Set Positive Goals And Strive To Achieve Them

On 31st January 2005, two students from my martial arts school took tests to gain important qualifications in the modern martial art of Choikwangdo.

Choikwangdo is a martial art which concentrates on self-defence, health and success in general. It was founded in 1987 by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi who lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mick was testing for blackbelt and Nicky was testing for second degree blackbelt.

Both had been training for years to reach these goals. They had passed one smaller grading after another until they were near the top of the ladder ready to take a big step to a new level.

They had a deadline every one or two months to aim at when the next minor grading would take place. The reward of passing the grading and the fear of failing it also pushed them on.

The standard martial arts escalator of reaching one belt after another is a powerful and systematic motivator.

Both Mick and Nicky were role models to everyone in the way they achieved their goals.

After Christmas they stepped up their training to the point where they were oblivious of all else except what they needed to know for the big test.

They attended all the available lessons and spent most of those single-mindedly focusing on their test syllabus. One of the top instructors, John, spent hours teaching and helping them both.

Mick and Nicky both showed a quiet but unstoppable determination in the actual test.

At one point Mick hit one of the focus mitts or pads which are used as a target with the weaker part of his hand and dislocated his little finger.

It was sticking out at an angle which made most people gasp in horror. Mick was concentrating so much on achieving his black belt that he did not hesitate for a moment. He rushed over to me, held out his hand and said

'Go for it'.

I was as stunned as anyone else by the dislocation but under the influence of his confidence that I could put things right, grabbed his hand and yanked his little finger away from the rest of his hand for about a quarter of an inch (in the direction it was now pointing) and then relaxed my grip.

Mercifully, his finger popped back into place and he continued with his grading without batting an eyelid. Two of the other blackbelts thoughtfully bandaged his injured finger to another finger so that he would be less likely to damage it again.

Both Mick and Nicky were exhausted by the end of the grading but their determination and desire to achieve their goals carried them through.

Their friends in the class gave them continuous encouragement as well and a standing ovation when they achieved their first and second degree blackbelts.

The first line of the pledge in Choikwangdo is:

"To set positive goals and strive to achieve them."

Both Mick and Nicky achieved their goals by first having a keen desire to reach the prestigious award of a blackbelt and, in Nicky's case, a second degree blackbelt.

They then reached these awards through:

? A clear vision of what they wanted

? Belief that they could achieve their goals

? Monthly and two monthly deadlines in which to achieve the next step on the ladder

? Regular training and grading which built up their momentum and confidence step by step

? Long hours of consistent preparation with others and on their own

? A lazer like focus on what they needed to know and do.

? A ferocious determination to keep going whatever happened.

? The encouragement and support of their friends and instructors

The attitudes and attributes shown by Nicky and Mick can be seen in martial arts classes all over the world.

They can of course be applied to achieving any goal in life and the first line of the Choikwangdo pledge (mentioned above) provides a great mission statement for anyone, whether they are a martial artist or not.

"To set positive goals and strive to achieve them"

Resource box:

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine so long as you do not alter it and keep the resource box as it is.

---

The 12 Commandments of Goal Setting

Many professionals have a basic idea of what they want... Read More

The Guide To Keeping New Years Resolutions

The New Year is quickly creeping up on us. Do... Read More

Just Do It! Write Down Some Goals and Start Achieving!

You have a choice it would seem ? you can... Read More

Housewife....Is That All You Are?

Scenario: You have taken care of the house, the kids,... Read More

Eight Steps to Taking Control of Every Situation in Your Life!

Like it or not, we are all gladiators. We go... Read More

Focus

To have a goal is like having a road map.... Read More

Ready, Set, Change!

I was at work one day, calling on a customer... Read More

Why Traditional Goal Setting Doesnt Work

If you have a $100.000.000 in the bank, drive new... Read More

Its Your Dream - Are You Using The One-Two Punch?

Have you ever noticed? There are some people who seem... Read More

Dreams, Goals, And Aspirations - Is This Holding You Back?

In this short article I'd like to discuss a certain... Read More

Focus On Your Goals Without Envying Others

Many of us waste too much time envying others instead... Read More

The Process of Developing Meaningful Goals

DEVELOPING A GOAL-SETTING CHECKPOINT: The process of developing meaningful goals... Read More

10 Keys To Personal Goal Setting

Does personal goal setting work? Many people want things, situations... Read More

Losing Site of Your Goals: Determining Your Vision From Your Actions!

In the fury of trying to accomplish our goals, we... Read More

Is that W-A-L-R-U-S?

A few years back, I went to London, England. I... Read More

Intense Desire: Rocket Fuel When You Set Goals!

Have you set goals, personal or business, and failed to... Read More

If You Cant See Your Way to Completing Your Goal, Its Time to Check Your Vision

Have you been having trouble achieving a specific goal? Are... Read More

Reasons That Move You Bring Clarity, Focus, Determination, and Momentum

Are your goals SMART? ? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding, Time-DeadlinedJust... Read More

Fear Factor

Is it possible for an individual to pass a course... Read More

Is There An Anxiety Solution For Those Who Fail To Keep Their Resolutions?

In a nutshell... YES!I've given a lot of thought recently... Read More

Achieve Your Goals By Eating The Frog And The Elephant

Brian Tracy, the great motivational guru, often suggests that people... Read More

One Life to Live

Nothing stops us. Well, almost nothing. Although we do live... Read More

Give Your Dreams Substance

Setting goals is wonderful; it confirms that we've taken those... Read More

The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal

We all have goals that are important to us. They... Read More

Creative Visualization: How to Supercharge Your Goal Setting

Do you know the single best way to "supercharge" any... Read More

Under Their Thumb - Tripping The Parental Triggers!

Some of my clients have come to me feeling like... Read More

Focus on Your Goals

Focus is the single most important factor that will determine... Read More

Got Purpose?

Is your life on purpose? Does just the question stop... Read More

Whats Perfect About Imperfection?

Let me try something new but please, please, please, let... Read More

How to Triple Your Productivity in 28 days - Part II

If you've been diligent in doing the past 2 concentration... Read More

Lifes Values

Over time I have come to realize that the three... Read More

Intrapersonal Communication

What is intrapersonal communication? It is communicating with yourself.Most people... Read More

What is The Right Action That Leads To Your Ultimate Goals?

What is the right thing I need to do to... Read More