🙌 6 Ways to Set Your School Up for Its Biggest Year Yet (Hint: It Starts Now)

As 2024 winds down, December offers the ideal moment to step back, reassess your vision, and ensure your team is aligned for the year ahead. This isn’t just about goal setting—it’s about creating a unified plan that inspires your team, drives action, and delivers results. Let’s dive into six key areas to help you kickstart 2025 with clarity and purpose.

1. Your Marketing Theme for 2025

What’s the big idea driving your marketing this year? At MUV Martial Arts, we craft a specific marketing theme to guide all of our campaigns and content throughout the year. This theme helps us stay focused, consistent, and aligned with our messaging. Whether your focus is on character development, fitness, or family engagement, find your core message and ensure it’s woven into every piece of content you create.

2. The Team Rally Cry

Give your team something to unite behind—a rally cry or internal theme for 2025. Think of this as the north star for your staff, encapsulating your goals and mindset for the year in a single phrase. Keep it short, impactful, and memorable—something you could print on a t-shirt or poster for daily inspiration. For example, a rally cry like “Raise the Standard” or “Impact Every Life” can set the tone for your entire team.

3. Your 2025 Plan

Every successful year starts with a clear roadmap. Create a detailed spreadsheet that outlines monthly events, marketing initiatives, referral campaigns, and special dates to highlight on social media (holidays, anniversaries, etc.). This plan will help you and your team stay organized and ensure you’re capitalizing on every opportunity to engage your community and grow your school.

4. Goals for 2025

What’s the finish line for the year? Break this into two key categories:

• KPI Goals: Metrics like revenue, profit, enrollments, leads, paid trials, and attrition. Set targets that challenge your team while remaining realistic and attainable.

• Cultural Goals: Go beyond numbers. Focus on objectives like building deeper connections with students, increasing community outreach, or creating unforgettable experiences for members. These goals will reinforce your school’s mission and values.

5. Staff Opportunities

Growth isn’t just about your business—it’s about your team too. As you lay out your 2025 plan, think about how it creates opportunities for your staff. Can you offer more hours, increased pay, or pathways for advancement? If you’re opening a second location, explain how this could mean new leadership roles or specialized positions for team members. When your team sees how their efforts directly contribute to their own growth, they’ll be more motivated to perform at their best.

6. Making an Impact

How will your school leave a lasting mark on your community this year? Being intentional about your impact ensures that your business doesn’t just grow—it becomes a vital part of the lives you serve. Whether it’s hosting fundraisers, organizing volunteer events, or launching new initiatives to support local families, let your team know the why behind your efforts. A strong sense of purpose will fuel everyone’s commitment to your vision.

Final Thoughts

2025 is right around the corner, and the time to plan is now. A clear vision, aligned team, and actionable plan will set you up for success—not just in terms of numbers, but in the lives you’ll impact along the way. Use this time to regroup, refocus, and rally your team around a vision that inspires everyone to give their best. Let’s make 2025 your school’s best year yet! 💪

What’s Kickin’ on Social This Week 👊

This week’s social media roundup is full of wisdom to help you lead better, teach smarter, and inspire action. Don’t miss these top posts, and be sure to support the creators!

1. “How to Get Better at Having Hard Conversations” - Kelly Murray
   Kelly shares essential advice for handling tough talks with your team or students. If you want to build trust and create a stronger culture, this is a must-read. Check it out here

2. “How to Keep Going When You’re in a Mental Rut” - Adam Kifer
   Adam dives deep into what it takes to push through those tough mental blocks. This post is packed with actionable strategies to keep moving forward, no matter what. Read Adam’s post

3. “My Journey of Opening a Martial Arts School” - Donovan Rider
   Donovan reflects on his path to building a successful martial arts school. This heartfelt video is packed with lessons for anyone starting or growing their business. Watch on YouTube

4. “Teach Your Students to Spar Correctly” - George St. Pierre
   The legend himself, GSP, shares tips on helping students improve their sparring skills. This post is all about balance, technique, and mindset in sparring. See it on Instagram

5. “The Perils of Quitting” - The Shifted Mind
   This post is perfect for teaching parents about the dangers of letting their kids quit too soon. A powerful perspective shift that every parent in your school should hear. Watch the reel

Dive into these gems and share them with your team and community. Let these ideas fuel your week! 🔥

💪 What’s Inspiring Us This Week