“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 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 one 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 effective goals.

There are different ways to set goals, and the 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. This method is especially useful in assisting athletes in setting goals that align with their vision.

S.M.A.R.T. goals are a valuable 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 will you 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 achieve it. This may require developing new skills like basketball mental toughness, imagery, and changing your mindsets. The goal is meant to inspire and motivate you.

R – Relevant
Relevance refers to focusing on something 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 initially 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 and 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 foster 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 key, and you will get closer to achieving your goals.

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