Soccer Goals Or Goal Setting, Choose Wisely.

Another year has quietly passed us by and 2009 brings us more New Year Resolutions that we will inevitably break. Reflecting on 2008 did anyone keep their promises or achieved their goals? If you didn’t don’t be alarmed. You fit in with the other 98% of the population that didn’t reach their goals or keep their promise to themselves. Now that New Years has come and gone I’d like to remind everyone to set goals and I’m not talking about soccer goals. With the start of a new year comes new hope and dreams and I would like to spend this post talking about Goal Setting Tips.

Once again these are my thoughts and should not be read as gospel. What works for me might not work for you. But the generic formula is always the same.

• Each Goal should be a positive statement- When you set a goal always refer to it in a positive way. Players trying to make the cut in a team should never think or say, “I hope I don’t get cut from the team”. Replace this with ” I can’t wait to play for this team, all the hard pre-season is paying off”. At the end of the day, the coach does pick the team or does he? If you want to play for a team and you really want it, you select yourself. Grit your teeth and don’t stray from your goals or your plan.
• Be Cut Throat/Precise- Set an exact goal. By such and such day I will have accomplished my goal. Set dates, times and places so you can measure your achievement. By giving yourself a time frame you can work out whats working and whats not working. “In 6 weeks I’m going to be the fittest and strongest player in my team”. Not “I hope I don’t get cut from the team.”
• Priorities- If you make several goals, priorities them. By setting goals in order this will eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed. This will also help you direct your energies in the right order and direction. “In 6 weeks I’m going to be the fittest and strongest player in my team, as soon as pre-season starts I’m going to show the coach that I’ve put in the hard yards and ready to play 1st team football. I would like the number 10 shirt and would like to play in my desired position”. Not “I hope I don’t get cut from the team”.
• Write your goals down- Have a log book and keep track of your progress. Recording progress will allow you to develop momentum and allow you to up the stakes as you improve. “Completed 2 Km run in XX minutes which is my personal best. Tomorrow I will endeavor to beat this time, no crush it.” Not “I hope I don’t get cut from the team.”
• Keep your Goals small and realistic-Look for steady improvements and work towards attaining smaller portions of your goal that leads to the bigger masterplan. If your goals are too large and you don’t see results you will become frustrated and discouraged. “This year I will consolidate my place in the starting eleven. Next year I will represent my State in the Nationals”Not “I hope I don’t get cut from the team.”
• Set Performance Goals, not Outcome Goals-Always set goals that you have total control over. This can include bad weather, injury or just bad luck. Keep your goals performance based and personal, then you can control them and get satisfaction when you tick them of the Goal List. “I’ve rolled my ankle but it’s not the end of the world. I’ve established myself within the starting eleven and have proven to be one of the best and fittest players.” Not “I hope I don’t get cut from the team.”
• Set Realistic Goals-Set goals you can achieve. Once you gain momentum then lift the bar to new heights. Compete against yourself, not the team, the coach or your ego. “Today I juggled the ball 100 times before it hit the ground. Tomorrow I’m chasing 200”. Not “I hope I don’t get cut from the team.”

Setting goals and achieving them builds your confidence and self-esteem. Once you’ve put in the hard yards, your thoughts will not be

I hope I don’t get cut from the team.

If you’ve set goals and have ticked them off your list, you arrive at pre-season training ready and full of confidence. When the coach does time trials to analyse the players fitness, you are ready.

I’ve completed this run many times. This is my time to beat, I will not wait for any players. I will unearth my lungs of steel and everyone will soon be eating out of my hands.

Before you set any goals, decide what is important for you. If your a parent, listen to your kids and work out what is important to them. Always stay motivated and/or always encourage and motivate your kids. Always remain humble and down to earth because if you practice these methods you will become the best, you will become confident and most will see this as arrogant.

If you don’t set goals or never have, try it. If you follow the above steps honestly I will guarantee you in a years time you will be twice the player you are today.

Learn to commit to yourself before you commit to the team of your choice.

Grab a piece of paper and pen and write your goals down. Lets have this same discussion in 2010 and see if anything has changed……..

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