Dreams & Goals

At Ready, Set, Gold! we are firm believers that if you want to achieve great things, you need to set goals.

Goals are a great way to determine a clear direction of where you want to go in life and can help you figure out what you want to achieve.

All of our Ready, Set, Gold! athletes have set goals specific to their sport but they also set goals in other areas of their lives. This helps them to dream big and be champions both in sport and in life.

During the month of January, Paralympian Cody Jones and Olympians John Moffet and Roberta Belle worked with their students to reach their targeted goal of 15 pushups and 15 sit-ups. After hitting this goal, these world class athletes talked to their students and gave them general tips on ways for them to accomplish their dreams and reach their goals.

1. Don't be afraid to dream big. Many people do not truly realize what they are capable of so they dream small or not at all. One of the biggest lessons is to remember that anything is truly possible.

2. Dream big but plan small. While it is important to dream big, it can seem overwhelming when we set huge goals without a plan. When we don't know how to get there, the result is often that nothing gets done at all. Be sure to break down big goals into smaller ones and then tackle them individually. When a big goal is broken down into achievable phases, it feels more manageable and can help you tackle each step along the way.

3. Track your progress. If you are not where you want to be, that's okay. Sometimes things aren’t as easy as we expect and we just need a little more time and hard work to get ahead.

4. Have a strong support system.  It is important to surround yourself with people who are like-minded and supportive. Don't try and do it all alone. Be sure to ask for support from your family and friends as it's always better to have as many positive influences as possible when you are working toward your goals.  

5. Get Motivated.  Motivation doesn't always come easy and doesn't always stick around. Be sure to write down your ‘why’ and practive visualizing how you will feel once you reach your goal.

6. Take action. Just wanting something is not enough. Reaching your goals is no one else’s responsibility but your own. Remember that taking small steps consistently over time will eventually lead you to your goals. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen, as long as you continue to  take action.

7. Failure is part of the journey.  If you have big dreams, you need to be prepared for some bumps along the way. Being knocked down is just part of the journey.  Every successful person has failed more than once in his or her life. The important thing is to keep going and keep getting back up. Learn from your mistakes and know they are simply part of the process.