Willie M
GOAL SETTING - GETTING THE GAMES STARTED
By Gary A. Beale, Ph.D.
In most cases becoming a more successful competitor requires very specific behavior changes. For example, in order to consistently ski at the highest levels of your potential, you may need to run gates more often, eat better, modify tactics, improve technique or increase stamina. You can facilitate the process of behavior change by changing the way you think. Setting specific, positive, realistic and attainable goals is an off-snow "Mind Game" that improves on-snow performance. Effective goal setting starts with defining where you are now. Getting an accurate and objective assessment of present skills, abilities and deficiencies is the first step towards getting started in the "dry land training" of the basic skiing mind game. The help of a good ski coach or other qualified person who has watched you ski and race is invaluable and should always be a part of the assessment process. Your coach should help you set at least one short (Pre-Season), medium (Mid-Season) and long-range (End of Season) goal. You should also establish at least three steps that you must take in order to achieve each goal. Because the process of writing your goals and steps down on paper helps them to become more concrete and also helps you to become more committed to their achievement, you should always play this mind game with paper and pencil. You are more likely to take the steps to achieve your goals and experience success if you review your goals and steps on a regular basis. Once they have taken final written form, transfer them to something you can easily carry with you. Make it a habit to review them at least once before you practice or play. By reviewing them you will stay focused on what you must do to improve, be more aware of your progress and begin to establish a mental warm-up routine that puts you in the right frame of mind to bring out your best on the court. Get your "Goals and Steps Sheet" laminated and keep it in your ski bag or with your equipment so that you are always ready to re-focus your attention on what you must do to achieve your goals. Remember that your goals may need to be changed or modified as time passes and progress is made. Update them at least once every three months. The next section will tell you how to use your goals and steps to create positive statements, called affirmations, which will rapidly transform your attitude into that of a consistent winner.