Success in sport, as well as life, takes preparation. The athlete is met with constant challenges of the mind, body and emotion in pursuit of a dream. There will be obstacles that you face along the way, testing your commitment, confidence and ability to focus. Developing the mental edge to face these challenges will help you realize that anything is possible with preparation. The growth that takes place in the preparation and journey toward your dreams will reward you for a lifetime. Complete the Game Plan for Success: Goals Worksheet by completing the form: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/hXEzJd6uIPFAfY9gye7

1. Game Plan for Success: Athletic and Performance
Sharpening Your Mental Edge: Setting Goals
Success in sport, as well as life, takes preparation. The athlete is met with constant
challenges of the mind, body and emotion in pursuit of a dream. There will be obstacles
that you face along the way, testing your commitment, confidence and ability to focus.
Developing the mental edge to face these challenges will help you realize that anything is
possible with preparation. The growth that takes place in the preparation and journey
toward your dreams will reward you for a lifetime.
The key to successfully prepare for any journey is to have a destination (vision, dream or
goal), and ensure that you will have fun along the way. As you move toward these goals
keep in mind the rewards of preparing for the journey.
Personal and Performance Goals
“It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.”
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Setting goals give You something to strive for in Your pursuits of sports, education and life. If it is
Sharpening the Mental Edge: Goal Setting Randy Bauer rbauer@bauerpt.com

2. Game Plan for Success: Athletic and Performance
a goal that is important to You it will have greater meaning in the efforts that are put forth to
achieve the goal. It is important to have goals that provide a challenge, as this brings out the best
in this experience. This is where personal growth takes place and the strength and confidence
are developed that will assist in further endeavors. Goals bring out the best in a person. If You
have set a goal that is too easy effort and hardwork are not realized. If You have set a goal that is
too lofty the goal may not be reached. That’s okay. Goals can be reset, so don’t be discouraged.
Establishing Your Goals
There are some helpful points to consider as you set your goals.
1. Establishing goals keep you moving forward toward your dream or vision.
2. Establish goals that are attainable and challenge your abilities.
3. Write your goals down, and make them visible with words and images.
4. Set goals that state your actions in a positive way.
5. Having goals that are fun and make you happy will pull, instead of push, you toward
your dreams.
6. Make short­term goals that prepare you for long term success.
○ These may be training goals (improving strength and conditioning), personal
goals (study habits, family commitments, or educational pursuits), performance
goals (developing a technical aspect of your routine, prepare for upcoming event,
or competitive season).
Sharpening the Mental Edge: Goal Setting Randy Bauer rbauer@bauerpt.com

3. Game Plan for Success: Athletic and Performance
Keys to Achieve Your Goals
1. Goals should be based on what is important in Your life, and made based on this
knowledge.
2. Placing your focus on what is front of You each step of the way.
3. Motivate yourself to achieve will provide the momentum for accomplishment.
4. As You achieve goals self­confidence will strengthen, preparing you for the next
challenge.
5. Own Your Goals. They are Yours.
Workshop:
In setting a goal, ask Yourself a few important questions that will help you define and
move toward Your Goal.
1. What is the result that You want to achieve?
○ Be specific how you word this. It is important to have some measure that you can
define.
○ Examples:
■ Sports: To break my personal record of 24 secs. in the 200 meters this
season I Will do the training that is required to increase my speed
endurance.
■ Training: To achieve 24 secs. in the 200 meters I Will train in practice to
break 37 sec. in 300 meters, and break 17.6 seconds in 150 meters.
2. What is the purpose of achieving this goal?
○ Why is this important to you?
■ Sports: If I break 24 sec. in the 200 meters I Will be able to qualify for the
League Championship.
■ I Will realize that that my potential as a person and athlete are possible
through the pursuits of hard work and discipline.
3. What is my action plan for achieving the result You have put forth?
Sharpening the Mental Edge: Goal Setting Randy Bauer rbauer@bauerpt.com

4. Game Plan for Success: Athletic and Performance
○ What new behaviors and practice will be required?
■ These may include, but are not limited to, sleep and recovery, good
nutritional habits, training habits and workouts(you can set short goals
here), social obligations and positive choices, and time management for
training, work/school commitments, and family relations.
4. List at least 5 Actions that will get You started.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
○ List one habit that you will start today. This is your First Action to Change.
I.
Sharpening the Mental Edge: Goal Setting Randy Bauer rbauer@bauerpt.com