In today’s blog post, we bring all the previous posts on Goal Setting like top athletes together and work through an example.
Remember the first step is to write goals that really excite you and energise you
Eg: To be super quick and really fast off the mark
Now that sounds a lot more exciting than improving my speed or improving my ten metre sprint time! Then you need to define what ‘super quick’ and ‘really fast’ means to you. Go back to your results and determine where you are at now, and the time you want to sprint. Remember, we must be specific and be able to measure what we are doing. Let’s say it is now the 1st January and your 10 metre sprint is 2.01 seconds and you are aiming to reduce it to 1.80 seconds by March 31st. This action is specific and it is measurable and quite realistic with correct and dedicated training.
The next step is to create the actions plans to achieve this
It is not just a matter of working on sprinting 10 metres over and over gain. That will help, but only a little bit! From your testing, we would know your limiting factors and your weaknesses and can then decide what we need to do to improve your speed over 10 metres. I suggest you go through your results with your coaching team as to what needs to be done and then you can work on a clear plan of when to incorporate these into your practices. It is one thing to improve your speed but how you do it, how often you do it and when you do it is even more important. It is also important to have a deadline for each strategy too so as to keep you on track!
To Be Super Quick & Really Fast Off The Mark
As you can see from this process, it is actually easy to achieve your goals. The key is having the detailed plans and then sticking to it. Make sure you have someone that keeps you accountable to your goals. Usually this will be your coach. You need to keep reviewing and checking your goals all the time. In the above example this would mean testing a few times throughout the three month period to make sure you are on target. In this way, you can effectively measure what you are doing and check your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your training program. Finally, reward yourself and have fun and enjoy all your little achievements throughout the journey to your success.
Homework
Now it’s time to complete writing your goals. This may take a few hours to complete. Don’t rush it. Do it properly. The details in your planning are the key to your Extraordinary success. Go for your dreams. Stretch yourself. As Bill Gates said, “We overestimate what we can do in one year and underestimate what we can do in ten years.” Whatever your goal, make them a little bit bigger. Go one step further.
Conclusion
Now that you have set detailed goals and actions so that you continually improve, you are already well on the road to success. Research has consistently shown that setting goals is one of the keys to success of all high achievers. Another key is to make sure you do something every day to achieve it – even if it is the smallest thing. It is the little things we do each day that all add up over time and enhance our confidence and that is what will help you believe with conviction. Success breeds success. The confidence and belief gained in achieving your goals and actions along the way will allow you to reach for the stars and Be Extraordinary.
“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going”
Earl Nightingale
