Blueprint of a Champion An Interactive Journey Through Goal Setting for Student Athletes Goal Setting For Student Athletes Copyright by Complete Athlete Inc, 2008 First Edition Authors: Neil Mason and G Bruce Powers Publisher: Complete Athlete Inc.

Without a Map – YOU ARE LOST!

What is a Map? A map is a compass. It lets you know what the best direction is for getting to your destination. By creating your map, you are determining the most direct route to get where you are trying to go. Without a map, you are lost.

Without a Destination There is no purpose!!! Success in life and sports is very predictable. When did it become cool to stop working hard? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Every failure is an opportunity to teach and to learn.

Competing and Achieving are bound together in many ways! Time is limited. It is a finite amount. What are you doing with your time? Organization and time management skills are key. A direct route to your goal is easier than one that has curves and unexpected climbs. Use the time you are given wisely.

DESIRE Desire is key. It must be strong. It keeps our vision strong. It helps keep away distractions. It helps keep us on a straight path.

Goals Goals are key in life and sports. They serve as a directional heading. They are your compass. They are your roadmap. Goals are a dream, a vision, and a desire for what can be.

Accomplishments Accomplishments are important each step of the way! They are rewards and they bring about pride from effort. They drive the desire. They keep you going.

What you Believe – You Will Become!

Keep a positive mindset! Visualize yourself reaching your goal. Develop a self confidence. Know in your heart and mind that you can achieve your goal. Visualize success. See yourself in a positive light reaching for your destination. See yourself with perfect skills. Reinforcement with positive self talk.

Setting Goals! Set Goals that are measurable. They should be challenging. Time lines are important. Display your goals. Set an action plan. Acknowledge accomplishments. Use stair stepped goals Set short, mid-term and long-term goals.

Develop a Blueprint A set of plans to build something is referred to as a Blueprint. A blueprint starts with an analysis – a self analysis. You will assess your skill level, your strengths, your weaknesses, and plot a plan of improvement and eventual attainment of your goals. You need a blueprint – a plan – to be successful. It will be your guide and your map.

Visualize Your mission must be defined. You must have a detailed vision. You should dream about what you want to achieve. Visualize what you would be doing. See it as you would see a movie. Hear the sounds. Notice the details.

7 Steps to Make Your Goal a Reality Fix in your mind exactly what you want. Determine what you plan to sacrifice. Put a timeline on your goals. Create a definite plan of attach for reaching them. Write out a clear, concise statement of what you would like and when. Write down your sacrifices. Find a mentor and talk to them. Place your written goals in places where you will see it. Read it aloud multiple times. Dream it.

Goal Setting Defined Goals are specific things that you work towards. They are not merely wishes or dreams. They provide direction. They must be acted upon. Goal setting has been been proven to improve athlete’s performances. Goals provide guidance. They provide a reason to persevere. Goals give you markers and standards to achieve.

Character is Required When Pursuing Your Goal Respect of mutual and coincidental goals of teammates must be considered. Character is required to stay determined when times are tough. Persistence is required to follow through. You must do more than what is required. Don’t take the easy way out. Compete to the fullest extent possible. Use all the energy and resources available. Follow the plan established. Uphold the value of the goal.

Some Key Factors of Goals Goals are what you commit to and accomplish to help reach your vision. Your vision is your picture or image of your desired future. Values are how you intend to operate on a daily basis. This is your behavior. Your mission is what you do to make sure your vision happens.

The Goal Setting Process There must be an awareness of current skill level. Determine a challenging and realistic improvement. Write the goal and set the time frame. Determine how you will measure. Break each goal into steps. Write down activities for each step. Make visual reminders. Mark off steps on to do list or calendar when you complete a task.

Your Action Plan The action plan is the most important part of the goal setting process. It is the driving force behind any achievement. Without an action plan there is no direction. Should be compared to a map. It will help you find your way when you are lost. It identifies what you need to do and when it must be done by.

Self Confidence Experience builds your self confidence. It’s mostly based on self expectations. When you get better, you know you can react in different situations. Eventually you will be ahead of the learning curve. It takes time. “Self confident athletes see hope in their personal efforts to achieve their goals.” It’s important to continually develop self confidence.

The correct view of “failure” The Perception of “Failure” “Failure” is a part of success. You cannot get to the next level without making mistakes. It’s an opportunity to get better. All athletes fail at a skill before they perfect it. How many times have you failed today? Turn it into a motivator.

Choose Role Models You need role models to help you see how things should be done. Approximate what you watch your role model do. Watch how that person handles difficult situations, how they react, and how they solve problems. Find roll models for all aspects of your life. It could be a teacher, an older student, a parent, an athlete, a college student or professor, a brother, a sister, anyone to whom you look up.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize Revisit the principles. Character is required. Discipline is required. Persistence is required. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Remind yourself that you are getting better.

Acknowledge Those Who Help You Your Coaches Your Parents Your mentors Your teachers Your trainers Anyone who provides love, encouragement, assistance in any form, guidance, and nourishment. Take the time to say “Thank you.”

Believe in Your Success Succeed and Achieve in EVERY aspect of your life. Success comes to those who become success conscious. Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious. Believe in the possibilities. Keep motivated and keep improving. You CAN and WILL do it!

Be a Champion! Become a champion NOW. Think like a champion NOW Become a champion in your mind NOW. Champions act like champions ALL THE TIME. Show humility in victory, thankfulness for help, work tirelessly, toil in obscurity, persist, stay determined, find meaning in success. Allow your Blueprint of a Champion to bring out the Champion in you.

Meet Other Champions Visit our new “Blueprint of a Champion: Your Interactive Journey” website at www.blueprintofachampion.com and read about those that have gone before you and how they achieved greatness and handled life’s obstacles. Their stories will inspire you, motivate you, and challenge you to live up to your potential.