Goal Setting Research and Its Applications in MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
A lot of what I've been juggling in my own mind lately has been about "feedback" in MMA / Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Between the Strengths Map topic and the presentation for Ivey League MMA, I've been doing a lot of thinking on how to use feedback most effectively from a learning and performance standpoint.
What I usually do when I get curious is look at the research - and consequently that's exactly what this post is about: examining a meta analysis of psychological literature on goal setting and feedback (see bottom of this article for reference to article).
The gist of the article is the following: goal setting and feedback is almost always more powerful in bringing about desired results than either one on their own.
Goal Setting as Essential Think about it this way, having a goal (whether it be to become world BJJ champion, or to win a particular tournament, or attain a certain level of skill) is important because (among other things) it helps to direct the effort, persistence, and strategic direction of one's behavior.
Showing up to practice with the particular goal of winning the BJJ World Championships at Purple Belt is much different than "showing up to practice" alone.
With a goal in mind, each and every decision can be referenced to this goal.
If given a choice to train Gi or No-Gi, the person aiming to win the Worlds will likely choose Gi - if given the chance to fight a few extra rounds the person Merely having a goal in mind is essential, nobody has ever stood on the Olympic podium without imagining themselves there thousands of times.
From what I can see of the MMA / BJJ community in this year of 2011, having a structured format for goal setting is kind of like what weight lifting was in the early years of the NFL.
Its something some people do, but its not a "big deal.
" In the coming decade - with the ensuing increase in sophistication of MMA training, I believe that having an effective, focused goal setting system will become a staple of combat sport - just as it has with nearly all other sports at the professional and Olympic level.
Feedback's Biggest Role Feedback's biggest role is as knowledge of performance.
Having a goal is a first building block, but a goal that seems too far away (a distant championship, a skill level far above your current abilities) can be demotivating.
Feedback can serve not only as a motivator in providing data, but it can also be motivating in its nature.
For instance, your coach may give you a pointer on the way you are drilling to prepare for a big competition (sharpened data), but may also encourage you with his words and his voice (emotional encouragement).
From a cognitive perspective, feedback increased performance only when it helps the individual act effectively.
This means that if there is too much data available, feedback funnels sharpens the focus on the essential.
If there is not enough data available, feedback opens the perception to new, important information.
Again, as food for thought I hope this encourages people to set some firm goals for themselves on (or off) the mat - and to keep in mind that without continuous feedback (preferably from experts or experienced others), you likely aren't getting where you want to go as fast as you'd like to get there.
Between the Strengths Map topic and the presentation for Ivey League MMA, I've been doing a lot of thinking on how to use feedback most effectively from a learning and performance standpoint.
What I usually do when I get curious is look at the research - and consequently that's exactly what this post is about: examining a meta analysis of psychological literature on goal setting and feedback (see bottom of this article for reference to article).
The gist of the article is the following: goal setting and feedback is almost always more powerful in bringing about desired results than either one on their own.
Goal Setting as Essential Think about it this way, having a goal (whether it be to become world BJJ champion, or to win a particular tournament, or attain a certain level of skill) is important because (among other things) it helps to direct the effort, persistence, and strategic direction of one's behavior.
Showing up to practice with the particular goal of winning the BJJ World Championships at Purple Belt is much different than "showing up to practice" alone.
With a goal in mind, each and every decision can be referenced to this goal.
If given a choice to train Gi or No-Gi, the person aiming to win the Worlds will likely choose Gi - if given the chance to fight a few extra rounds the person Merely having a goal in mind is essential, nobody has ever stood on the Olympic podium without imagining themselves there thousands of times.
From what I can see of the MMA / BJJ community in this year of 2011, having a structured format for goal setting is kind of like what weight lifting was in the early years of the NFL.
Its something some people do, but its not a "big deal.
" In the coming decade - with the ensuing increase in sophistication of MMA training, I believe that having an effective, focused goal setting system will become a staple of combat sport - just as it has with nearly all other sports at the professional and Olympic level.
Feedback's Biggest Role Feedback's biggest role is as knowledge of performance.
Having a goal is a first building block, but a goal that seems too far away (a distant championship, a skill level far above your current abilities) can be demotivating.
Feedback can serve not only as a motivator in providing data, but it can also be motivating in its nature.
For instance, your coach may give you a pointer on the way you are drilling to prepare for a big competition (sharpened data), but may also encourage you with his words and his voice (emotional encouragement).
From a cognitive perspective, feedback increased performance only when it helps the individual act effectively.
This means that if there is too much data available, feedback funnels sharpens the focus on the essential.
If there is not enough data available, feedback opens the perception to new, important information.
Again, as food for thought I hope this encourages people to set some firm goals for themselves on (or off) the mat - and to keep in mind that without continuous feedback (preferably from experts or experienced others), you likely aren't getting where you want to go as fast as you'd like to get there.
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