When setting your goals you need to be honest with yourself as to how much you want to achieve it? And thus what sacrifices might you need to make?

Goal setting is one of the keys to success, but ensuring the goals are appropriate also requires honesty about how committed you are to achieving them. Goals should challenge you, but they will also require commitment and a degree of sacrifice. At HP3 one of our team values is balance; balance between personal life - work - sport, and between mind - body - spirit.

For many of us, our commitment to sporting goals is seen as healthy. It shows we can invest our time and energy into achieving a particular success or personal development.

However our level of commitment can vary and we all sit on a commitment continuum. In order for you to achieve your best, you must be honest with where you sit on this continuum and thus are your goals appropriate for your commitment level? Where does sport fit into your life? Are there other areas in your life which require time and energy which can not (must not) be sacrificed?

Being honest with yourself now will help you set realistic goals, something which will challenge you but remain achievable whilst maintaining balance in your life.

Commitment continuum

Resistant

Some people simply resist being led, they don’t like being told what to do, they don’t want to be influenced by coaches or programs which are unfamiliar to them. If you are here, then being coached is not for you.

You don’t really put much thought into your goals. You’re not prepared to prioritise training over other aspects of life. Perhaps these goals are not right for you at this stage of life.

Reluctant

Some people are hesitant to buy into the training plan, often lacking the effort and enthusiasm. Perhaps driven by a fear of failure it prevents you from even starting. There is hope for you, but we need to work on building your trust.

You’ll need to revisit your goals, are they appropriate for where you are at in life right now? If there are other demands on your life where training needs to take a back seat then your goals may need adjusting accordingly.

Existent

Physically you’re there, you do the workouts and go through the motions, but your mind is not fully engaged. Perhaps doing the work set, but not really believing the goal is possible.

Your goals are maybe appropriate and achievable if all goes to plan. You’re prepared to make some minor sacrifices in terms of time spent working or socialising.

Compliant

You’re doing the workouts, you’re following the program, but perhaps lack the initiative to go above and beyond. You’re doing just enough to achieve the goal, but no more.

Your goals are appropriate and likely achievable if all goes to plan. You are prepared to make sacrifices to work and social life to maintain the consistent training routine. But at the same time you are maintaining a healthy balance in all aspect of life.

This is a good place to be most of the time.

Committed

You are willing to go the extra mile to achieve your goals. You are driven internally and do not need motivating from your coach or members of the team. You take the initiative over setting your goals and how you intend to achieve them. If you are here, you are likely to be very successful.

You may however start to struggle with social situations in terms of time availability for meeting friends for meals or going for a drink. You may need to sacrifice other hobbies or interests during the key build for an event.

This is a good place to be for the 2-3months in the build up to a key event.

Compelled

Some athletes take it a step further. No matter what obstacles, adversities or distractions might appear, you will find a way. You prepare, train and compete at the highest level. You consider everything; nutrition, recovery, technique, tactics, and use every available opportunity to become a better athlete. You have the utmost belief in yourself and your goals. You are unstoppable in your sport.

You may not have time for many, or any, social opportunities outside of training. You may need to sacrifice other hobbies or interests for a prolonged period of time as you prepare for your event.

This is where you want to be for the 6-9weeks before a key event.

Obsessed

There is a fine line between compelled and obsessed, but there is a distinct difference here. Obsessed people lose their sense of perspective and become consumed with achieving their goal at the expense of everything else. This is not the key to success as life requires balance.

You are likely sacrificing your social life and impacting on your working life too. You are missing out on fun times with family and friends. The time dedicated to training crowds out all other interests in life.

This is not a good place to be, ever.