Did you know that 95% of all athletes have not clearly defined their goals? Defined are the essential qualities needed to achieve your goal. Focused and resolute intent on your goals directly affects your success. A well-defined goal connects you with your vision.

Developing your primary goal, your purpose, will set you up for success. Last week I spoke with Jarvis Green, defensive end for the Houston Texans. His success story, on and off the field, is impressive. His vision encompassed his career as an athlete, building a business to support him and his family once he retired from soccer, as well as developing a foundation to give back to the community.

His desire for success, sustaining a specific lifestyle for himself and his family, was a dominant thought in his consciousness. Consciously and subconsciously, Jarvis is constantly on the lookout for information and knowledge to help him achieve his purpose.

Jarvis’s focus on his athletic career is particularly poignant because I also spoke to several other professional athletes last week about the downfall they experienced once their athletic career ended. The lack of preparation, skills and vision profoundly impacted his life once he finished his sports career.

Consider where you are now. Take the time to develop clearly defined goals for yourself. Create the vision of your achievement. Craft a single definite purpose as your destination.

Now approach this as if you were building a house. You would never be allowed to build a house without a blueprint. It would lead to total chaos. The work would be messy without plans, without direction. The workers would get in each other’s way; construction materials would be scattered. Everyone would have a different vision of the final home, resulting in frustration, a more ineffective use of time, effort, and finances.

Why would you approach your performance goals differently? You need a blueprint for the layout, mapping out all the general details. Your trainer is similar to the general contractor, overseeing every step of the way. Then there are the specialists, the coaches, trainers and family members to support you in your unique area of ​​expertise.

Napoleon Hill of The Law of Success states: “If success depends on power, and if power is organized effort, and if the first step in the direction of organization is definite purpose, then one can easily see why. such a purpose is basic.”

Developing a clear direction is the obvious advantage to developing your vision, writing down your goals, and then creating the plan. Connecting with your purpose also has underlying hidden benefits.

Clarity, focus and direction.

Increased confidence as you take each step toward your goal

Ability to go beyond your fears, getting in the way of your success

Empowerment to choose actions that complement your vision

Develop partnerships and alliances to strategize for the next step toward your goal

The collaboration developed between your coach, your support team, and you creates an organized effort. This means you don’t have to do everything yourself. Others work alongside you toward your goal, contributing to the team effort. Each individual plays a key role in working with you toward your vision.

If they don’t believe in you or doubt your vision, then you don’t have the right people on your team. Negativity is cancerous and destroys your purpose. Those people are not fully committed to your vision. To fully realize your purpose you must break alliances with all negativity. Working toward your vision when people on your team doubt that your vision is possible creates a struggle. Your energy and focus must be 100% on your goal.

The winning teams in football, baseball, and basketball are the ones that best coordinate the efforts of their players. Teamwork is what wins. Take this principle you know so well and apply it to your personal vision.

Setting clear limits to protect your vision is one of the most difficult, but necessary things. It can be especially difficult when it comes to family members, coaches, or teammates. As you work towards your goal, you will encounter distractions that affect your progress. At such times, I encourage you to make a course correction to realign with your purpose.

Success rarely happens in a vacuum. Positive and motivating people help you overcome any physical limitations. Success is a team effort. Collaborate with the people ready to show you the way forward. Carefully consider who you want on your dream team, then start taking the steps to make it happen.

Be very clear about your vision, determine who is on your team, and then act with conviction.

Activity: Identify your vision and personal goal, being as detailed as possible. List some of the exact steps you will take to reach your goal. You won’t know all of them now, but this will create the basis for your plan. It can be readjusted as it progresses and new data is revealed. Finally, identify the action steps you are ready to take now.

Do you have a wish, but feel stuck like something is getting in your way? Your focus may be affecting your progress. The Inner Game System for Winning Athletes is a series of 9 important steps to help you pinpoint your vision, clear out distractions, and give you the tools to successfully reach your goal. Ready to take action? Schedule a FREE discovery session with Loren. Contact her at [email protected]