Goal setting

Question 1

How can goal setting affect our performance?

Answer 1

• By directing a performers attention on what needs to be improved/ achieved
• By regulating the amount of effort that is put into a given task
• Ensuring effort is sustained until the goal is reached
• By motivating people to develop a variety of strategies to reach their goals

Question 2

What is SMART goal setting?

Answer 2

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Recorded
• Time phased

Question 3

Why does goal setting have to be specific?

Answer 3

Goals must be clear and relevant to the performer and their needs

Question 4

Why does goal setting have to be measurable?

Answer 4

• Goals must be measured by assessing your progress
• The more specific the goal, the more measurable it’s likely to be
• Knowing how well you are doing can be motivating and ensures that you remain realistic about future performances

Question 5

Why does goal setting have to be achievable?

Answer 5

• Goals that are set by player and coach are more likely to be achieved as they have a shared vision
• Goals must be within the reach of the performer so that motivation remains high

Question 6

Why does goal setting have to be recorded?

Answer 6

Goals that have been agreed should be recorded so that progress can be monitored
As goals are achieved, they can be croosed off, thus motivating the performer to press on towards the next goal

Question 7

Why does goal setting have to be time phased?

Answer 7

Goals should be split into short-term goals leading to long-term goals
This step-by-step approach over a period of time ensures that goals remain realistic and achievable

Question 8

What are the three types of goals?

Answer 8

• Outcome goals
• Performance goals
• process goals

Question 9

What is outcome goals?

Answer 9

Goals that are targeted directly towards an end result of the activity
E.g. to win a netball match

Question 10

What is performance goals?

Answer 10

Goals that are directed towards the individual’s end performance
E.g. cricketer to improve the batting average

Question 11

What is process goals?

Answer 11

Goals that are used to improve a skill and are often related to technique
E.g. improving a cricketer’s batting technique

Question 12

What are the benefits of goal setting?

Answer 12

• Persistance - If achieved, it is very effective
• Attention - only focus on parts of performance that are relevant to your goals
• Confidence - helps raise sport confidence and self-confidende levels
• Monitor performance - helps a performer focus on their target and ensure they are on track
• Arousal/ anxiety - process and performance goals/ controlled using short-term

Question 13

What are factors that affect goal setting?

Answer 13

• Long/ short term goals
• Shared decision making
• Goal difficulty
• Goal specificity

Question 14

How does long/ short term goals affect goal setting?

Answer 14

• Short-term goals provide a greater opportunity for success, which can reinforce positive feelings, and in turn help to control anxiety levels
• Long term goals are often achieved through achieving lots of smaller short term goals

Question 15

How does shared decision making affect goal setting

Answer 15

Goals that are set through negotiation and agreement are far more effective than externally set goals

Goals agreed together are more likely to:
* Provide more motivation
* be fairer
* Be realistic
* Give a sense of ownership

Question 16

How does goal difficulties affect goal setting

Answer 16

• Better performance comes about from setting more difficult goals
• Goals set ‘just’ beyond reach produce better performance than those easily achieved
• Motivation is lost if goals are too easily achievable
• Goals must be challenging, but within reach

Question 17

How does goal specificity affect goal setting

Answer 17

• The more specific the goal, the better the performance
• Simply saying ‘do your best’ is not good enough
• Evaluation of goals is also difficult if the goals have not been clearly defines
• Sports involving objective measurements, such as time, are easier to make specific, but it is possible to set specific goals in most activities