TargetTalk

My goal is to win.

The above post is absolutely correct. The approach to each shot should be to shoot the next shot correctly, as a one shot match, then move on. Good Luck, Good Shooting, Have fun. Bill Horton

To win what ?

Goals should be something you can influence and acheive. Winning is dependant on outside influences (other shooters) and is not therefore a good goal to set (IMHO).

Rob.

Anonymous wrote:My goal is to win.

That's not a goal, it's a belief.

maybe that is why the Brits have not faired so well, do you think the Chineses think about winning? You can't do it if you can't visualize yourself doing it. Think like a winner- be a winner. Basic.

Anonymous wrote:maybe that is why the Brits have not faired so well, do you think the Chineses think about winning? You can't do it if you can't visualize yourself doing it. Think like a winner- be a winner. Basic.

You miss-understand what the term 'goal' means. For sure you want to win, we (probably) all do, but that is not a goal. A goal must be specific, realistic and under your control. To win depends on other shooters on the day, so is outside your own influence.

Rob.

I think we need to understand that there are differnet types of goals. The process or activity goals that we use on every shot (proper sight alignment, trigger operatin, etc) are necessary to perform well, but we also have goals to perform at a certain level (score or top whatever finish), as well as general outcome goals (WIN).

Without an outcome goal a person can stagnate and do a great job at the process goals, but struggle to reach the level they desire. The outcome goal (go to the Olympics, Win a match, beat a fellow competitor) will drive the determination to actually do the things needed to reach the process goals.

In my business I find that those who set an outcome goal, and tell all their friends about that goal to retire early or have a second residence or whatever the goal may be, actually achieve the goal more often that those who focus on the monthly activity that it will take to reach the goal (save and invest). A firm picture in the mind leads to subconscious to somehow do what is necessary to reach the long term outcome goal.

Pat, I subscribe to your description of a legitimate goal. One may not have yet developed the specific skills necessary to win but why else would one devote the time and money necessary to compete in our sport without a burning desire to win ? I found that the instance I entered a competition with out expecting to win I did not win. Shoot to win seems to me to be the way to suceed in this wonderful sport in whitch we participate . Good Shooring, Win as much as you can. Enjoy the hell out of the journey, Bill Horton

Pat McCoy wrote:
In my business I find that those who set an outcome goal, and tell all their friends about that goal to retire early or have a second residence or whatever the goal may be, actually achieve the goal more often that those who focus on the monthly activity that it will take to reach the goal (save and invest).

And that's the key to why the posting by anonymous "Guest" is not really a goal. If Guest is unwilling to own his words in this supportive context by using his real name, how meaningful can they be?

FredB

2650 Plus wrote:I found that the instance I entered a competition with out expecting to win I did not win.

That's why I don't believe that "to win" is a goal. A goal is something you try to achieve.

"To win" is fundamentaly different to a goal. You must expect and believe that you ARE going to win. Yes, you have try to achieve the steps required to let you win but the winning itself, no, that's already decided.

I think we agree on attitude Bill, it's just a difference in terminology.

How does saying or thinking or convincing yourself that you are going to win help you with specific, actionable deeds.

I agree that you have to have the attitude to win. Working witha freind the other day, we spoke about our best team experiences. For him the best was his high school bseball team. Thier attitude was that they were going to win every game. The few times they lost it was a bad call by the umpire or the other team got lucky and it was a good thing we were not going to play them again.

But he went on to state that they work hard, had a very good coach who knew the game and trained them hard. So not only did they have an attitude, they did the work to support the attitude.

Saying my goal is to win is a great attitude, but it needs to be backed up. One expert would ask about a goal "by what method" His point was that you can make bold statements, but they were empty unless you knew and stated "by what method"

Quotes are of W. Edwards Deming.

PETE S wrote:So not only did they have an attitude, they did the work to support the attitude.

If it's good enough for baseball.................

pete:

- We have chatted before about using PVR/SPC in conjunction with improving performance in the shooting system;

- "By What Method" of course means the behaviors. What are the causal factors that drive the system performance outcomes?

Actually I was thinking a litle more of Deming Juran with some Crosby tossed in for strategic issues . . .

Goals such as 'I will win' can be valuable but ar ebest served within the coach/athlete relationship. This is because the will to win is a motivating factor that can blind or distract from the process required to actually achieve the goal. The coach can provide the performance goals and feedback to achieve this.

If you make a goal to win then you 'must' break down the build up into performance and result goals in the years, moths, weeks leading up to the contest or you will have no idea if you will be good enough to win. Sure you've heard it and it is slightly cliche but all goals should be SMART.

Shawn