Article by Bill Burgar author of Five Years, One Kata.
In the last article, I gave a brief overview of "karate context", touching on each area of relevance including: key areas, objectives, rules, instructors and peers. In this column, I'm going to go into more detail about setting objectives. This is a key area for each karateka to get right so that practice time is spent wisely and we get what we want out of our study of karate. When you've finished reading you will know how to write down your objectives, which will give you a clearer focus about how to approach your training.
Last time, I suggested that each karateka should write out a brief list of headings that covered their main priorities; their reasons for studying karate. There may be just one thing on the list or there may be many - it all depends on the individual. So, for example, one person may just have one heading: self-defence. That shows a clear intention to study karate for just one reason and no other. Other people may have several, for example: social, fitness, competition, and self-defence. This shows that there is no one special reason for practising karate. You can see that this person just enjoys the atmosphere at the dojo, likes to keep fit, has some fun with competition and likes to think that, if he needed to, he could look after himself.
Making a 'high-level' list is a very quick and easy way to get started on creating a written statement of your objectives. Once you have made your high-level list it is time to start to get into more specific details for each item. Your objectives should always be SMART, that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding and Time limited.
Specific: We must make clear and unambiguous statements about what it is we are going to achieve.
Measurable: There must be some way to determine when the objective has been met. We therefore make a statement that describes how we will measure success or failure of the objective.
Achievable: It must be possible to reach the objective. It is important to understand in advance whether or not the objective is achievable. It is important to remember, however, that many tasks when first approached seem insurmountable, so it is important to be optimistic and to take on a challenge.
Rewarding: The objective should bring sufficient reward that it is worth undertaking. There is always a cost / benefit ratio to consider. Every task has its cost or, as the old saying goes, "you don't get owt for nowt". It is always important to consider what the cost and benefit will be before initiating a task.
Time limited: There should be a clear time frame set out for when the objective will be met. Many things of worth are not achieved quickly and it is important to approach tasks consistently rather than sporadically. Breaking the task down into sub-tasks and estimating time frames is essential if we are to understand the cost of the task.
Now, take the first of your high level items that you listed last month and think about something specific that you need to improve in that area. For example, if you are into competition you might want to increase your repertoire to include another winning technique, say, a leg-sweep. Your specific statement would be "Learn and use a leg-sweep successfully in a competition".
Now make it measurable; "In the competition I'll use at least one leg-sweep in each bout".
In the last article, I gave a brief overview of "karate context", touching on each area of relevance including: key areas, objectives, rules, instructors and peers. In this column, I'm going to go into more detail about setting objectives. This is a key area for each karateka to get right so that practice time is spent wisely and we get what we want out of our study of karate. When you've finished reading you will know how to write down your objectives, which will give you a clearer focus about how to approach your training.
Last time, I suggested that each karateka should write out a brief list of headings that covered their main priorities; their reasons for studying karate. There may be just one thing on the list or there may be many - it all depends on the individual. So, for example, one person may just have one heading: self-defence. That shows a clear intention to study karate for just one reason and no other. Other people may have several, for example: social, fitness, competition, and self-defence. This shows that there is no one special reason for practising karate. You can see that this person just enjoys the atmosphere at the dojo, likes to keep fit, has some fun with competition and likes to think that, if he needed to, he could look after himself.
Making a 'high-level' list is a very quick and easy way to get started on creating a written statement of your objectives. Once you have made your high-level list it is time to start to get into more specific details for each item. Your objectives should always be SMART, that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding and Time limited.
Specific: We must make clear and unambiguous statements about what it is we are going to achieve.
Measurable: There must be some way to determine when the objective has been met. We therefore make a statement that describes how we will measure success or failure of the objective.
Achievable: It must be possible to reach the objective. It is important to understand in advance whether or not the objective is achievable. It is important to remember, however, that many tasks when first approached seem insurmountable, so it is important to be optimistic and to take on a challenge.
Rewarding: The objective should bring sufficient reward that it is worth undertaking. There is always a cost / benefit ratio to consider. Every task has its cost or, as the old saying goes, "you don't get owt for nowt". It is always important to consider what the cost and benefit will be before initiating a task.
Time limited: There should be a clear time frame set out for when the objective will be met. Many things of worth are not achieved quickly and it is important to approach tasks consistently rather than sporadically. Breaking the task down into sub-tasks and estimating time frames is essential if we are to understand the cost of the task.
Now, take the first of your high level items that you listed last month and think about something specific that you need to improve in that area. For example, if you are into competition you might want to increase your repertoire to include another winning technique, say, a leg-sweep. Your specific statement would be "Learn and use a leg-sweep successfully in a competition".
Now make it measurable; "In the competition I'll use at least one leg-sweep in each bout".
Looking at the objective it ought to be achievable. Remember it's a statement about your intent.
Is it rewarding? Well it should be; dumping someone on their back with a well timed sweep is hugely satisfying as well as earning you points.
Finally, set a time limit. Maybe a particular competition that you know is due to take place in three months’ time.
So, your objective statement might be something like the following:
Train to use a leg sweep in competition in such a manner as to win points. Then use the technique in competition within 3 months (i.e. before
This type of objective setting can be used for all areas of your karate study. I suggest you start gradually by setting one or two objectives and build up from there. I also suggest you talk about your objectives with your instructor. If you are an instructor then encourage your students to write down their objectives and to discuss them with you.
Between now and next month make the following your objective:
Write down one objective statement for each of your key areas of study before next month's magazine arrives at the newsagent.
I strongly advise that you take the time to write down some objectives. Just as you can't hope to get a technique polished by watching someone else do it, so too, you cannot expect to get anything out of these articles if you don't do the work. Start today!
The next job is to make a statement about the rules you'll be operating under, which is the subject for next month's column.
About the author: Bill Burgar is a 6th Dan, a member of Rick Clark's ADK organisation and author of the advanced karate text Five Years, One Kata which is available on-line and to order at all good book shops.
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