Mental Training
Mental Training is most probably the
most important aspect that needs to be addressed
before any level of performance can be obtained.
Goal
Setting Program
The only way
that things really get done is by taking action to do
them. Of course, thinking about dong things is
the first step and writing down your goals makes you
think about them even more and it does make them more
real to you. But this is all still just in the
thinking stage of things. Thinking, action and
then manifestation is the way it becomes a
reality. So now that you have these goals
written out and you know them better it’s time
to take a closer look and understand what it will
cost you if you don’t reach these goals or the
rewards of reaching them and how. How are you
going to reach them? What exactly are you going
to have to do and not do in order to reach your
goals? We are basically motivated by two things:
pain and pleasure. And really we would do more
to avoid pain then what we would to obtain
pleasure.
In order to
achieve these goals you need to:
- Write
out what it will cost you if you don’t
apply yourself to reaching your goals in each
of the three goal categories.
- Next,
write out all of the benefits of applying
yourself and reaching your goals in each of
the three goal categories
- And
finally, write out your plan as to how,~ how
are you going to reach the goals in the three
goal categories? What are you gong to
have to do and not do in order to reach these
goals? You don’t have to write out
these thee steps for each individual goal in
each category. Just write out your plan
as to how you are going to reach these goals
in the three goal categories (everyday, short
term and long term goals.)
Following
are some examples from the three goal categories,
everyday goals, short-term goals and long-term goals.
Everyday
goals:
- Get
as much quality practice time in on the bike
as possible (at least three days a week)
- Stay
on a regular exercise program.
- Eat
and drink a healthy diet everyday.
- Stay
ahead of bike repairs with a good maintenance
schedule.
- Get
to bed early and get plenty of sleep on a
regular bases.
- Keep
a to do list and stay organized, get
priorities done on time, every time.
Advantages:
I will be
feeling the positive effects of making
progress. I’ll be riding a lot faster,
faster and with more control. Riding will be
more fun and I’ll be getting better
results. I’ll have better equipment and my
bikes will be much faster and handle much
better. I will have a lot more energy and feel
better about myself and my racing
career. I’ll have more confidence in
myself.
Disadvantage:
If I
don’t do my everyday goals, I won’t develop
the skill to race well. I won’t be good
enough shape and I’ll tire out in my races and
not place well. If I don’t re ach my
everyday goals I will be unorganized and I’ll
waste a lot of time and energy just trying to find
thing, my bike will soon become junk and I’ll
start having mechanical problems with it. I will
forget about important things and not get them
done. My bike will be slow and handle poorly
which will make it even more difficult to do
well. If I’m out of shape and have a pile
for a bike, besides not doing well in races; I might
even crash and have a major set back with an injury.
Short Term
Goals
A. Learn all
the proper riding techniques
B. Being able
to ride a 20 minute moto as fast as possible without
getting tired
C. Getting my
suspension set up better on my bike.
D. Placing in
the top 3 in my next race.
E. Placing
in the top 5 in my next series.
Advantages:
Now many of
the positive things will start to
multiply. I’ll be riding and racing better
and better and my results will keep
climbing. I’ll be able to jump the doubles
and triples and most all of the obstacles on the
track. I’ll have more fun riding because
I’ll be riding much better and notice my
improvements. Factories and after market
companies will begin to notice me and start giving me
some help. I’ll be able to spend more time
on things that I really ant to do instead of things
that I don’t like to do.
Disadvantages:
If I
don’t reach my short-term goals, I’ll still
be in the same place that I’m in now. I
won’t be making much, if any progress and things
will keep getting more difficult instead of
better. I wont even be able to ride very long
without getting tired and my bike will still be a
pile, if not even worse. My results will still
suck and won’t be getting any closer to a good
sponsorship. Man oh man, I still won’t even
have a decent sponsor.
Long Term
Goals:
- To
perfect all the proper riding techniques and
be able to execute them perfectly and
automatically.
- Being
able to do a 40-minute moto on a very rough
track as fast as possible without getting
tired.
- Winning
all my races and all the series I enter
- Getting
a factory ride, winning a national
championship
- Becoming
the best motocross rider ever.
Advantages:
When I reach
my long-term goals I will be at the top of the
sport. I’ll be in excellent shape and never
get tired riding motos and racing. I’ll be
getting paid big bucks to race. All I’ll
have to do is practice and race. I’ll have
the best equipment and have an excellent
mechanic. I’ll get to race against the best
riders on the best tracks all over the country.
I’ll be
able to afford the things I need and I won’t
have to worry about money. I’ll be living
the dream.
Disadvantage:
If I
don’t reach my long-term goals I will one day be
stricken with the fact that time is running out for
me. I will not have made the necessary
accomplishments that I should have made and my
chances at racing for a living or just being a really
good rider will be about over. I will be realizing
that I’ve been wasting valuable time and that
I’m just not going to make it. Now I will
be facing a regular job that I have to do to
survive. I better not let this happen.
Now
we’re getting a clearer picture on
things. You now need to write out how you
are going to accomplish these three goal
categories. What do you have to do and not do in
order to reach your every day short term and long
term goals.
Example: Every Day
Goals
In order to
reach my every day goals I’m going to have to
stay focused and not get side tracked. I’m
going to have to set my priorities and work at them
everyday. Make sure I plan ahead to have someone
to ride with and a good track to practice
on. Don’t make any plans that don’t
pertain to practice and training. Make friends
with people who are going to inspire me to success or
at least are not going to hold me back or influence
me in the wrong direction. Make sure I get to
bed early and eat a nutritious diet in order to have
a lot of energy for practice, racing, and
training. Make the decision and commitment to
follow through no matter what, and do what I should
do in order to stay focused and carry out my everyday
goals. Use my will power and just do
it. Remind myself of the great opportunity that
I have and don’t let it slip away. Stay
prepared.
Example: Short Term Goals
In order for
me to reach my short-term goals I’m going to
have to consistently carry out my everyday
goals. I’m going to have to get in a lot
better shape. I’m going to stick to my game
plan and always practice with a purpose in
mind. I’m going to have to know what
I’m out there on the track to do, to know what
techniques to work on and how to work on
them. I’m going to be aware on how my bike
is handling and keep learning how to make it
better. I’ll make the right contacts with
the people who can test with me and keep my bike up
to speed. I’ll truly get fast so I can get
the results I need in order to keep moving up to the
next level and so on. I’ll give up my
normal person’s lifestyle and live the lifestyle
of a professional athlete.
Example:
Long Term Goals
I will have
to carry out and reach my every day and short-term
goals in order to reach my long-term goals. I
will prioritize and always put my racing, practice
and training first. I will use the majority of
my time and energy to make me a better rider and
racer. I will not make plans or get side tracked with
things that don’t take me towards my
goals. I will always do whatever it takes in
order to reach my goals whether I feel like it or
not. I will be aware of and work on my attitude
every day. I will maintain a positive outlook
and remain an optimist in everything I do. I
will stay prepared, I will succeed and I will love
the process.
After you
read these examples get to work on yours, come on,
it’s not that difficult, just do it. I did
the examples for you now all you have to do is think
about and write out yours. You don’t have
to do it all at one time, work at it for a while than
take a break and come back to it and so on until you
have done it.
Remember, the
first thing you have to control is your mind, your
thinking, feelings and emotions, your
attitude. This is something not unlike physical
exercise; it has to be worked on everyday. Train
the mind and the rest will follow. These
exercises in goal setting are a great way to start
and/or keep it going. Don’t think of
excuses and reasons why you don’t have to do
this, or why you can’t do it. Think of how
you can do it and just do it. Knowing where you
want to go and how to get there makes it a lot easier
and greatly increases your odds of getting
there. The positive mind sees the invisible,
feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.
Remember to
remain flexible and adjust your goals as time passes
on and you gain experience. This is another
reason you have to remind yourself of your goals on a
consistent bases. When a jet liner leaves New
York for Los Angeles they have a goal in mind, to
reach L.A.and land safely. They have a plan and
know how they are going to get there. They may
have to make two stops in order to refuel and so
on. Along the way they have to constantly adjust
their course because of turbulence, the jet streams
and other factors. Likewise are your goals and
dreams. Understand what you are challenging
yourself to do and how you’re going to make it
happen. Motivate yourself by knowing what the
consequences are for failing and what the rewards are
for succeeding.
Success
doesn’t just all of a sudden happen; there are
many many steps along the way. The biggest wall
in the world was built with one brick
first.To Succeed You Must Set Goals
