A goal properly set is halfway reached.

Zig Ziglar.

What do elite athletes, successful business people and consummate professionals know about setting goals?    They all know that goals give them the ability to accomplish a great deal.  They also know that goal setting gives them an advantage.

What is goal setting?

Goal setting is the act of putting processes in motion in order to ensure specific outcomes and accomplishments.  Athletes position themselves for success using this mechanism.  It gives them a finite direction in their lives, careers and sports. You should not begin any speed and agility training without establishing your goals.

Why Set Goals?

Goals help direct an athlete to take the appropriate steps and maintain the appropriate behaviors necessary for success.  They also keep an athlete on course in the face of disappointment, difficulty or adversity.   Most importantly, setting goals helps with motivation.  The process helps attain and retain the motivation to reach higher levels of performance and it also clarifies expectations involved.  Goals make for more effective and efficient practices.   Psychologically,  goal setting gives an athlete improved self confidence, helps their motivation, feeling of pride and satisfaction in achievement.  It gives them a  willingness to take on future challenges and  increases the athlete’s likability of the sport.  Physically, setting goals helps improve athletic performance such as strength, weight and speed and agility.

Role of Coaches

With speed and agility training, a coach is highly recommended. Coaches are experienced goal setters.  They also know that goals can give athletes an edge over their opponents and most have had many years of experience in helping athletes set goals.  Coaches need to help athletes with performance goals.  They also need to help the athlete set practice goals as well as game goals.  Practice goals help the athlete achieve the most that they can in practice so that they are better prepared for the game or match.  While there are many areas involved in goal setting, the areas in which coaches can help their athletes are in fitness, technique and strategy.  Coaches help with measures, speed exercises and evaluations of progress.  In fact, studies have shown that specific, difficult, yet attainable goals tend to enhance performance.    If your coach cannot help you with goal setting or does not find this process important, find another coach.

In summary, goals are mainstay for top performers whether they are athletes or CEOs.   The ability and willingness to set goals is the master skill of success on the court, field, track, rink or diamond.

I recommend you check out this speed and agility training exercise.

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