Team DART-nuun Adventure Racing: Cyril Jay-Rayon,
Matt Hart,
Jen Segger, Ryan VanGorder
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Planning Ahead Through Goal Setting
by Jen Segger, Team DART-nuun |
Setting goals for yourself is equally as important as the actual process of achieving them. Reflecting on where you currently are at in terms of your athletic goals is a great way to identify your strengths and weaknesses and enables you to create an action plan to move forward with. With 2007 having just begun, it’s an ideal time to reflect on what you are currently doing and have a vision for what you would like to accomplish this year. We can all benefit from challenging ourselves to reach a little higher!
Whether you would like to improve your mountain biking skills, develop your night riding abilities or compete in your first 24hour race, here are some tips on how to get started with your goal setting and your journey to success.
I strongly suggest writing your goals down as being able to see them automatically puts your goals into focus. You are forced to examine yourself and see your dreams. It’s never too late to pursue your athletic ambitions.
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What You'll Need:
paper & pencil (or computer screen)
calendar
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How to Get Started:
- Review your current goals
a. What were they?
b. Did you achieve them?
c. If so, how?
d. What did you do successfully to meet them?
e. What didn’t work?
- Identify your weaknesses.
a. Be honest.
b. Prioritize them in order of what's important in order for you to improve.
- Identify your strengths.
a. What things work well for you and why?
b. Congratulate yourself.
c. What do you find yourself doing often?
d. What do you enjoy?
- Define your “Long Term Goal”
1.This may be something that is not this year, but the year after. Think big.
2.What is the biggest thing that you would like to accomplish? Don’t hold back.
- Define your “Short Term” goals
1.They should be challenging yet achievable
2.Why do you want to achieve each goal?
3.Prioritize them in order of importance – what is the #1 thing that you must accomplish?
4.How will you know if you achieved it?
5.What sort of time commitment can you realistically give towards your goal?
6.Short term goals challenge you to grow on a daily basis. It’s easier to stay on track, one month at a time. It’s also a lot less overwhelming.
7.Each goal must be specific and measurable (see example at bottom)
- Create a Time Frame
1.This can be broken down weekly or monthly
2.The overall picture can then be translated into a one year plan!
3.Use a log book to track your progress!
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Example #1:
GOAL: Improve fitness by running 5 days/week |
I will get out of bed 1 hour earlier each week day
I will prepare my running gear the night before
I will use a log book to track progress. |
Example #2:
GOAL: To race in a 24hr mountain bike event |
I will get a coach to help me with my training.
I will make a list of what gear I need.
I will join a bike club so I can train with people. |
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