Week 3 - Goal setting

The third week of the PST programme will focus on the second technique to increase motivation; goal setting. I chose goal setting as a technique to improve the client's motivation as it is also free to do, and it will allow the client to go into a game situation knowing the goals we have set together. Once I have educated and the client has acquired these techniques, they will then be able to put them into practice by themselves without assistance from me the sports psychologist. 

The goals the client sets need to be SMART. Specific goals should be set to show what needs to be done. Measurable goals will allow the client to see what improvements need to be made. Goals need to be attainable as this will maintain motivation levels. Relevant goals are key as irrelevant goals could demotivate the client; and goals must also have a time scale.

This week the client will also gain the knowledge on the length and the type of goals that they should set. 

Types of goals include:

• Outcome - focus on the end result e.g. winning a football match
• Performance - compare with previous performances to improve on future performances e.g. shooting accuracy percentage could be improved
• Process - concentration on processes, techniques and practice on what needs to be done successfully e.g. breaking down a free-kick technique

Length of goals include:

• Dream goals - usually between 6 months and several years e.g. winning the league the client competes in next season
• Intermediate goals - usually a couple of months and are normally steps to where the athlete wants to be at to achieve their long term goal e.g. a certain amount of wins half way through the season
• Short-term goals - set to motivate athletes through everyday situations in order to achieve their intermediate or long term goals e.g. focusing on winning the next match

During this phase, I asked them to set an outcome goal or a long term goal they would like to achieve. Their response was "to win the league next season". This is an outcome goal as it only focuses on the end result of the season and focuses on winning the league. It is a long term goal as the season doesn't end until May and they have set this goal in September. From previous education, the client has improved this goal to make it 'SMART'. "I would like to win the Leicester and District Men's Premier Division by the start of May next season". This goal is specific to the client's sport, it can be measured by failure or success, it is achievable as their team came 3rd last season and it has a time scale as the client has stated next season.