Goals (When they are utilized)

“The time to prepare isn't after you have been given the opportunity. It's long before that opportunity arises. Once opportunity arrives, it's too late to prepare.” -John Wooden

One of messages to my swimmers is that you need to be goal oriented, and I hand out a sheet that has a goal setting process. I know many people do this, as the sport of swimming consists of so much goal setting. I do talk to my swimmers about when the thoughts about the goals should be, and not be.

I believe how much goals are a great way for us to progress, sometimes they can become burdensome and be quite stressful. So, one thing that I try to get across to the swimmers. Let the goal come into thought at that practice that all you want to do is slow down for a second and miss that interval for rest, or that descend set that you decide it can be a lot easier if you start off super slow, and make it easier to descend. Those times when you need that little extra motivation at practice allow the goals to help push you to give your all.

Do not be walking around the swim meet with your sheet of goals. Don't stress about the goals at the meet, but believe that you have prepared well at practice to have given yourself a chance to accomplish those goals. For senior swimmers, maybe the meet is in season and that you aren't going to accomplish a goal at that meet, but being able to be disciplined and put forth the effort needed is the preparation for the rest or taper meet that will be at the end of the season.

I feel like this is important for athletes to know as much as the goal setting process is important to know about. They're young people and shouldn't have the stress of the goals at the time that they are trying to perform at their best. Trust that you have worked hard enough and have stayed disciplined at practice to be ready to perform.