As a Pilates instructor, to be a great teacher you must always have the desire and will to progress toward the goal of becoming the best instructor you can be. The gift of “free will” was given to all of us at birth. Every individual has a choice and only you can make the choice to be great. However, greatness does not come by chance; greatness requires an intentional and planned strategy. Constant self-evaluation and planning must be an on going process in order for there to be continuous improvement.
Goal setting is a vital step in making any improvement. It is your first step toward continued growth of teaching skills. One of the most important steps in goal setting is to actually write your goals down on paper. According to a Harvard University study, those who write their goals down have a better chance of accomplishing those goals. Tom Hopkins once said, “An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a commitment that you change your life. Are you ready?”
When writing goals, it is important to give some honest thought to past accomplishments and the areas of opportunity that present themselves. Here are some basic steps to follow when goal setting:
- Use the Peak Pilates 5 Part Formula as a checklist to evaluate yourself. You can choose to evaluate yourself on each part of the 5 Part Formula and then choose one or two goals to work towards per month, per quarter, or per six-month period.
- Go through each area and honestly determine which of your skills need improvement. Consider these your desired outcomes. Here is an example, “During the first quarter of 2008, I would like to teach my clients to move with more clarity in their rhythms”
- Next, under each desired outcome, it is important to create performance goals for yourself. Performance goals are the actions you must take in order to achieve the desired outcome. In order to accomplish the desired outcome in the example above, here are some examples of a performance goal:
- “On Mondays and Wednesdays, I will do a 3-rep drill on the Mat, making sure I understand the rhythm of each exercise in my own body.”
- “In January, I will announce to my studio that it is “Rhythm Month” and make sure clients really understand that every exercise has a unique
rhythm.”
- “On Fridays, I will do a full reformer workout once a week for myself and cue out load the rhythms of each exercise. I will make sure that my
voice animates the rhythm of each exercise.”
- “During the first two weeks in January, I will review the rhythm of each exercise in my manual.”
- Once there is a clear understanding of the desired outcomes and performance goals, the plan must be put into action. Tom Landry once said, “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” We could not agree more.
- Once the month, quarter, or 6-month period has ended, it is now important to go back a re-evaluate your progress. Identify what has been accomplished and what still needs your attention.
- After re-evaluation, new goals must be set. The cycle starts again.
Here are some common errors that most people make when goal setting that you will want to avoid:
- Not being true to your goals
- Setting unrealistic goals in unrealistic time frames
- Over committing
Tips for writing and accomplishing goals:
- Be as specific as possible
- Share goals with a colleague or mentor for accountability
- Ask a colleague for feedback on your teaching before setting goals
Although it is important for goals to be true to the person accomplishing them, we would like you to consider that one of your goals for 2008 be one of service to others. After teaching skills have been polished and personal technique has been improved, is it not all about helping others? We believe that with these skills, everyone can teach and serve many by helping them achieve their own goals.
Many instructors are searching to find themselves, not only as teachers, but as human beings. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Every morning instructors around the world should be asking themselves, “Who can I help today?”
Pilates instructors should realize that this role, this career – which has been chosen – is a great gift. Pilates instructors have the grand opportunity to serve others and service to many leads to greatness.
- Sonia Rodriguez, Peak Pilates Master Trainer