[Updated 12 April 2020]
Goal setting is a motivational technique widely used in sport, business and life. It involves the assigning and choosing of specific, objective, concrete targets or goals, which an individual strives to achieve.
It has been proven that a systematic programme of goal setting, and working to achieve goals is highly effective in developing both physical and psychological skills. Well defined goals improve performance and quality of practice, helps clarify expectations, relieves boredom, and increase pride and self confidence.
Ideally goals should be set using the SMARTER principles; that is they should be
- Specific,
- Measurable,
- Achievable,
- Realistic,
- Time-related,
- Exciting and
- Recorded.
To be exciting they must be challenging as well as achievable. Generally, individual goals are more effective than team goals. A review of the research on goal setting clearly defines that it is one of the most powerful techniques used by elite athletes for enhancing performance. An individual without goals is like a car without a steering wheel – heading in no particular direction.