007 | SETTING GOALS

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE.

If you aren’t working towards something, how do you know your trajectory is properly calibrated? We often get so caught up in day-to-day life that we forget to check and see if we are still moving forward. Nowadays if you are stagnant, for even a day, you are moving backward. With that being said, goals don’t always have to be the finish line. They can be used as checkpoints or fueling stations on your road to whatever you want to accomplish. No matter how big or small, it’s a way for you to give yourself a pat on the back or a kick in the rear.

When I was fourteen I was lucky enough to attend an ID Camp at Wake Forest University. One of the players on the team told my group of campers something that helped him get to where he was. He put his goals on three pieces of paper. He kept a copy under his pillow, a copy on his ceiling, and one on him at all times. Whenever he inched closer to the goal, he would mark it down. Lastly, when he accomplished it he would cross it off with the date next to it. On his list, he had goals ranging from daily to yearly. He mentioned that having some you can cross off often helps encourage you to keep going as you work towards the long-term goals. His were simple; workout/train once a day, have double-digit goals/assists that season, get all A’s and sign to a college that can help him grow as a player.

This was something that I began to do immediately upon returning to Texas. I followed his method, but as I got older I just kept it in the notes app on my iPhone. I found this extremely beneficial because every night before bed and every morning before I started my day, I knew what needed to be done. I was able to reflect on what I could’ve done better and planned my day to help stay the course. This way of keeping a checklist helped keep me motivated even when things weren’t going according to plan. Remember, a flat tire won’t ruin a trip if you know how to put the spare on. Goals and dreams work the same way.

I encourage everyone to give this a try for a couple of weeks and see if it works for them. No matter where you are at in life you can always become a better person. Goals are beautiful, they are something unique to you that no one else needs to know about. There is no extra added pressure from your peers, just a road map that you can use to reach your destination.