Goal Setting: The Top 10 Lessons Football Taught Me About Goals
By Jill | commitment, conditioning, discipline, General, Goal Setting, Goals
Some of my most cherished memories from childhood are from pickup football games my friends and I played on the school lawn down the street from my house.
There are lessons all around us contained in art, theatre, movies, athletics, nature and even in the most unexpected places.
The other day I was going through an old box of pictures and I found a picture of myself and my friends in front of the schoolyard where we used to play football together and it got me thinking about many of the lessons I learned about Goal Setting by watching and playing football. If you are a football fan, you will appreciate this.
The Top 10 Lessons Football Taught Me About Goal Setting
1. He who scores first gains momentum. Have you ever heard a coach talk about an upcoming game? Almost always the coach declares the intention to score first, to put points on the board as soon as possible. This is so important because it gives the scoring team a psychological edge. Scoring first has the potential to boost your confidence and deflate your opponents psyche. I have seen many games where two teams with equal talent are won by the team who scored first.
2. Every inch, every yard forward counts because it gets you closer to your Goal. Most of your offensive plays gain at best an average of a few yards, but over time, they accumulate and contribute to forward movement. Inevitably at times you go backwards a few yards, but if you stay focused on your Goal, you can make up for it on the next play.
3. You cannot play defense the whole game. You cannot just sit back in reactive mode, waiting to see what everyone else is going to do or spend all of your energy responding to circumstances. You have to be proactive, play offense and move yourself towards the Goal by making things happen through deliberate thought and effort.
4. To be effective, you must manage the clock. There are four quarters in a game and there are four quarters in one year. Carefully and strategically allocate your time, energy and manpower to perform at your peak from beginning to end.
5. Take quarterly time outs to evaluate. Schedule these into your life. Examine your stats and measurements. How are you doing? You may need to make an adjustment in your game plan, tactics or fine tune your game plan for better results. If you are in need of a short break to re energize, or are off track at any time, simply call a time out and regroup.
6. You need a strategic Game Plan. Before the game is ever played, every player must know their part and be prepared to execute.
7. You need a great Coach. Even the most gifted, talented players need a Coach to bring out the best in them and keep them focused on the executing the plan. A Coach has a different perspective than the players. A great Coach brings experience and a holistic view of the game and can see things in the big picture that most players cannot see.
8. The greatest players in the game condition themselves year round. Those who enjoy longevity work just as hard on themselves outside of the game as they do in the game. They surround themselves with positive people who support their Goals. If luck is where preparation meets opportunity, the prepared outperform those who are not conditioned every time.
9. An effective Blitz can change the momentum and turn the game in your favor. Focusing all of your energy and attention on one area can catapult you forward by leaps and bounds.
10. Be a Leader, be a play maker. On every team, in every game, you know who the go to guy is who will get the job done when the game is on the line. You know who puts in the extra effort and that in a close game, that extra push is what makes a winner. Be that play maker in your chosen field.
In the game of football and in the game of life, be a team player. Be a leader and approach every important goal as if it your own personal Superbowl.
Enjoy the game and live your dreams.
Jill Koenig
http://www.TheGoalGuru.com
62 Comment(s)
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Please leave a comment. I will tally up the votes. You decide.
Would you rather:
a) have these articles delivered to you in their entirety within an email newsletter?
b) have me post them on the blog and notify you via email when they are posted?
or
c) both – receive a complete article in email newsletter along with a link to the blog post
Cast your vote in the comments section.
Jill
By Penny on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Prefer within e-mail…can read it right then without any additional steps. Also, I can’t access the active content due to firwalls so the web doesn’t add anything for me.
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank You for your feedback Penny.
Jill
By Chris Bluntzer on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Blog, that way I can see if there’s something else of interest to read on the blog in case the particular article doesn’t interest me.
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Chris, I appreciate your perspective.
Jill
By Gloria on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Well I would be ok with either one…So I was wondering could you do both?
By Matthew King on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Honestly, I like to get content in the form of the blog (easier on the eyes), but when you post new content, I like to get a short email mentioning that there is new content, with a link to the new post.
Matt King
By Scott on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Hi Jill…..
Great article, and I love how it centered around football (of all things). I think you should have it both in blog and in email. That way if people want to see it on blog, they can. If they want to see in email, they can. Nothing like what copy and paste can do.
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for the suggestion Gloria :0
Jill
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Scott and Matthew, I appreciate your suggestions and feedback. Thank you
Jill
By Linda on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
I like the link to the blog. Easy to read!!!
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Linda!
Jill
By Wayne on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
I believe both is the best way. I would prefer to just read it thru my email but people that discover you down the road should have the opportuity to read past entries.
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Wayne thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts today
Jill
By Ray McCabbin on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Hi Jill,
I like the best of both worlds. Have a precis of the new article in an email, with the option to link to the blog to get the full story. That way if I’m in a hurry I can spend more time on the articles of interest to me.
If its to be one or the other, my preference is for the blog. Easier to read.
Regards
Ray
By Cassandra on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
I like the blog….but it is nice to get a quick reminder when there is new content on your blog…
Just wanted you to know that I receive many
newsletters in my mailbox..some I never open. But I always open and read yours because you always provide great info and inspiration!
So thank you very much
blessings
Cassandra
By Gary on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
I am fine with either/or both. I do think that the blog option gives more flexibility for the content you deliver. To me, that would count higher on my list for comparison. I also like the RSS option. (I use Google Reader)
Thanks Jill, for the opportunity to contribute to your decision making process.
Smiles
)
Gary
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Ray
Jill
By linda on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
reading within in the email is easy ut either way is fine.
By mahadhe on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article. Will read it over and over until it etched my grey matter.
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for your input and for the kind words, Cassandra. It means a great deal
Jill
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Gary
Jill
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Mahadhe and Linda, much gratitude for your feedback
Jill
By Kath on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Happy to receive via blog rather than email. Enjoy the read and the encouragement and uplifting it gives me. With thanks and gratitude. Kath
By Wendy Haber on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Your website is outstanding. Congratulations! You’re great.
By Barbara on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Blog! with reminder on email. My husband, a high school football and soccer coac will love this article!
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Kath, Wendy and Barbara Thank You so much. Your kind words are very much appreciated
Jill
By Jacob on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
C. Or just an e-mail with top bullet points,and link to blog.
I appreciate your lessons…great value.
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you jacob for your recommendation
Jill
By nick on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
hey really good 10 step program, really made a lot of sense.
cheers for the inspiration
By Jill on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Nick
Jill
By Willie on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Hello Jill, I would love to have the best of both worlds. All of your information has helped me grow tremendously; I can’t thank you enough.
By Thandiwe Chappot on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Prefer Option A, can read right away w/o a hassle.
Thank you!
Thandiwe
By Alison on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
I prefer to receive both.
When I have time I enjoy reading blogs but often I am clearing my in box and can read through an e-mail much quicker.
Also here in SA bandwidth is narrower than yours and v expensive so we often have much slower connections and mine drops often. If I was not online when your newsletter arrived it would clutter my in box waiting for the connection.
I do enjoy your newsletters. Thank you.
By Gavin on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I have just joined your site and agree with Wayne’s comments re being able to go back on past articles for recent joiners.
Maybe email with link back to blog spot for all past articles
By Amy on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I like the idea of the email to the latest blog post. Great article relating goal setting to football!
By John Mumba on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I believe both would be ok, though email is more preferable.
I like your artical on Football lessons. I am a soccer fun and I have learnt a lot of lessons. I normally get a lot of inspiration when watching teams like Manchester, Livepool, Asernal. they can be down but will keep on pushing and changing strategies until they score. They display and demostrate courage, character and determination through the game despite conceeding goals. This is sometimes what we lack when chips are down on our side.
Still reading your other articles that I had accessed. Thanks
By Gary on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I agree with Jacob……C. Or just an e-mail with top bullet points,and link to blog.
I appreciate your lessons…great value.
By jo on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
hi jill
I would prefer b actually, its a lot easier to know that you have an article with a link for quick access. during busiy perriods its easy to press the delete button when the article is huge but with a link, then you can create intrest and i can access in my own time.
thanks for your articles absolutely life changing
jo
By Jill on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I like the email with a link. It actually prompted me to the blog for the first time. In turn, I watched a video that I wouldn’t have had I not been on the blog.
By Larry Webb on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Jill,
Prefer everything in an email so I can look at your content right away without additional steps.
Larry
By Jill on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Willie, Thandiwe, Alison, Gavin, Amy, John, Gary, Jo, Jill, Rosanne, Larry, Leta, I am grateful for your input and thoughtful suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to share
Jill
By Tom on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I’d like it via the blog as it gives more alternatives. Thanks for the choice.
By Cheryl on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Jill ~
I enjoy either way………both are beneficial in their own ways..but my preference is in a link to the blog. Thank you for doing what you do! I have read and listened to you for years now and you always have a KNACK for hitting me where I always need to hear it….the timing is impeccable! You are always inspirational and always a breath of fresh air to me! Keep in touch!
cheryl
tx
By Jill on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Tom and Cheryl, thank you for your input and warm thoughts
Jill
By Pauline on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Both ways, would work for me.
By Lupe on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Jill
I like the e-mail usage best as I am still learning my way around this vehicle. Either way is fine with me as I will get there soon enough.
Lupe
By Jill on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Pauline and Lupe, thank you so much for your input and feedback, you rock!
Jill
By Tim on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Jill,
My vote is for C. I like the option of reading it in an email or visiting a Blog. Love the correlation of this article too!
Keep On Keeping On,
Tim
By steve on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I am new to blogging but learning everuyday. Both.
By Jill on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Tim and Steve, appreciate your time and attention
Jill
By Barb on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Would enjoy both formats if possible. Always enjoying receiving any information from you. So much appreciate you taking the time to post such valuable content!
By Janice Scissors on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Jill,
I like option C.
I love your comparison of football to the game of life. It’s easy to get excited about football because we know it is a “game”. Sometimes with the game of life we are too hard on ourselves. Your 10 lessons above puts it in perspective. Make a plan. Follow the plan. Adjust the plan when necessary.
By Jill on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Barb for your thoughtful feedback.
Janice, you got it, we sometimes learn more from games because we’re having fun and we don’t necessarily know we’re learning!
Jill
By Kimberly on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Hi Jill,
I actually like both. Getting notice via email about the blog post I find very helpful. Love your website and this article is outstanding as usual.
Go For Your Dream,
~Kimberly
By Doug on Jun 6, 2009 | Reply
I like the idea that has been mentioned by several people and that is an email with a link to the full article on the blog. It would give me a chance to see if it would be something that I would really be interested in to pursue further. Your articles are great and the football analogky hit the nail on the head. There are lots of lessons that could be learned from sports.
By Jill on Jun 6, 2009 | Reply
Hi Doug thank you so much
-Jill
By Anita Kaur on Jun 11, 2009 | Reply
Jill, i would prefer both. Thank you muchly.
Kind regards,
Anita
By Jill on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Anita!
-Jill
By Nick on Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
Prefer both, as other blog articles can enhance and reinforce the goal strategy
Nick
By Chris Young on Jan 10, 2010 | Reply
I prefer both. I like to read via my inbox but from your perspective a blog would be better. Sometimes when I visit a blog I end up reading more than one entry and maybe even click on a link. Either way, keep me posted when you have new material.
I love the football analogy by the way.
Chris
By Jill on Jan 11, 2010 | Reply
Thank you for you input Chris and for your kind words. Always appreciated! -Jill