Assessing Our Goals

Assessing our goals

Here at True Balance Karate in Downers Grove, Illinois, we have a social-emotional learning program called True Character. I’m Master H, the owner and chief instructor here at the studio. I taught special education for 15 years and hold two master’s degrees in education. We’ve developed this curriculum to meet the needs of our youngest students, who are three or four, and our oldest student, who is 85.

Recap

This month, we are talking about goal setting—knowing what we want to achieve and creating a plan to get there.

Two weeks ago, we discussed making goals specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and trackable (SMART). Last week, we explored keeping the end in mind with tools like vision boards, post-it plans, and accountability buddies. Today, we focus on assessing our goals.

Why is it hard?

Sometimes, achieving a goal becomes difficult, and it’s essential to take an honest look at why. Ask yourself:

• Is the goal too lofty? Is it too big to realistically achieve in the given timeframe?
• Is the timeline unrealistic? Are you trying to accomplish too much too soon?
• Are distractions a problem? Are you prioritizing other activities or not making your goal a priority?
• Do you need more resources? Could additional knowledge, tools, or guidance help you achieve your goal?

Reflect on what might be getting in the way. Self-reflection is a critical step, especially for younger students, who may need guidance from adults to process their challenges and identify solutions. Encouraging them to discover the answers themselves leads to greater understanding and ownership of their progress.

Celebrating moments

Assessment isn’t just about obstacles—it’s also about celebrating milestones. Break your goals into smaller, achievable steps, and celebrate each success. For example:

• Reaching a milestone: Celebrate learning a new form or improving a skill.
• Tracking progress: Acknowledge how far you’ve come, even if the ultimate goal isn’t reached yet.

This dual focus—identifying challenges and celebrating progress—keeps motivation high and ensures consistent progress. Goals aren’t just for the start of the year; they require ongoing evaluation. Regularly assess your progress, remain open-minded, and adjust as needed.

Remember, achieving goals involves both hard work and recognizing achievements along the way.

Thanks, and I’ll see you on the mat!

True Balance Karate was founded in 2012 by Master Sue and Paul Helsdon.

We offer kids karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up. These lessons are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need — specialized for their age group — for school excellence and later success in life.

Our adult martial arts training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week at 630-663-2000. You can also contact us here. True Balance Karate is at 406 Ogden Ave Downers Grove Illinois, 60515 (next to CVS) Check out our Facebook!