Where Goal Setting Can Go Wrong
for Athletes

 

Goal setting can go wrong for a number of reasons:

Outcome goals instead of performance goals. When an athlete using outcome goals fails to achieve the goal for reasons outside his or her control; this can be very dispiriting and can lead to loss of enthusiasm and feelings of failure. Set performance goals.

 

Goals can be set unrealistically high. When a goal is perceived to be unreachable, no effort will be made to achieve it. Set realistic goals.

 

Conversely goals can be set so low that the athlete feels no challenge or benefit in achieving the goal. Setting goals has been a waste of time. Set goals that are challenging.

 

Goals can be so vague that they are useless: it is difficult to know whether vague goals have been achieved. If achievement cannot be measured, then your self-confidence will not benefit from goal setting, nor can you observe progress towards a greater goal. Set precise, quantitative goals.

 

Goal setting can be unsystematic, sporadic and disorganized. Here goals will be forgotten, achievement of goals will not be measured, and feedback will not occur into new goals. The major benefits of goal setting have been lost. Be organized and regular in the way that you use goal setting.

 

Too many goals may be set, leading to a feeling of overload. Remember that you deserve time to relax and enjoy other activities.

Goal setting is a great way to motivate yourself but it's important to know how to set goals that will work. The SMART method ensures goal setting that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, contains enough Risk, and employs a realistic Time Frame.

 

Specific - Decide on a goal that says exactly what you're going to do. Instead of saying "run every day," make your goal "run three miles every day."

 

Measurable - Make sure you are able to measure how much you've improved as you work towards your goal. Being a better person is not a measurable goal.

 

Attainable - Dream big, but be realistic. Make sure there is a clear route that can be taken to achieve your goals.

 

Risk - Set goals that challenge you. This way when you achieve them, you will feel like you've actually accomplished something.

 

Time Frame - Put a time frame on your goal to keep yourself from putting it off. Allow yourself enough time to accomplish the goal but be sure to have an exact deadline to push you.