“I hope the millions of people I’ve touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude.” Michael Jordan
Why do certain players achieve more success than others do?
You probably have heard about basketball-legends like Bill Russel, Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, and many more. Do you know what all of these had in common and what made them superstars of basketball?
The answer is one fundamental principle: Goal Setting.
Why Is Goal Setting Important?
In sport psychology for basketball, setting up goals is essential because they are clear markers for the athlete to track progress from one point to the next.
This is about progression and one’s ability to succeed where they once could not before. For so many athletes, setting and then accomplishing goals continues to be an area where they fall short.
How to Set Effective Goals?
The secret to basketball success is to set practical goals. There are different ways to set effective goals.
S.M.A.R.T.format is one of them
S.M.A.R.T. goals are designed to provide structure, guidance, and help you identify what you want to accomplish in the game. This method is especially useful in assisting athletes in setting goals that align with their vision.
S.M.A.R.T. goals are a useful tool to help you improve your chances of succeeding in basketball. The acronym stands for:
S – Specific
When setting a goal, be specific about what you want to accomplish. Think about this as the mission statement for your purpose.
M – Measurable
What metrics are you going to use to determine if you meet the goal? Set some milestones by considering specific tasks to accomplish.
A – Achievable
This focuses on how important a goal is to you and what you can do to make it attainable. This may require developing new basketball mental game skills like basketball mental toughness, imagery, and changing your mindsets. The goal is meant to inspire and motivation.
R – Relevant
Relevance refers to focusing on something that is in line with what you are trying to accomplish. It is a smaller version of the broader basketball goals.
T – Time-Bound
Anyone can set goals, but if it lacks realistic timing, chances are you’re not going to succeed.
The Importance of Good Goal Setting
Setting goals at first feel slightly uncomfortable, but ultimately, it will motivate you to work hard.
Instead of focusing on how difficult the goals seemed, focus on your process in achieving those goals.
Shooting free throws, working on ball handling drills can get repetitive every day unless you are challenging yourself to think differently and look for opportunities to improve and fostering the discipline to stay focused.
These little bits of progress every day add up to something big.
Progress is never the result of a single action—it’s a million little things that come together to change your life and the lives of those around you.
Constantly remind yourself that consistency is critical and you’re closer now to achieving your goals than you’ve ever been before.
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