Goal setting

Goal setting is an effective method for improving your sporting performance. It helps you work out what you want to achieve in your sport, and what you need to do to get where you want to go. Knowing exactly what you want to achieve helps you decide what skills or abilities you have to work on, and sets you on the path to improving your performance.

1. Set specific, measurable goals

Make sure that each goals you set is specific and measurable - that you know exactly what the goal is, and that you will be able to tell when you have achieved it.

2. Set short-term and long-term goals

Short-term goals are those you are working on right now. They help you focus on what you have to do today.

Long-term goals are the goals that fill your dreams: making the national team, coming first in the event, or winning the premiership. These long-term goals give you a reason to keep doing today what you must to do to achieve your dream later.

3. Set achievable goals

The goals you set must be realistic, but challenging. If a goal is easy to achieve, it will not motivate you to work hard. If it is too hard to attain, you will feel like giving up.

4. Remember your goals

Your goals should motivate you to work harder: write them down and put them where you will see them.