This is strategy week. As you know, strategies are just plans. But before you need plans, you need to set goals. And, the goals we set need to be S.M.A.R.T. They need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based.
‘I want to be a better golfer’ is a goal, but it is not specific. I want to be able to hit the 50 yard sign is specific, but it is not measurable. When, how many times? These are measurements.
‘I want to be able to hit the 50 yard sign in one shot’ is specific and measurable, but is it attainable? Is it realistic? The goal of hitting the 50 yard sign one time each day is specific, measurable and attainable, but is it relevant?
For some golfers, this would be a very relevant goal. But for someone like Tiger Woods, hitting the 50 yard sign one time in a day would be so easy that it would have no value. It would not help him improve. Relevant goals line up with your long-term objectives. They also do not distract you from other more important goals. They are relevant to your progress.
The last step in setting S.M.A.R.T. goals is a time target. Reaching any goal is much more likely if you give yourself a deadline.
So, ‘I want to be able to hit the 50 yard sign at least one time per day by the end of the school year’ is a S.M.A.R.T. goal. As you improve, increase the number of times you have to hit the sign each day.
Golf is never finished.
Change. Think. Golf.
