Golden Rules of Goal Setting

I've grappled with the concept of S.M.A.R.T. goals, despite being a frequent teacher of it, as it often felt inadequate. The idea of a goal being both "reaching" and "attainable" seemed paradoxical. However, a few years ago, I stumbled upon a transformative solution. I began by crafting a S.M.A.R.T. goal—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Then I added a second, much bigger, long-term goal.

I call the bigger goal a BHAGs! BHAG stands for Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. These goals make S.M.A.R.T. goals appear like amateur play. Our BHAG at Practice Pro is to guide 8 pitchers (one on each team) to the D1 Women’s College World Series by 2035. This concept, derived from "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" by James Collins and Jerry Porras, highlights how long-term goals can redefine a business's (or team’s in our case) essence.

The secret to success lies in engraving both goals everywhere—on your goal sheet, locker, computer background—and witnessing the magic unfold. In 2020, I surpassed my S.M.A.R.T. goals, making the BHAG feel within reach.

At Practice Pro, we excel in helping you navigate the intricacies of this process. Ever wondered why we urge you to document your practice days and share your progress in class? Dr. Gail Matthews of Dominican University conducted a study in 2015, revealing that those who

1) create,
2) write down, and
3) publicly share their goals weekly

are more likely to achieve them. The trio of accountability, written documentation, and public commitment is way to accomplish your goals.

That's precisely why we provide you with binders and encourage you to report your weekly practice sessions and pitching school progress. 76% of those who followed these steps achieved their goals by the study's end, compared to just 43% who merely contemplated their goals. Note this study excluded individuals who didn’t set goals and accidentally accomplish things.

The moral of the story is to not only think outside the box, it’s also to live outside your own box of limitations. No one has to do goal-setting in one specific way just like you don’t have to train in one specific way. You just need to do what works. If you don’t know what works for you yet, try making a few smart goals and one BHAG goal.