Bella Nottnagel, March –
We all set goals. Whether it’s to win that competition or to shoot a certain score, goals are all around us. But most of the time, we’re actually missing a major part of goal setting. It’s important to dream big and to push yourself, so today I’m gonna be walking you through how to set smart goals that stick and how to achieve them.
To set goals that stick, first, we gotta understand why we need smart goals. You may want to win a tournament, but why? To set important goals that last, you have to find a personal reason why. This is really important because if you aren’t personally motivated, you won’t work as hard as you would if you did have a personal reason. You have to have a passion and a motivation for your goal. So, why do you want it?
When you set goals, you should integrate them into your identity. In James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, he explains that to achieve your goals and cultivate successful habits, you must embrace them as part of who you are. Who is the person you aspire to become? For instance, the goal isn’t merely to shoot a 300; the goal is to become a dedicated archer.
You might wonder what defines a dedicated archer. If you examine the life of an Olympic archer, you’ll find that archery is a daily practice and a way of life. They live and breathe archery. You can incorporate this into your own life by establishing systems or habits that help you become the person you wish to be.
Next, break down your long-term goal into smaller, achievable steps. Focus on perfecting these steps one at a time to get closer to your goal. Whether it be to shoot five arrows a day or to practice your form with your string bow for five minutes daily, make a place for archery in your everyday life.
I have also found it helpful to set a specific deadline for my goals. If you set a goal with a system and a plan and then add a deadline, your brain will instantly make it a priority. This will push you to focus more on your goal, making the process much faster. Although don’t make the deadline too soon, if you can, extend it a little bit further than you think it would take you so you have plenty of time. I found this extra bit to be very helpful as it tricks your brain into feeling more satisfied at the end.
Now that you have all the tools for setting successful goals, use them and let me know how it went! As long as you stay committed and keep working hard, you’ll not only reach your goals but also grow along the way, which will transform your skills and your mindset. So good luck!
