Goal Setting
- Earl Nightingale, motivational speaker
It’s probably safe to assume that you know what goal setting is and for what reasons it might be used. It has been proven to be an effective way to raise your game and help you reach personal bests, but only if done correctly. Anybody can set goals, but the trick is learning how to set the right kinds of goals to maximize your effectiveness. The term goal refers to a specific level of proficiency on a task, usually within a specified time limit. Goals are game plans that we set for ourselves. They are the best way to get from where we are now, to where we want to be in the future. Good goals are realistic, specific, and measurable.
Are your goals...
Realistic?
Specific?
Measurable?
Good vs. Bad Goals: Can
You Tell the Difference?
- BAD: I want to become a more patient hitter.
- GOOD: I want to increase my walk total by 10 this season.
- BAD: I want to lead the league in scoring.
- GOOD: I want to score a goal or get an assist in every game
this season.
Can you tell the difference between the good and the bad Let’s use the first set as an example and look at the criteria again.
“I want to become a more patient hitter.”
- Is it realistic? Sure.
- Is it specific? No.
- Is it measurable? Maybe.
“I want to increase my walk total by 10 this season.”
- Is it realistic? Yes.
- Is it specific? Yes.
- Is it measurable? Yes.
Measurement is a large component of effective goal-setting. Measurable goals, or objective goals, involve something tangible, meaning it can be easily seen or measured. The opposite of this would be subjective goals, like saying you want to hustle more or have more fun when you play. These are good things, but they are not objective. Being objective lets other people (coaches, scouts, teammates) observe your progress. Goal-setting promotes focus, self confidence, and persistence. It also helps you stick to routines or learn new techniques. Also, setting goals forces you to be accountable. Being accountable, or responsible, shows that you accept that you have control over your thoughts, actions, and feelings. It means realizing that you can make decisions. A responsible person owns up to their actions. They understand that their decisions directly impact on their success.
Turn your Subjectivity into Objectivity
Can you think of any subjective goals you may have set for yourself in the past? How can you make these objective?
Subjective Goal...
... Objective Version
The simpler the goal, the easier it becomes to develop a specific plan to reach the goal.
When you improve your responsibility and goal-setting skills, you change the way you look at challenges in sports and in everyday life. Improving responsibility encourages you to accept that you influence the outcomes of your actions. Improving goal-setting skills allows you to devise an action plan that is manageable. By working with small tasks instead of one huge goal, you increase the probability that you will accomplish your goal, and therefore, improve your performance.
Review: Goal-setting...
- Increases your focus, self- confidence, and persistence
- Increases your motivation and satisfaction when goals are met
- Helps you stick to new routines or learn new techniques
- Encourages learning
- Improves your accountability
You’ve Set Your Goals: Now What?
Okay, so you’ve set your goals and you’ve made sure they are realistic, specific, and measurable. Good job. That is step one. But there may be problems that arise after the goals are set. Here are several well-known challenges in goal-setting that you will face, and which EXACT Sports has seen many athletes like you struggle with.
Problem One
Competitive Suffering: This occurs when you discover, during competition, that an important goal you set will not be reached. This might cause you to feel pessimistic or even threatened. One bad reaction is to try to do “too much,” which ultimately hurts your performance. To prevent this from occurring, keep in mind that not all goals that you set in life will be reached. Also, it is okay to adjust your goals as the situation unfolds. The thing about goal setting is that it shows that you are forward-looking in a realistic way, adaptable, and responsible. Falling short is not a dead end. Rather, it requires adapting a different strategy. For example, if you wanted to go 2-for-4 tonight and find yourself 0-for-3, don’t get discouraged or frustrated. Simply refocus on having a good fourth at-bat and making solid contact.
Problem Two
Appropriate Difficulty: If you make your goal too tough, it is unrealistic. It is not responsible behavior to set yourself up for failure. On the other hand, if you make the goal too easy, you won’t progress to the elite level, simple as that.
Problem Three
Remembering Your Goal: As obvious as that sounds, it is easy to forget what you set out to accomplish. Other times, you’ll remember what your goals are, but will put them on the back burner. It is not enough to remember your goals. You also have to keep them in mind and maintain discipline to accomplish them.
Problem Four
Remembering Your Goal: As obvious as that sounds, it is easy to forget what you set out to accomplish. Other times, you’ll remember what your goals are, but will put them on the back burner. It is not enough to remember your goals. You also have to keep them in mind and maintain discipline to accomplish them.
Problem Five
Remembering Your Goal: As obvious as that sounds, it is easy to forget what you set out to accomplish. Other times, you’ll remember what your goals are, but will put them on the back burner. It is not enough to remember your goals. You also have to keep them in mind and maintain discipline to accomplish them.
When It All Comes Together
When you achieve a goal that you have set yourself, your motivation and self-confidence will improve. In turn, your overall state of mind and well-being will be enhanced, and you will have the desire to set even more goals.
“I feel that the most important step in any major accomplishment is setting a specific goal. This enables you to keep your mind focused on your goal and off the many obstacles that will arise when you're striving to do your best.”
-Kurt Thomas, NBA Player
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.”
- Hannah More, 18th century writer and philanthropist
Self-Reflection Time... Have you experienced any of the problems above? What are some specific steps you can take to correct them?
“A goal properly set is halfway reached.”
-Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President
“Try not to do too many things at once. Know what you want, the number one thing today and tomorrow. Persevere and get it done.”
-George Allen, former NFL Coach and Hall of Fame inductee
The
Tools To
Improve
Proven methods to raise your level of acceptance of responsibility and goal-setting. Trust us. Theywork.
Break It Down.
Objective: Define your types of goals. Break your goals into categories: outcome, performance, and process. Outcome goals focus on the results you want, for example, wanting to get 10 rebounds in a game. Performance goals are made by looking at previous achievements and trying to improve them. Process goals focus on trying to improve technique, like becoming a better passer on the soccer field. Basically, you have to clearly known what you want to accomplish. Also helps: Achievement Motivation
Try It Now
Think of outcome, performance and process goals for your specific sport. Make sure to make them realistic, specific and measureable.
Outcome Goal:
Performance Goal:
Process Goal:
Think Specific, Realistic, Measurable
Below are some hypothetical goals that an athlete might set. Underneath each goal, write how you would improve this goal to make it more specific, realistic, and measurable.
I will become a better team player.
I will become a better puck handler.
I will lead my team in RBIs.
Begin Setting Goals Today
Now it’s your turn to work on your own goals. Use what you have learned in this module to compile a list of goals that work for you. Remember, a goal should be realistic, specific and measureable.
Goals I Want To Accomplish This Week:
Goals I Want To Accomplish This Month:
Goals I Want To Accomplish This Year: