I also learned about change. Change is a constant, we are always changing either because we want to or are being forced to, I prefer the former. In a sense we are always in a state of transition, much like our time on the mats. So with that I would like to begin to break down for you a "Values" based exercise that you can use to guide yourself on a path to continual improvement in martial arts (or business, or both, or anything else for that matter!) or to use in times when you are making BIG transitions, like going from athlete to coach, student to instructor, recreational player to competitor, Instructor to gym owner, etc... you get the idea.
This is a tool that you can use to set yourself up for continued growth and guide you through the hardest of transitions. And best of all it's fairly simple, based on your own values- so it should be easy to follow through on. It should help you to create the change you want and be influenced less by outside forces. In a way it is a compass to where you want to be.
OK now a
***DISCLAIMER***
"Writing a vision is powerful stuff. DO NOT include other people in the brainstorming process! It has to be ALL YOU! THIS IS YOUR VISION! Oh, and do not tell people what you are doing- you will only be reading them finished versions! It is crucial that the final vision came from you alone!"
OK without explaining more we'll start the exercise:
First pick your goal, what is the transition you want to make? Maybe it is to open a new school, become more technical on the mats, win a local or national championship: be specific.
STEP 1.
List your most important values and adjectives that describe you or your future self or school etc., 5 or 10, the ones that are REALLY important to you- whittle it down, get to your core, in the case of a new school- write down the values of your school.
Examples: Integrity, technique, community, adrenaline, dominant, athletes, sportsmanship, technical, strong, championship, hardworking.
Make sure to brainstorm your own but those should provide you with a good start.
STEP 2.
We are going to write 3 to 5 short lines about where we want to be, what we want to (will) achieve- in short what it LOOKS like to reach our goal.
Include the values and adjectives that resonate most strongly with your goal- your vision for your future self or endeavor. Here are two examples:
"(blank) Mixed Martial Arts will be the premiere MMA Gym in Seattle. Our coaching staff and employees are exceptional at motivating and training athletes of all skill levels We invest in ourselves through on-going training and individual skill development and personal challenge We value all of our members and offer them professional training in a clean, adrenaline rich, supportive atmosphere."
"Within one year I will be competing and winning at brown belt. My game will be fluid and dynamic. I will have developed 3 new sweeps and I will work continually until I have iron-clad submission defense. I will push all of my training partners everyday and out-work everybody else in the gym. I will not leave it to chance."
This process usually takes a little while and several re-writes, which is fine and helps you get your vision just right. When you're done you should be proud of it- proud to say it and repeat it. And you should be ready to share it although you won't be sharing it just yet. It is a good idea at this point to print and frame it, and not a cheap frame either- this is your vision of the future you, your compass-you'll want it where you can see it.
OK so now what? Lettme answer a couple questions you may be asking
Q. is this some sort of gimmicky/granola hat/mumbo jumbo/sissy shit/ baloney?
A. NO- this shit really works so stay with me.
You have your vision: you're proud, fired up, ready to make it reality, but where to start?
With your spine.
You need a backbone and in this case your backbone is proverbial: it's your values. you need to live by them and when you go off on a bender- re-read your Vision and get back on track!
At the top of your spine is your VISION.
Just below are your GOALS:
Write all of the goals you have that support your vision under the GOALS heading,
for example
"learn 5 new sweeps, achieve brown belt, compete 7 times this year, etc"
or
"find location 1500 sqft on 2 rt hand turns within 7 miles of my target market, self finance 800 sqft of mats, contact dojo muscle about mailers, etc.)
******Make Your Goals AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE******
Your next heading is actionable:
PRIORITIES
This is where the rubber meets the road "first things first, second things never" is your mantra here- these are your daily to do's. Keep a notebook or journal handy to plan your priorities everyday. Here's the litmus test: do they support your goals? They need to: realign whenever your priorities, goals and vision seem out of whack!
Ok last header
STANDARDS
This one may seem redundant to values but it is different and necessary because you are going to use it to define the quality of everything you do (or the operations of your school) or the processes you'll use as a coach. Essentially how are you going to make your values live in action.
Putting it all together You've defined your future-self, you've visualized it and mapped the transition, you've printed it and framed it and you're proud of it. You defined the goals that support your vision, the big items that you will accomplish. You wake up every day and prioritize to support your goals. You live by a clear set of values and maintain your standards in action. You've defined the future, charted your own change. Now you can share your vision with others- I believe you'll be amazed at the power it has.
Good luck- I truly hope you will take the time to try this exercise, and define what you are all about.If you take it seriously I guarantee it will work for you, and if you didn't read the disclaimer or you still think this is granola hat mumbo jumbo- well don't come crying to me when everybody else is crushing it!
Greg
PS- if there are typos sorry- it's late and this is just flowin' so typos or no, I hope you enjoy. OH and if you like this and it works for you please let me know! (and no need to only have one vision- I usually juggle 3 or 4 at a time)
PSS- The pic is of Pat Walsh winning the 2013 BJJ World Championships. I work with Pat at NEC... that is a driven man with vision! 6 Matches, 6 Tapouts. In my gym I have a wall of pictures of athletes I've coached with their hands raised- the wall is getting full- this shit works.
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