Have you set goals for the upcoming season? Have you set even bigger goals for what you dream to accomplish someday?
I hope so.
Goals are important. Especially in sports; they help provide us with focus and fuel as we go into practice and competition. A lot of emphasis is placed on the actual creation of goals, yet little is given to the prerequisites.
Achieving your goal is determined by the choices you make.
As a freshman in college, I was high jumping worse than I did in high school. I was working hard in practice, or at least I thought I was. The note card on my bathroom mirror reflected my goal to “Jump 5’8”, but all I achieved that year was embarrassment, frustration and a lack of motivation.
My goal was not the problem. My choices were;
Double chocolate muffins, mac and cheese, and all you can eat Chinese buffets.
Staying out late. Starting homework at eleven o’clock at night. Watching hours of mindless TV.
Excuses for missing my time in the weight room. Skipping out on treatments, stretching and icing after practice.
During high jump practice, I wanted to be a good high jumper. During the rest of the day, my decisions looked a lot like that of a typical college freshman (and so did the jump in my jean size!).
Simply setting a goal does not guarantee success. You must be willing to commit to the choices you will need to make in order for your goal to become reality.
As a coach, I have seen my ‘freshman flop’ play out in many of my athletes’ lives. They want to do great things but they just don’t know how to get there. Or if they do, they are scared to make the hard choices (telling friends no, missing out on fun activities, passing on their favorite dessert).
My best advice, is to Pre-Decide.
Decide NOW, before you even lace up your shoes. Who do I want to be? What do I want to accomplish? What is it going to take to get me there?
Every team, no matter the sport, always prepares for the unexpected. Why? Because when you’re prepared for anything, nothing can rattle you. Use this same game plan with your goal setting.
Prepare for the sweat. Prepare for the schedule. Prepare for the sacrifice.
Not sure how to PRE-Decide your Goals; follow these 4 steps:
- Prioritize: What will you need to add to your routine that you are currently not doing? What/who will you need to say goodbye to?
- Research: Study those you’d like to emulate. What do they do, in and out of practice that makes them successful?
- Explain: Tell those in your circle what you want to achieve and how you plan on doing so. When they are aware of your priorities, they are more likely to respect you and your choices.
- Decide: Know all you need to, and will need to do. Remember why you set the goals in the first place and follow through when the time arises.
Don’t let your goals be just a pretty note card. Make the choices to celebrate them!
Play Now, Play YOU!
XO, Coach D
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