Have a Plan

If you couldn't figure it out, I'm a TYPE A personality (aka Control Freak).  There are some negative consequences that result from this, but I like to think the positives out weigh them.  One of the positives is that I have a hard time not having a plan.  Often I have a plan B and C for most situations also.

I would encourage you to embrace your inner control-freak. 

HAVE A PLAN!

The great thing about planning things out is it helps to give you a clear set of steps to reach your goal.  And those steps give you confidence.  You might not be a state champ now, but you know what it takes to get there and you are following those steps.  That gives you confidence.

Start BIG and go from there.  Have a dream.  It doesn't necessarily need to be realistic.  It is a whole lot easier to be a state champ when you WANT to be an all-american.  Then set a long-term goal and dedicate yourself to it.  Make sure it is a realistic goal based on your talent but make it a BIG goal.  Do some research.  Tell your coaches and parents your goal and how bad you want it.  Ask them what it takes.  Find people who have done it (or at least got really close).  Ask them what it takes to get there too.

Now setup short term goals and tests.  To get where you need to be, what do you need to do in the next year?  The next three months?  This week?  Today?  Focus on the short term plans with all of your might.

How do you know if you are getting there?  What is your lifting goal over the next 3 months?  How many matches are you going to wrestle this spring?  How many matches are you going to win at team camp?  Spring Nationals?  Super 32?  How many miles are you going to run this summer?  Focus on your short term goals with all of your might.

Sometimes you will get discouraged because you haven't yet reached your BIG goal.  Stick to the plan.  Reach your short-term goals and make sure those goals are based on what the experts told you.  Do not give up if it doesn't come fast enough.  Important things take time.

The biggest hurdle you will face is yourself.  Are you going to CHOOSE to do what you need to do?  Or are you going to waste time on distractions that keep you from reaching your short-term goals?  I find most kids who do not reach their goals in wrestling can look back to the last 12 months and find some specific distractions that they could have CHOSEN not to do.

Quick Review:

• Write down your dream
• Write down your BIG long-term goal
• Ask experts what it takes to reach the BIG goal
• Set short-term goals that will lead you to the BIG goal
• Make plans that will help you reach your short-term goals
• Stick to the plan when you get discouraged
• Focus with all your might by removing distractions that won't help you