Multisport Dreams - Commit To Achieving Your Goals in 2004

“I'm a great believer in goal setting. Step by step. I can't see any other way of accomplishing anything.” Michael Jordan

Many of you will now be well into your preparations for the 2004 season, and I am sure that you will all have some goals in mind. Maybe your goal is to do well in a particular race, or to complete a longer distance event, or maybe it is to reduce your bike split, or improve your swim technique. Goals are vital to success, as they provide motivation, direction and feedback, and represent a commitment to achieving your best performances. However, simply having a goal in your mind is not enough. Having an effective, powerful goal setting strategy can significantly improve your chances of achieving your desired outcomes - goal setting becomes goal getting!

Effective goal setting is essential to high achievement. If you want to achieve your goals then you need to commit to them, and take action. I have outlined below a very powerful goal setting process that I recommend to the athletes that I work with. It takes a little while to work through initially, but the more that you use it the easier it becomes, and many of the stages are actually interconnected. Yes, goal setting is a little extra work, but isn't it those who do that little bit extra that generally get the best results? Don't leave achieving your goals to chance. Make it a choice. Take action NOW!

1. Decide on what level of performance you would like to achieve. What is the highest level that you could reach if everything went to plan? This is your dream goal.

2. Think about what you want to achieve in the next few months, this season, in 2-4 years time. You are going to be someone…going to be at some level - why leave it to chance, why not decide. What are the steps towards achieving your dream goal?

3. When setting goals make sure that they adhere to the SMARTER acronym.

4. Write your goals down. I advise my athletes to have theirs at the front of their training diaries, to write them out at the beginning of each week, and to have them written on business card size pieces of card, which they can stick-up by their bedside, and also have a set for their wallet, and kit bag etc. It may seem obsessive, but it keeps a high level of focus and commitment.

6. For your most important goals develop an action plan to help you achieve them. What steps do you need to take?

7. Remember all behaviors are a thinking process. Think about your goals regularly. Action follows thought, particularly thought with feeling. Think about your goals regularly - especially the feeling of having your goals achieved. Use that feeling to inspire and motivate you. Ask yourself each day “What will I do today towards achieving my goals?”

Finally, within the whole goal setting cycle remember these words from the great Carl Lewis “Its about the journey not the outcome.” Enjoy your sport, and enjoy life! Good luck to all of you with your sporting goals and dreams for 2004!