and knew that this was going to be the future.

In 2003, I was awarded instructor of the year by North American Grappling Association.

In 2010, I was given a US patent for the invention of the Ultimate Striker, a tool designed to help martial arts practitioners develop more power in their striking techniques and to increase their conditioning.

In 2011, I was given the Paul Harris Fellow award for my work in the community. This organization is devoted to the betterment of humanity.

Why Goals Are A Necessary Part Of Becoming A Successful Martial Artist