Every year athletes young and old set out with new goals for their upcoming seasons. Unfortunately, these goals and dreams aren’t always achieved, especially when unexpected injuries, illnesses, and realities that were not accounted for happen. When emotions, confidence, and motivation are all high in the beginning of the season it can be easy to write down those loft exciting goals but every season dog days will come. That said, its important to be equip with tools that ensure you will develop meaningful goals and appropriate manners of accomplishing them. Let’s examine just a few critical components to successful goal setting.
1. Under Each Specific Goal Write 3-5 Daily Habits That Will Support in Accomplishing such a Goal. Example: Goal – Remain Injury Free Throughout The Season (1. Average 8+ Hours Of Sleep A Night 2. Eat 150g Protein Per Day 3. Spend 15 Minutes Stretching Each Evening)
2. Write Down The Potential Uncontrollable Realities That May Derail Your Situation – Too often we can become so disappointed in ourselves if we fail to achieve a goal regardless if the failure was entirely our responsibility or not. When we become aware of the uncontrollable in our situation, we can become more self-aware and respond calmly to the difficult aspects of achieving our goals.
3. Find Ways To Integrate Habits Into Everyday Routines – James Clear in his book Atomic Habit proposes an idea called Habit Stacking. How? Identify 3-5 things that you do everyday regardless, brushing teeth, brewing coffee, flossing, driving to and from occupation etc. Within these everyday tasks, identify positive habits that may be integrated into these tasks. For example, writing down three things you are grateful for while your coffee is brewing in a journal, stretching while dinner is cooking, drinking 16 oz of water on each drive length to and from occupation, read for 15 minutes before bed instead of scrolling social media.