The Process of Effective Goal Setting

At this time of year I often encourage my clients to take some time to sit down and reflect upon what has transpired over the past season. I often encourage my clients during this time to think about their personal development and the goals they wish to accomplish for the upcoming year. I encourage my clients to closely examine the five areas of their performance: 1) Physical; 2) Technical; 3) Tactical; 4) Mental; and 5) Nutrition/Hydration & Sleep. I let them know it is very important to be really honest with themselves. To move forward effectively they have to recognize honestly were they are right now. They need to become really aware of their strengths and weaknesses. To assist my clients in helping them obtain their objectives in each of these areas I provide them the following guidelines/steps and exercise to make this process easier and more fulfilling. I encourage you to try these steps over the summer as you review your goals for the upcoming hockey season:

Guidelines

1. First, and foremost, make sure it is your goal (i.e., it is not your friends, parents, or any other significant person’s goal). Whatever it may be this is something that YOU definitely want to have/happen.
2. Don’t call it a goal. Call it a “Promise”. This is something that means a lot to YOU and it is something that you deserve in your life.
3. Clearly identify your “Promise”. Specify your “Promise” (narrow it down).
4. List and identify your personal motivator(s). It is important to recognize both the positive and negative forces that will have impact on your “Promise” to yourself. What will you gain? What will it cost you if you don’t follow through? What will be some of the sacrifices you might have to make in order to keep this promise to yourself?
5. Create a “Promise” Plan. What is your objective? By what date? Identify a location? Why do you want this? (List as many reasons why you want this to happen-This step is absolutely vital if you want your goal to come to fruitition). Who will benefit? (e.g., your family, your boss, or society, etc.) What are the necessary steps?
6. Review your “Promise” and “Your Plan”. Put it in place that you will see it regularly. Review your plan 20 minutes each day. Review your promise regularly (e.g., index cards, posters, photographs, pocket promise, etc.).
7. Tell yourself that you will succeed (this will determine the size of your belief). Create a list of empowering beliefs/affirmations that you repeat to yourself on a regular basis (e.g., “What I desire is on it’s way”, “I can do this!”).
8. Tell others of your “Promise”. This will dramatically increase your commitment level to fulfill your promise (remember there is tendency to tell ourselves that it is okay to fail, if nobody knows).
9. Envision the results of Your “Promise” daily. (Imagine your promise in all its senses (e.g., smell, hear, taste, touch, see, etc.) For example, I often have my clients describe in detail what they will see in their life that will let them know they have achieved their goal? Likewise, what will they hear people saying and/or what will they be saying to themselves to indicate that goal is coming to fruitition. Finally, how will they feel once they have accomplished their goal? To deepen this, I often ask my clients where in their body will they feel it?
10. Finally, it is critically important to take into consideration or anticipate the potential roadblocks or obstacles to your goal and how you will cope with these potential setbacks.To help my clients with this step I often encourage them to do two specific things: 1) think about the quality that they want to develop in themselves as result of achieving this goal (e.g., patience, perseverance, discipline, etc.); 2) what’s one small gesture or action they could take on a daily basis that would advance them on the journey of success. Remember, don’t wait to get motivated! Take action first and your passion will grow from there!