8 Steps for Better Goal Setting: Boston Sport Psychology
- Allie Renzi
- Jan 16, 2024
- 2 min read
As a therapist and sport psych, I've witnessed the transformative power of setting and organizing goals in both personal, career, and athletic realms. Whether you're navigating life's challenges or aiming for peak performance, strategic goal setting is the compass guiding you towards success. There are so many ways to go about identifying and setting goals. The method below is the best system for setting goals AND setting yourself up for success. Let's delve into some expert tips to help you master this essential skill, then we will explore the process.
Goal Setting Tips:
Reflect On Your Values:
Before penning down your goals, take a moment to reflect on your core values. Aligning your goals with what truly matters to you fosters a deeper sense of purpose and commitment. This increased autonomy and motivation, as well as levels of enjoyment on your path to your goal. Whether it's personal growth, career achievements, or athletic milestones, ensure your goals resonate with your values.
Categorize Your Goals:
Differentiate between professional/academic and personal/athletic goals. This not only clarifies your focus but also allows for a balanced approach to self-improvement. Juggling various aspects of life requires a thoughtful organization of goals.
Quarterly Planning:
For goals with a specific end date, organize them by quarter. This step helps in breaking down a larger goal into manageable milestones. It creates a roadmap for the year, allowing you to track progress and stay motivated.
Establish Habits and Processes:
Goals without an end date often involve building habits or following specific processes. Outline these habits, rituals, or routines and establish their frequency. Whether it's writing a blog post every month or dedicating time to a project weekly, having a clear process enhances consistency.
Calendar Scheduling:
Once you've sorted your goals into quarters, schedule them on a 12-16 month calendar. This visual representation aids in planning and provides a tangible overview of your journey. Be realistic with your timelines, allowing room for unexpected challenges.
Break Down Action Steps:
Work backward from your scheduled due dates and break down each goal into actionable steps. If your aim is to finish a project by Q3, identify weekly tasks leading to that milestone. This granular approach makes larger goals more manageable.
Monthly Reflection:
Regularly reflect on your progress and adjust your goals as needed. Use a monthly review to assess whether your habits align with your objectives. This adaptability ensures that your journey towards your goals remains flexible and fulfilling.
Create Habits & Routines:
Pose a monthly question to yourself: What habits and routines do you want to work on this month? Align these with your goals and schedule them accordingly. Building positive habits contributes significantly to goal achievement.
Remember, the journey to your goals should be as rewarding as the destination. Embrace mental flexibility, celebrate small wins, and acknowledge setbacks as opportunities for growth. As a therapist and sport psychologist, my ultimate advice is to make your goal-setting journey a positive and empowering experience – a journey where you are in control of your narrative.
Goal Setting Process
Write down a list of 12 professional/academic goals for 2024
Write down a list of 12 personal/ athletic goals for 2024
With any of the goals that have an ‘end date’, sort the goals by which quarter you want to have it completed by. (i.e. I want to finish the first draft of my book by Q3)
For any of the goals that do not have an ‘end date’, outline the habit, process, or ritual and it’s frequency. (i.e. goal: to write a blog post every month, process: draft a blog on the 2nd of every month, re-read draft and finalize on the 6th, post on the 10th of each month)
Once you have your goals sorted in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 start to schedule those dates onto a 12-16 month calendar.
Once you have each goal scheduled on its due date, work back the process of everything that you will need to accomplish to achieve that goal and schedule each process point. (i.e. If I want to finish the first draft of my book by Q3, then each week of Q1 and Q2 I will schedule 2 nights a week with 1 hour of writing time.
Once you have all of your outcome goals identified and scheduled with their process outlined and scheduled, write this at the top of your calendar: What are the habits and routines you want to work on this month? Are there certain habits that are in alignment with your goals?
If any of these require scheduling, put them in!
Boston Sport Psychology
Cheers to a year of intentional and successful growth and goal pursuit! You got this!
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