Goal Setting

Having goals is important in sport as well as all aspects of life. They allow us to push ourselves and make sure we are on target with training. They also give us a great sense of accomplishment and pride when we do finally achieve them. There are three main types of goals: process goals, performance goals, and outcome goals.

Process goals are the most important because they are the smaller, more attainable goals that help you build towards the performance and outcome goals. Performance goals are the benchmarks that need to be reached to make sure you’re on track to make your outcome goal. An outcome goal is a large, tough to reach goal that is purely based on a specific result. All three of these goals are important in attaining athletic success.

When setting goals, it is helpful to follow the SMART Framework, pioneered by Peter Drucker and George Boran. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. This framework helps when setting goals because it allows the athlete to maintain focus and perspective on their goals.

Goals need to be specific. If they’re too vague, it will be hard to know when they are actually reached. If the goal is to get better at double pole, that’s too vague. It should focus on a certain aspect of the double pole, such as, “swinging arms back faster” or “higher and more forward hands.”

Goals also need to be measurable. This is tougher in XC skiing because we have so few constants, especially in the winter. Summer time trials and weight room goals are easily measurable and trackable because time and weight are the main constants that are being measured. Measurability is important to make sure you’re on track for all of your goals.

Attainability is also important when setting goals. If you have a coach it is best to have them weigh in on your goals to make sure they’re not too lofty but also not too easy. Goals should be tough but still achievable.

Goals need to be realistic as well. This is when goals should be put in perspective for each individual. If goals are not realistic there is no point in setting them. Unrealistic goals will not be achieved and most likely be discouraging in the long run.

Lastly, goals need to be time-bound, or have specific time parameters. Each goal needs to be set in a specific time frame that matches the difficulty of the goal. Some goals, mostly outcome goals, have their own time parameters. An example of this would be a specific race on a specific day during the season. In this case, the other pieces of the SMART framework should be adjusted to reach the goal for that race.

Goals should look different for everyone and the process to reach even similar goals will be different. Achieving a goal is very satisfying but can also be very frustrating and upsetting when it is not met. Setting process, performance, and outcome goals using the SMART framework will help with achieving goals. Not all goals will be achieved, and that’s okay as long as the majority of the goals are reached.