Develop a plan to fully realize athletic goals

From the Evansville Courier Press, October 19, 2008

Every athlete needs help in setting goals to achieve. Whether it is making a team, being a starter or winning a championship, most of that process starts within the individual athlete first.

When we have individual meetings with our players and it is crucial for a team's success to have regular dialogue we try to clearly outline and define objectives for the player. Hand in hand with that process is having the player identify what is important to him on an individual and team basis. Once that is done, we work on creating an action plan and set of goals to help that set out on that path.

Highly regarded strength and conditioning coach Jonathan Conneely has created a plan for motivating professional athletes that really crystallized some of these items. Whether it is taking on challenge to meet a specific goal, or helping set one for your child, here are questions that he asks his athletes that you should ask yourself:

— How bad do you want it? Every player says that they want to achieve it, but how many actually do it? It's like the adage 'If you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.' If your goal is that important, you will do the little things to make it possible to achieve it. Training or practicing is something you do through all conditions not just when it is convenient.
Athletes who are successful at meeting goals train outside their comfort zone, and because of that, tend to be mentally stronger. Former baseball great Ted Williams commented about running around the bases after hitting a home run, despite his team being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, that "I try to play each game like someone is watching me play for the first time." Players who meet their goals don't take days off from meeting it, and their character is most likely tested when they think no one else is watching.

— What is driving you toward your goal? Is it recognition? Is it for the sheer enjoyment of the game? Is it to seek approval from someone else? Is it because of your competitive spirit or drive? Find out what motivates you, and make sure that it is the right reason.

— What am I willing to do to achieve it? Ultimately, it comes down to what you are willing to sacrifice. It is one thing to say you want to be a great athlete, to play at the collegiate or professional level. But what does it take to get there? What are you doing on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis to reach that level? You may have to live a different lifestyle than your friends, adjusting your free time and prioritizing your goal. Are you willing to make those kinds of sacrifices?

— How much do I really invest into it? How much time do you dedicate to sharpening the skills needed to achieve your goals? Be honest: Are you really ready to invest the time necessary to be great? Are you willing to put in the time and hard work necessary?

— Do you love it? Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Passion, enthusiasm and desire are key components. This is what keeps you going when times are tough. Most people quit because they are not truly passionate about what they are doing. If this goal is something that you love, don't let anything distract you from that.

Whether it is an individual goal like making a team or becoming a starter, or a team goal like winning a championship, make sure that you ask yourself these questions before you set out on your journey. The hard part is not the training — it's the map that you follow to get there.