In my work with teams and individual athletes, I find that most appreciate the value of goal setting, but few know all the elements that make for the best chance of success. Here are the steps I like to share with athletes to up the chances of consistent goal achievement over time:
Set specific goals
Set realistic but challenging goals
Set short- and long-term goals
Set practice and competition goals
Record and display goals
Develop goal achievement strategies
Set Process AND Outcome Goals
Provide support for goals (Coaches, I'm looking at you!)
Frame the goal positively
Provide for a system of reward
Review and reevaluate goals over the course of the season