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Goal-Setting for Success in Your Martial Arts School
Category: Free Articles, Startup
Oftentimes, prospective martial arts business owner start their schools without ever taking the time to write out a specific game plan for their success. I know that I was guilty of this mistake when I made my first few attempts at opening my martial arts business.
Oh, I did all the “business owner” things; I secured a location, had business cards printed (they made me feel like I was officially in business), put an ad in the paper, and told everyone I knew about my programs.
Yet, my first few attempts at opening a martial arts business were dismal failures. What went wrong?
Although there were certainly aspects of the above mentioned activities that were less-than-perfect (for instance, I could have had more professional advertising materials, I could have secured a better location, etc.) the main reason I failed in my first attempts at opening a studio was that I didn’t have a plan that included specific goals. This is the martial arts business equivalent of attempting an around-the-world trip without the use of a map, a GPS system, or even a compass!
Of course, we all have “general” goals: I want to be rich. I want to be successful. I want to own a nice house. I want a lot of students. And so on. And, we often fool ourselves into thinking that having such goals means that we know where we’re going, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Let’s go back to our travel analogy. Imagine you were going to take that around-the-world trip. But instead of carefully planning your route, plotting out waypoints on your map, and using a GPS system to navigate your course and measure your progress, you instead just pointed yourself in a generally Easterly direction and start walking. How far do you think you would get before becoming hungry, lost, and discouraged?
I think you can see what I am getting at here. Without specific, measurable goals, you could end up going in circles and never complete your trip. Being in business is no different - you must have specific, measurable goals in order to be successful. Only after setting such goals can you start planning how you will achieve them.
It is also extremely important that your goals be written down, and preferably posted somewhere that you will see them, every day. Martial artist and motivational speaker Brian Tracy writes his goals down on a 3×5 inch card every morning, and reads the card to review his goals throughout his day.
Whether you follow Brian’s method or simply write them down and post them on your refrigerator, the important thing is to write them down and review them often. Then, you can adjust your plans to compensate for any challenges or unexpected events that occur.
Right now, this very instant, I want you to write down your martial arts business goals for the following:
- How much yearly profit you desire to make (be honest - aim high!)
- How many students you desire to have (based on your profit goals and expected overhead)
- What you desire to achieve in your own martial arts practice in the next year (this is important - personal skills improvement is even more important when you own a studio)
You may add other specific goals to this list as well. Refer back to them often, measuring your progress toward their achievement and adjusting your plans accordingly.
Mark my words, a year from now you will be amazed at how this simple five minute exercise has expedited the achievement of your goals!
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