A Lesson In Goals

The Importance of Goals

Originally uploaded by MikeOliveri.

Goals have been a big topic of conversation in our karate class the last few weeks, and I didn’t realize just how many I had until our sensei started us thinking about it. As such, I thought goals would be a good subject for my latest 52 Weeks photo.

I turned two closet doors in my office into giant chalkboards with some special paint to keep track of some writing projects and goals, but when sensei asked us to write down one of our goals, I thought it would be a great start for the chalkboard.

Our first goal is to break one board fumi komi. Fumi komi is a stomp kick, and we’ll be using that on our first Break Day in early July. A more short-term goal will be to earn our gold belts; review night is this coming Tuesday. As you can see, the Midget is taking both goals seriously.

Another goal I’ve been making is my monthly weight goals. I hit this month’s goal yesterday, then it floated back up a pound. I still call it a win, and I’ll just have to put the extra effort into June to cutting that extra pound and making my usual goal. There’s an ultimate goal in mind, but for now I’m content to hit the little milestones along the way so I don’t get discouraged.

Then come the big goals, the lofty ones that usually have “when I get around to it” or “one of these days” attached to them. Some are related to my writing, some may be related to family and friends, and others are more personal. Knocking out the little ones make me feel like I’ve accomplished something, that I can get somewhere.

But they also make a nice reality check. They help organize the larger goals, perhaps by breaking the larger goals into smaller ones or simply making more time to start chipping away at them.

It’s just a matter of doing.

And thus becomes the lesson in common sense that makes you realize what a slacker you’ve been. How do you lose weight? Move your ass. How do you learn a martial art? Go to class. How do you write? Put your ass in your chair.

Whatever you want to do, just get it done.