Setting Goals for Next Cycle
One position to focus on, one technique to level up, one weakness to address.
Data-Driven Goal Setting
Random goals rarely stick. Goals based on your actual training data are more meaningful and achievable. After four weeks of journaling, you have the information to set smart goals.
The Three-Goal Framework
Keep it simple. Set three goals for your next 4-week cycle:
- Position Goal: One position to develop
- Technique Goal: One technique to level up
- Weakness Goal: One gap to address
Why only three? More goals dilute focus. These three cover different aspects of your development without overwhelming you.
Choosing Your Position Goal
Look at Your Data
Review your Position Trackers and sparring logs:
Questions to ask:
- Which position do I spend the most time in but have few techniques?
- Which position do I avoid because I'm uncomfortable?
- Which position would open up new areas of my game?
Good Position Goals
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Strengthen a weakness | "Develop my half guard bottom" |
| Expand options | "Add 2-3 techniques from mount top" |
| Create connections | "Link my closed guard to back takes" |
| Address a gap | "Build any game from standing" |
Write Your Position Goal
Position: _______________________
Specific Objective: _______________________
How I'll measure success: _______________________
Choosing Your Technique Goal
Review Your Competency Matrix
Find a technique that's ready to level up:
Good candidates:
- Level 2 techniques you've drilled a lot
- Level 3 techniques that almost work in sparring
- High-percentage techniques from your position focus
SMART Technique Goals
| Element | Application |
|---|---|
| Specific | Name the exact technique |
| Measurable | What level are you moving to? |
| Achievable | Is one level up realistic in 4 weeks? |
| Relevant | Does it support your position goal? |
| Time-bound | 4-week cycle |
Example Technique Goals
Too vague: "Get better at submissions"
Better: "Move my triangle from Level 2 to Level 3"
Best: "Hit a triangle in positional sparring starting from closed guard at least twice this month"
Write Your Technique Goal
Technique: _______________________
Current Level: ___
Target Level: ___
Specific success criteria: _______________________
Choosing Your Weakness Goal
Identify from Sparring Data
Look at your Sparring Summary:
Questions to ask:
- What submission catches me most?
- Where do I lose position most often?
- What's my lowest success rate category?
Types of Weakness Goals
| Weakness Type | Goal Approach |
|---|---|
| Getting submitted often | "Defend [specific submission] successfully 3x in sparring" |
| Poor position | "Escape side control within 30 seconds at least half the time" |
| Low offense | "Attempt at least 3 submissions per sparring session" |
| Cardio/endurance | "Maintain technical offense in final round" |
Write Your Weakness Goal
Weakness: _______________________
Specific Objective: _______________________
How I'll measure improvement: _______________________
Making Goals Work Together
The best goal sets are synergistic:
Example: Complementary Goals
Position: Develop closed guard bottom Technique: Level up scissor sweep to Level 4 Weakness: Improve sweep success rate (currently 25%)
These all work together. Developing closed guard includes improving sweeps, and the scissor sweep is a specific technique to focus on.
Example: Comprehensive Goals
Position: Build mount offense (strength) Technique: Level up armbar from mount (specific technique) Weakness: Reduce getting swept from mount (defensive gap)
Again, all three address the same area from different angles.
Tracking Goal Progress
Weekly Check-Ins
During your Weekly Review, assess:
- Position Goal: Did I spend time in this position? What did I learn?
- Technique Goal: Did I practice this technique? Any progress?
- Weakness Goal: Did I face this situation? How did I do?
Goal Tracking Table
| Week | Position Time | Technique Practice | Weakness Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 |
Mid-Cycle Adjustment
After Week 2, assess honestly:
- Is the goal still appropriate?
- Am I making progress?
- Do I need to adjust scope (more or less ambitious)?
It's okay to adjust. The goal serves you, not the other way around.
Common Goal-Setting Mistakes
Too Many Goals
Setting 8-10 goals means achieving none. Stick to three.
Too Vague
"Get better at jiu-jitsu" isn't actionable. Be specific.
Too Ambitious
"Become a world champion this month" isn't realistic. One level up is progress.
Not Connected to Data
Goals should address what your data reveals, not what sounds cool.
No Success Criteria
If you can't measure it, you can't know if you achieved it.
Sample Goal Sets
For a New White Belt
| Goal Type | Goal |
|---|---|
| Position | Survive in side control bottom (not panic) |
| Technique | Execute mount escape elbow-knee in drilling |
| Weakness | Reduce times getting submitted per session |
For an Experienced White Belt
| Goal Type | Goal |
|---|---|
| Position | Develop butterfly guard (new position) |
| Technique | Hit scissor sweep in live sparring |
| Weakness | Improve guillotine defense (keep getting caught) |
For a Blue Belt
| Goal Type | Goal |
|---|---|
| Position | Expand back attack options |
| Technique | Level up bow-and-arrow choke to Level 4 |
| Weakness | Better takedown defense (always pulling guard) |
Your Goal Set
Fill in your three goals for the next 4-week cycle:
Position Goal
Position: _______________________
Objective: _______________________
Success looks like: _______________________
Technique Goal
Technique: _______________________
Current → Target Level: ___ → ___
Success looks like: _______________________
Weakness Goal
Weakness: _______________________
Objective: _______________________
Success looks like: _______________________
Accountability
Write your goals somewhere visible:
- First page of your journal
- Printed and in your gym bag
- Photo on your phone
Review them before each training session. "Today I want to work on ___."
Next Step
You've set your goals. The final lesson covers how to continue the journaling cycle and iterate on your system over time.