Gold Coast Performance Psychology
Gold Coast Performance Psychology
0414 505 088
August 24
Training Tip #37 – “Goal Setting Again”
It was my goal to get this done yesterday, but . .
Seriously? More goal setting? How hard can it be? Okay, perhaps some of you managed to set effective athletic goals last year, and achieved (or exceeded) all of them. If so, congratulations! But if you came up short, or found your goals too easy, or gave up halfway through, or didn’t really set clear goals in the first place, then this is for YOU!
Firstly, let’s talk about four different kinds of goals, all of which can exist simultaneously.
1. Target goals – this is when you set yourself a target such as “Racing in the State titles” or “Doing an Everesting attempt”. It’s a fixed event, with defined time parameters, and you will either do it, or you won’t.
2. Outcome goals – this relates to how WELL you hope to complete your chosen goal. It’s more about “Placing in the top 5 at State titles” or “Everesting a known hill better than so-and-so”. It’s a goal with a measurable result that you can exceed, or almost reach.
3. Performance goals – these are about how YOU will perform the task, regardless of the comparative outcome. It might be measured in terms of speed, or power output, or time, or average heart rate . . . but it’s all about you.
4. Process goals – describe form, rather than function. These are about maintaining steady cadence or rhythm, keeping your pedal-stroke smooth, focusing on breath or posture, and maintaining it over time.
Secondly, goals are supposed to form part of a well-conceived training plan. With the help of a coach, or a sports psychologist, an athlete devises goals that are appropriate, realistic, and yet still challenging. And these goals form a part of each progress review.
Thirdly, goals are there to serve YOU, not the other way around. If you become a slave to your goals, and start to lose interest in your sport, or start to resent your coach, then your goals are not doing their intended job. They are supposed to be motivating, not limiting.
And finally (for now), goals are not supposed to be shrouded in secrecy (or kept in the dark like a mushroom). They are supposed to be discussed, shared, talked about . . . fed, and watered, and pruned, and mulched, like a living organism that will hopefully bloom one day.
Now that winter is (almost) over . . . take a look at Goal Setting, again. Decide where YOU are going this year! (And talk to me if you need help!)
