As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and recalibrate.
Let’s cut through the usual New Year’s noise. If you’re running a sports business or martial arts academy, you don’t need another generic goal-setting guide. You need a plan that works.
We don’t believe being ambitious (we’re taking to business owners and athletes here – it’s in your DNA) is the top reason for not reaching goals. The real killer? Setting goals that don’t match your business’s core mission.
If you don’t set goals that align with your mission you’ll never make it.
At UnGentle Sports Marketing, goal setting is about crafting a roadmap that leads to tangible success.
Here’s how you can set goals for 2025 and actually achieve them.
1. Align Your Goals with Your Purpose and Values
People abandon goals when they are misaligned with their priorities and values.
If your values center around delivering exceptional customer experiences, setting a revenue-focused goal might feel unmotivating.
Your revenue goals matter, but they should be the result of nailing your primary mission, not the mission itself.
Reframe your goals: “Achieve a 95% customer satisfaction rate while maintaining sustainable growth.”
💡 UnGentle Tip:
Ask yourself,
What gets you fired up about your academy/business?
What impact do you want to make on your customers’ lives?
Where do you want your brand to stand in the community?
2. Make Them Realistic — but Stretch Yourself
Goals should challenge. Setting the bar too high without a proper plan can lead to burnout, while setting it too low doesn’t inspire the growth needed to reach your potential.
Find the spot where your goals feel like a stretch but remain achievable with effort and focus.
💡 UnGentle Tip: Instead of: “Grow my academy” Try: “Add 50 committed students while maintaining an 85% retention rate”
3. Prepare Like it’s a Major Competition
Don’t leave your progress up to chance.
Set quarterly milestone. Plan monthly check-ins
Track your progress weekly.
Block out times for assessment. Reflect on what’s working, identify roadblocks, and recalibrate if necessary.
💡 UnGentle Tip: Block out 30 minutes on the first Monday of each month for a goal check-in. Treat it like a high-priority coaching session.
4. Build Your Corner Team
Every athlete needs a solid corner team. A shared vision creates collective momentum. Share your goals with your coaching staff, get your team invested in your vision and Consider partnering with experts for areas outside your expertise
💡 UnGentle Tip: Don’t just share your goals—invite feedback and ideas. Your team’s support can help you refine and achieve them.
5. Know Your Win Conditions?
Vague goals lead to vague results. Be specific about what victory looks like. Are you measuring:
- Student retention rates
- Revenue targets
- Community engagement metrics
- Brand recognition goals
Or something else?
💡 UnGentle Tip: Write your success criteria down and revisit them during your monthly check-ins.
Make sure we acknowledge our successes. If you’ve gotten your team involved in the goal, let them know the reward. Celebrating your wins will keep you motivated for the next challenge. Micro celebrations when it comes can be a great way to keep the people in your corner amped up for success
Often the missing part of smashing goals is not shifting who we believe ourselves to be. Decide who you are going to be and show up as that version now, not just when you’ve achieved what you want. If you make this internal shift, you’ll reach your goals faster (promise).
The UnGentle Edge
We are all human, and it’s natural to hit inconsistency on the road to becoming world-class.
That’s why while you’re focused on developing athletes and nurturing your community, we ensure your digital presence and marketing efforts are working 24/7.
We can be a big player in your corner team, solely focused on your business growth.
Ready to Make 2025 Your Year?
Whether you’re aiming to:
- Dominate your local market
- Scale your sports brand
- Transform more lives through your coaching
We’re here to help you create and execute a marketing strategy that matches your ambition.
At UnGentle Sports Marketing, we believe in the power of action and accountability. So, what’s your big goal for 2025? Share it, own it, and let’s make it happen.
Learn more about paid advertising.