GOAL SETTING 

Whether you are a high school freshman or senior, it’s a good idea to begin the new school year practicing a procedure that will serve you well the rest of your life – setting your own personal goals and objectives.   

Setting goals is not just about identifying what you’d like to see happen.  It is about laying out your short and long term plans in writing, then creating an action plan to make them happen, and holding yourself accountable to make sure you meet your objectives within the specified timeframe.   

It is also important to understand that goals, particularly short term goals, can change many times depending on circumstances, timing and a host of other reasons.  But if your long term goal remains the same, and you continue to hold yourself responsible for meeting it, you’ll find creative ways to change your short term plans in order that your longer term objectives become reality.  So start setting your goals now.  Doing so will help eliminate potential problems like procrastination and other stalling tactics that temporarily excuse you from taking the action required to meet your long term goals.   

Don’t be alarmed about holding yourself accountable.  Understand that setting goals is an important life lesson and those who set and meet their goals are generally considered far more successful than those who don’t.  Those who set and accomplish their goals also achieve more and usually earn career compensation packages significantly higher than those who don’t.    

So start detailing what you want to accomplish.  As a student athlete, if you want to play sports at the next level, think about where you’d like to go.  Remember, you can (and probably will) change your mind many times as you proceed through this important process.  Think about what kind of school you’d like to go to: large or small, state or private, rural or urban?  Would you sacrifice your top choice school for a second or third choice if it meant you could play as a freshman or sophomore?  

As you think about all these things, be conscious of the other thoughts that pop into your mind, and write them down too.  Most important of all - don’t procrastinate!Start now!  Write everything down as it enters your mind, then simply review all your thoughts, prioritize, and set due dates for each of them.   To help create accountability, share your written goals with your brother, sister, mom and/or dad.  Since most athletes are competitive by nature, this simple act of sharing your goals with those closest to you will create accountability and will psychologically drive you harder to achieve them.   

Numerous self-improvement companies have written a wealth of information on this subject.  To research the topic further, perform a Google search on Goals and Objectives and read through the plethora of information available.