The start of a new year is the perfect time for athletes to begin making and tracking goals. Not only are goals an important part of success, but they are also key to maintaining a happy, healthy mindset.
Why Are Goals Especially Important for Athletes?
Goals can provide motivation to everyone, but especially to athletes. They can serve as a tangible destination that guides you when you are dealing with challenges, difficult training days, or setbacks. Having a specific goal to turn to on tough days can keep an athlete going, even when they may not feel like it.
Components of Goals to Consider
The types of goals athletes set matter as well. Whether it’s a specific skill they want to learn or a time they want to beat, spelling out these goals in writing allows an athlete to track progress and hold themselves accountable. An athlete should also think about the timeframes in which they hope to achieve these goals. Are they short-term goals meant to be met within the next few weeks or months? Or are they long-term goals that an athlete hopes to reach within a year or several years? Mapping out expectations across time and dividing them into smaller milestones can help keep goals within reach. Being realistic about timeframes will also help keep an athlete on track.
“You need lofty goals. Then cement it with a great work ethic.” — Jerry West
Having a goal alone can’t get us where we need to go. Jerry West was right—the work is what gets you to where you want to be. The work is equally as important as setting the goal. There are some specific things an athlete can do to help them in their journey toward reaching their goals:
● Use a journal. Write down your goals, measure your progress, and constantly check in to look for improvements—no matter how small.
● Take pictures. Capture the good days and the bad days. Keeping photos on your phone lets you look back and see progress over time.
● Focus on daily steps rather than only on big goals. Your ultimate goals may be large, but keep your head down and focus on what you need to do each day—your training sessions, workout plans, and stretching. Keeping your attention on daily steps prevents you from becoming overwhelmed by only thinking about the end goal.
●Have an accountability partner Who will check in and make sure you are doing what you need to do to reach your goals.
● Celebrate small victories! Any sort of progress is a step in the right direction. Celebrating this progress helps keep motivation up and momentum moving forward.
Big dreams start with small steps. As athletes set goals for the new year, focusing on progress—not perfection—will keep momentum going. Each day is a chance to improve, to learn, and to move closer to those big achievements.
