3 min read
Whilst the thought of New Year's resolutions and goal setting may sound overrated, defining what you want to achieve is an extremely powerful process that will help you stay motivated and grow as an athlete and as a person.
Goals will help you work harder, be more focused, and overcome setbacks. If you’re still not convinced that you need to set goals for the New Year, continue reading as we explain the importance of goal setting and how to create achievable goals:
Why should you set goals?
How to set achievable goals
Now that you know the importance of setting goals, it’s time to commit and set yourself a goal for 2018. One popular method of goal-setting is ensuring every goal you set is SMART. The example below sets out how to create SMART goals:
Anthony, a keen cyclist who currently rides 25 miles 2-3 times per week has set the following goal “I want to ride 100 miles.”
Let’s check how Anthony’s goal measures up against the SMART scale:
S - is it specific? No, it doesn’t mention when, where or how he is planning to ride 100 miles.
M - is it measurable? Yes, it states 100 miles which is measurable and proof of whether he achieved the goal or not.
A - is it agreed? Anthony has agreed to this goal, but has he gained buy-in from other people related to his goal? This might include his coach, family, spouse or social group. Telling people about your goals will help you stick to them.
R - is it realistic? Given that Anthony is already a regular cyclist, this goal seems achievable with hard work. Whether a goal is realistic for you will depend on your starting point and how fit you are.
T - is it time appropriate? Anthony has not created a timely goal as he hasn’t stated when he’s likely to ride his 100 miles. Setting a specific timeframe to achieve your goal is key. Use it as an anchor to track back and assess the time you’ll have to prepare.
We’ve found that Anthony’s original goal falls short on a few areas, so let’s recreate it using the SMART method:
“I want to ride 100 miles in under 6 hours at the Great Notts Bike Ride on 26th June 2018.”
Using the SMART method has transformed Anthony’s goal into one which holds him accountable, and motivates him to put steps in place to achieve it.
Take the first steps to achieving your goal with one of our dedicated training plans.
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