“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” Michael Jordan

Developing a strong mental game in basketball involves establishing goals on your road to success.

Understanding what you want to accomplish is the first step, then it is imperative to establish process goals along the way.

Sport psychology for basketball plays a critical role for the athlete in reaching both individual and team goals.

An athlete must get a clear vision of what they want to achieve and then set the ultimate goal. This could be playing on the professional level or being the best player on your current level.

After establishing the ultimate goal, it is important to break it down into process goals. Continue to break down each goal into smaller, more attainable goals to keep you in action and moving toward the ultimate goal.

Basketball psychology states the athlete must see achievement along the way to maintain interest, excitement, and a positive mindset.

The short-term goals (process goals) must be challenging. It should stretch you and not stress you. The goals must be out of your reach and attainable. If your goals are too hard and unrealistic for where you are right now, you will get overwhelmed, bored, lose interest, then quit.

Determining your long-term goals, breaking them down into process goals, and allowing time for reflections and adjustments will set you up for success. This is not a short process to complete and then forget. The practice of goal setting is ongoing. When you reach one goal, set another goal, and keep setting process goals until you reach the ultimate goal.

Goal setting is a powerful tool to the success of achievement.

Another way to reach your goal sooner, quicker and faster is to seek the advice of others, such as trainers and coaches when determining if your goal is realistic.

Your confidence grows with each goal attained. Achieving goals also strengthens your mind and motivates you to accomplish even more.

Achieving goals shows more significant results for athletes who set attainable goals and work towards them consistently. Using a realistic timeline is also an essential component of the goal-setting process. You may have an achievable goal, but do not allow yourself enough time to reach it, therefore, be mindful of both. If you do not reach your goal by the original timeline, it is ok to extend the timeline.

Growth does not occur overnight. It is accomplished from consistent and deliberate work.

When your mind and effort are focused on your goals, energy will flow there. This allows for more extraordinary results.

The practice of goal setting gives you a concentrated effort at improvement, which will enhance your performance and elevate your game.

Lou Holtz stated, “If you’re bored with life—you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things—you don’t have enough goals.”

For more information on goal setting, visit www.dcmentaltrainingu.com