Tip #1: Goal Setting

Intro

I chose goal setting as the first tip because this is the necessary first step in achieving a long-term objective. Setting goals is something we all do. For instance, one might say my goal is to win the World Shoot. Well, that is a great goal, but how do we set that goal effectively? Goals should be set realistically and incrementally. Review your goals with your accomplishments and change as necessary.

Example

1. Set a major goal that you want to achieve

Major goal: Win the World Shoot in 2005

2. List at least three sub-goals you need to achieve to reach your major goal

• Gain total confidence
• Shoot better points
• Enhance strong/weak hand shooting

3. List at least three goals you need to achieve to reach your sub-goals

A. Gain total confidence

• Win the majority of all major matches
• Concentrate on my own game plan
• Review training drills monthly to notice progress

B. Shoot better points

• Focus on only the center of the available target area
• Watch the sights rise and recover (call every shot)
• Have a friendly competition with someone during practice, a club match or at a major match (who can shoot the most A's)

C. Enhance strong/weak hand shooting

• Exercise correct muscles to reduce recoil in strong/weak hand shooting
• Shoot groups at 25 yards with strong/weak hand
• When training shoot all drills freestyle and strong/weak hand

4. List three affirmations for every sub-goal

• Affirmations are short phrases reminding you of what you need to do to reach your major goal
• When listing affirmations always be positive, never use the words never, don't , etc.
• For example, when you use the phrase "Don't think of a pink elephant," what did you just think of? Exactly, when I told you not to think of the pink elephant that was the first thing to pop up in your head.

When you're on the line getting ready to shoot here are 2 examples someone might think about:

Correct example: I only break the shot when the sights are in the center of the target
Incorrect example: Don't miss the target, don't miss the target, don't miss the target!

Other good examples:

• Gain total confidence

• I have total confidence
• I win the majority of all major matches
• During competition I stay on auto pilot to maintain my smoothness and accuracy

• Shoot better points

• I only break the shot when the sights are in the middle
• I only focus on the center of the available target area
• Every point counts, go get 'em

• Enhance strong/weak hand shooting

• I exercise the correct muscles to reduce recoil in my strong/weak hand shooting
• During training I shoot a course of all strong/weak hand
• I successfully shoot with one hand

Final affirmation:

     I am prepared and ready for the World Shoot in 2005!

Conclusion

As you can see setting goals is not easy if you do it correctly, but it is very effective. Remember to set realistic goals for yourself. My goals may be different from yours, but we all have to start somewhere. By setting goals, we establish fixed points on the path to our main objective, which enable us to better assess our overall progress as we attain each of those goals along the way.

Copyright © 2004 Max Michel, Jr. All rights reserved.