Kevin delves into topics such as types of goals, how goals influence athletes, guidelines for goals, goal setting procedures for both athletes and coaches as well as the power of goals.
Below however, is a shortened version of his chapter on "Ten Common Goal Setting Errors" which I thought was well-written.
1. Goals that are too easy
Effective goals are challenging but obtainable. It is the challenge that motivates and directs. Goals that are too easy to obtain neither challenge or inspire, make the goal ineffective.
2. Too broad and general
Providing focus, clarity and direction are key reasons to set goals. Broad, general goals do not provide needed focus, clarity or direction in order to provide necessary motivation and guidance to achieve the desired outcome.
3. Setting unrealistic expectations or outcomes as goals
Unrealistic goals lead to frustration and failure. Not every athlete can become a professional athlete or play intercollegiate athletics. Every athlete and team can improve and be more successful.
4. Not directly applicable to the task
For a goal to be effective, it must be directly related to the task, skill or desired outcome. Setting the goal of becoming a master portrait painter is a worthy goal, but it will not improve free throw shooting or shave tenths of a second off a 100-meter sprint.
5. Developing an incoherent plan
A clearly defined set of goals designed with a progression of intermediate goals using a good mix of performance based goals complete with deadlines, flexibility and a means to evaluate as the plan is worked helps tremendously in achieving the desired outcome.
6. Goals set by an outside — not the participant
Nothing can kill the value of goals as quickly as a sense of lack of control on the part of the individual responsible for carrying out the tasks required to achieve goals.
7. Inflexible goals
What happens when a team loses the first game in league play and the team goal was to post and undefeated record in league play? The very nature of the goal limits the chance for success due to the inflexible nature of the goal.
8. Outcome goals used when performance goals were more appropriate
It is entirely possible to have a great performance and still not prevail in an athletic competition. Using two types of goals allow teams and individuals to have success even if the desired outcome, victory in the contest, is not achieved.
9. No written plan
Putting things in writing establishes clarity and makes the concepts real. Written goals also make it less likely the goals will be modified on a whim when the goals become too challenging or a distraction.
10. No method of evaluation or follow-up
All goals requiring significant effort, time and commitment and are worth achieving need to be evaluated and followed up once the plan has been completed.
You can purchase this book at: http://amzn.to/kGQbCz
Also check out Kevin's website/blog: http://kcsbasketball.com/
