News - 11/08/2002
By Club Psychologist
The season is about to start and now is the time to set some goals...
Dr. Saul Miller wrote a book called The Complete Player : The Psychology of Winning Hockey.
In it he described the start of a new season as a time to set your season's targets. Your goals are a force you can use to energize your work habits, colour your self-talk and imagery, and stimulate your attitude.
Enough psycho-babble for now...
For best results, the goals you set should be a challenge. They should not be easily attained. So, sit down and think about:
Why do you play hockey?
What is your long-term goal within the sport?
What are your personal and team goals for the forth-coming season?
Maybe you want to score 10 goals or more. Maybe you want to reach a cup final. Maybe recognition at Ulster Junior level is what you are after. Maybe you just want to be as positive as you can possibly be, week-in week-out. Maybe you want to be recognised as a future captain. Maybe the Club Awards at the end of the season get you going.
Whatever it is... make sure you have a goal as it will help channel your energies.
If you are clear that your goal is to be the best you can be, then it's helpful to define a purpose or goal for each workout... and every competition. Make it something specific (and if possible, measurable) that way you can assess and acknowledge your improvement.
Talk with your team-mates... discuss the team goal as a team. Make sure you are all on the same wave-length, pulling in the same direction.
Goals are a driving force. They are a way of putting desire to work. To make your goal a reality, get in touch with what you want to do and write it down. Read it, say it, repeat it to yourself. Define the work you will have to do to realize your goal. Then start to work, one day at a time... and persevere to make it happen. Work smart, work hard, enjoy the challenge, and succeed.
You can pick up Saul Miller's book at Amazon US site... note, the UK site does not, unfortunately, stock this book.
|
