Dreams and Goals 2013

2013 Dreams Vs. Goals

 

2012 is quickly coming to a close.   It was another great year here at Leading Edge Martial Arts.  I want to thank all of you, our students, parents, and staff for helping to make 2012 such a success.   

2012 saw a tremendous growth in students taking to the mat.  We saw 100's of students reaching for and achieving new personal bests.

 2012 saw seven students achieve Jr. Black Belt, five students achieve 1st Degree Black Belt, and one student achieve the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt.  Congratulations to all of you!

In 2012, LEMA was  voted best Martial Arts school in the Lehigh Valley by  Morning Call's Readers Choice Awards for the 4th year in a row.  

With the start of a new year, it is customary for people to set new year'sresolutions.  At LEMA, we like to refer to these as New Years goals to which your commitment should be resolute. 

So many new year's goals are made with great intent, but quickly are forgotten.  Here are a few tips to help you keep your goals for the year 2013.

First let's start by understanding the difference between a dream and a goal.   Dreams and goals are both things that people would like to achieve.   One we let happen and the other we make happen. 

The main difference between a dream and a goal is that with a goal, we have a plan of action on how we wish to achieve that goal.  For example, one can dream of being a black belt but until they sit down and come up with a plan of action to achieve this, it is still a dream.  Once a plan of action is set, the dream becomes a goal.

 This difference between dreams and goals is not only true in martial arts but in every aspect of your life, family, work, etc.

 You can have short term goals and long term goals.   You can have work goals and personal goals. You can have relationship goals andmartial art goals .  Regardless of what your goals are, remember to follow these five steps.

1.  Decide on your goal, and  document it.  Write it down. 

2.  Ask yourself why the goal is important you and write it down beneath the goal.   This helps you stay focused on the goal and reminds you why you set that goal in the first place.

3.  Set a time line for achieving this goal.  Setting a target date will help keep you from pushing the goal off to a later date.  Write it down.

4.  Figure out a plan of action to help you achieve this goal.   Follow the plan!  Write it down.

5.  Lastly, post the goal somewhere where you will see it on a regular basis to help remind you to stay on track.

 

Make a commitment to yourself to let NOTHING stop you from achieving your goals.  You are bound to encounter obstacles/goal barriers along the way.  Whether illness, time, money, relationships, injury, or just laziness,  something will undoubtedly challenge you not to accomplish your goals.  Promise yourself now that you will

overcome your obstacles and accomplish your goals.......and you will!     

 

See you on the mat in 2013!

 

Sensei Rob

 

It's that most STRESSFUL time of year! by Down Town Judy Browne

It’s the most STRESSFUL time of the year!

Why is it that this time of year turns us all into Martha Stewart wanna-bes? Trim the tree! Light the lights! Bake the cookies! Host a party!  Oh – and look like you just stepped out of GQ or Glamour while doing it.

While it’s true that the holiday season is a very joyous time, it can also be very stressful. From the cost of food, presents, and decorations, to over-eating, over-drinking, and especially over-scheduling, it’s not surprising many of us feel overwhelmed!  And these days, it’s easy to look at our friends’ cheerful statuses and on social media sites and compare our lives to our friends’ – and find our own lacking.

Our kids also feel the stress of the holidays, and are often much more prone to tantrums and meltdowns because they don’t know how to handle it or express their feelings.

So how do we deal with the overload? Two of the top suggestions by mental health professionals just happen to be what we do here at LEMA:  1) Stick to your normal routine as much as possible and 2) EXERCISE!

Keeping to a routine helps us to feel in control. It also forces us to “just say no” to too many extra activities that can cause overload and burnout in both our kids and ourselves.  While a few fun outings and family traditions put the ho-ho in the holidays, too many can quickly add up to burnout and meltdowns. Keeping things as normal as possible will help avoid those peaks and valleys throughout the season.

As for exercise:  all of us here at LEMA know how good we feel after a workout!  That’s because exercise releases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that immediately improve our mood.   So, be sure NOT to skip your workouts or your kids’ scheduled physical activities.  Even on the craziest day, just plugging in your iPod and dancing to Jingle Bell Rock in your living room will bring a little cheer – and may even begin a new family tradition!

Finally, lighten up!  Let go of those unrealistic expectations.  You are not going to look like a supermodel by New Year’s Eve if you don’t already (although some of you already do!) Your family is not going to appear on the cover of Family Circle.  Your wife is not going to buy you that new sports car for Christmas, and your boyfriend probably won’t propose in Times Square at midnight on New Year’s Eve on the jumbotron. Even if any of these things do happen, something will probably not be perfect. Consider this as a holiday gift to yourself: Self-acceptance, self-respect and reasonable expectations.

Finally, don’t forget to take some time for yourself each day.  Those of you who attend my Cage Fitness classes know how important that is to me, and why I include one “me” minute at at the end of every class.  We can’t be there for everyone else unless we take care of ourselves first!

I wish you all the very best of the holiday season.  Cherish the time with your family and friends – remember, the best gift of all is your time.

 

Namaste,

 

Judy aka Down Town Judy Browne!