June 14, 2022

Goal setting and how a coach can help.

One of the key aspects of coaching is helping athletes achieve their goals. However, goal setting isn’t always a straightforward process and something we actively work on is helping athletes plan the process to understand and achieve their goals.

Written by

Dr. Anders

One of the key aspects to coaching is helping athletes achieve their goals. However, goal setting isn’t always a straightforward process and something we actively work on is helping athletes plan the process to  understand and achieve their goals. 

What is your goal?

For many riders we chat to their goals can be different, for a club level racer it could be moving from C to B grade, or for a keen weekend rider, it could be about finishing the 210km Around the Bay. Whatever the long term goals, it’s important to always take a step back and map out the road to success. 

Remember, everyone definition of success if different, whilst I might want to win an A grade race, another rider might be happy to just pin on a number in the first place. 

Clear identification of your long term goals

Knowing why you’re training hard and spending extra time on the bike is always important. If you’re aiming to complete a Gran Fondo, such as Around the Bay, it needs to be your focus and become a part of your daily processes. 

Write it on your bathroom mirror, so each morning when you’re brushing your teeth, or save it as your phone’s background so you remember why you’re getting up to do that 5.30am session on the trainer when the alarm goes off.

Our coaching service can help provide you with clear direction on how to live, breathe and achieve your target. 

Break it down into short-term or mini-goals

Too often we chat to rider who have the goal, but now road map or idea of how to achieve it. When working with our athletes on goal setting, choosing the goal is the easy part, it’s the personalise roadmap that takes time, effort and dedication from you. 

We always suggest breaking the broader goal down into smaller, more achievable chunks, as Desmond Tutu once wisely said that “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.

These mini goals could be getting a podium at a club race or finishing a 100km ride without stopping, achieving these mini goals along the way ensure that you stay motivated and move towards the overarching target. 

Plan your process

To achieve your long-term goals,  this is the part you need to enjoy.. It’s important that the process is as normal as possible and weaved into your everyday life, because if you need to make huge sacrifices for this it can cause havoc in your life, and impact your goals.

A coach is a great resource to lean on in this part of the equation as they are able to provide direct feedback and identify any blind spots that might hinder your success. 

Stakeholder buy in

It’s important to mange the expectations of yourself and those around you. When you choose to start pursuing a goal, it’s about choosing what to sacrifice for time on the bike. 

Will watch less TV and go riding instead? Or Maybe you’ll have to miss out on some sleep to get up early and do a session. Whatever it is, it’s important to clearly articulate to key people in your life, what your goal is, how it will impact them, and the set healthy boundaries. 

It’s also vital that you manage your expectations about what’s realistically achievable for you within the constraints of your lifestyle. It’s important to be realistic at this step so you don’t disappoint yourself down the line. 

When to talk to a coach?

There’s no hard and fast rule about when to engage a coach, but if you’ve got a goal in mind, we can help you achieve it via our various coaching programs and plans. If you’re keen to know more about the benefits of a coach, check out this article on our website

If you’re interested to find out more about goal setting, or how we can help you achieve your goals on the bike, get in touch with us to book a one-on-one coaching consultation today.