Plan: Set "SMART" Goals
Why Set Goals?
Setting goals can help players not only improve their overall performance--it can also boost their ability to handle adversity. Goals are more than wishes, hopes and dreams. Dreaming is important in sports and in life, but dreams lack an essential ingredient inherent in effective goal setting. And that is the observable, measurable behaviors required for achieving the end result.
Types of Goals
There are two types of goals: performance goals and outcome goals.
PERFORMANCE GOALS
Performance goals are goals in which participants focus on process-oriented standards relative to ones own best performance capabilities. They emphasize the PROCESS by which a given outcome is achieved. A key component of process goals is that the participant has much more control on the achievement potential and successful outcome of these types of goals.
Examples of process goals are:
OUTCOME GOALS
Outcome goals are goals in which participants focus on the end result, the outcome, or a PRODUCT-type measurement as the standard of comparison. These are the most often recited and typically utilized types of goals among coaches and athletes. While participants "think" they have control over outcome goals, the facts indicate that athletes and coaches have only partial control (at best), or little to no control over the ultimate successful achievement of outcome goals.
Examples of outcome goals are:
The preferred type of goals to set are performance goals that specify both the observable behavior and the time frame for when these changes will occur. I generally recommend that for every outcome goal that a coach or athlete sets, it should be accompanied by at least four process goals. For example, if you set a goal to become a starter on next year's team (an outcome goal) you should set three process goals that will increase the likelihood of you achieving that goal. These performance goals would be behaviors or activities over which you have complete control and your participation and ultimate success is virtually guaranteed.
Setting goals can help players not only improve their overall performance--it can also boost their ability to handle adversity. Goals are more than wishes, hopes and dreams. Dreaming is important in sports and in life, but dreams lack an essential ingredient inherent in effective goal setting. And that is the observable, measurable behaviors required for achieving the end result.
Types of Goals
There are two types of goals: performance goals and outcome goals.
PERFORMANCE GOALS
Performance goals are goals in which participants focus on process-oriented standards relative to ones own best performance capabilities. They emphasize the PROCESS by which a given outcome is achieved. A key component of process goals is that the participant has much more control on the achievement potential and successful outcome of these types of goals.
Examples of process goals are:
- Increasing the number of tennis serves taken in order to improve ones' first service percentage
- Committing to a consistent pattern of three strength-training sessions per week in order to increase the amount of weight lifted for a one-rep max
- Engaging in first-person imagery training two days per week for the next month of practice
OUTCOME GOALS
Outcome goals are goals in which participants focus on the end result, the outcome, or a PRODUCT-type measurement as the standard of comparison. These are the most often recited and typically utilized types of goals among coaches and athletes. While participants "think" they have control over outcome goals, the facts indicate that athletes and coaches have only partial control (at best), or little to no control over the ultimate successful achievement of outcome goals.
Examples of outcome goals are:
- Become a starting member of the team this season
- Win the league championship
- Achieve the school scoring record before graduating
The preferred type of goals to set are performance goals that specify both the observable behavior and the time frame for when these changes will occur. I generally recommend that for every outcome goal that a coach or athlete sets, it should be accompanied by at least four process goals. For example, if you set a goal to become a starter on next year's team (an outcome goal) you should set three process goals that will increase the likelihood of you achieving that goal. These performance goals would be behaviors or activities over which you have complete control and your participation and ultimate success is virtually guaranteed.
Be "SMART"
When setting your goals it is important to remember to make them "SMART" goals. Following this acronym ensures that you are setting effective goals that will drive improvement and help you be successful. Below, I explain how to create effective goals.
When setting your goals it is important to remember to make them "SMART" goals. Following this acronym ensures that you are setting effective goals that will drive improvement and help you be successful. Below, I explain how to create effective goals.
Specific
A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. A specific goal must answer the six “W” questions:
Measurable Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience a sense of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal. To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as: How much/many? How will I know when it is accomplished? Attainable To be attainable, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Relevant Setting goals and working to achieve them is a difficult process. Make sure that you are choosing goals that are important and meaningful to you. If it relates to things that are important in your life and your remind yourself of why you are pursuing the goal, it is much easier to work for and you are much more likely to attain it. Timely A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there’s no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs, when do you want to lose it by? “Someday” won’t work. But if you anchor it within a time frame, “by May 1st”, then you have set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal. |
"The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort."
Michael Jordan
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