People with goals tend to out-perform those without goals. The goals we set, and our beliefs about those goals, guide our behavior and make it purposeful. Goals should be difficult enough to be challenging but not so difficult that they are beyond reach. Difficult goals spur us to our best efforts and give us the most satisfaction. Better that a goal is too difficult than too easy.

Make your goals specific and concrete, rather than vague and general. State them in observable terms, so you can measure your progress. Top athletes constantly rate their own performance and compete as much against themselves as against other athletes. Every training session, every round sparred, should be geared toward some specific objective or fine tuning of performance.

Goals that you set for yourself motivate you more than goals that are set for you. The value that you place on a goal and your belief that you can reach that goal will affect your commitment. Goals are highly inspirational but need to be tested against reality. Be sure that you know what you’re getting yourself into and have the necessary resources. Goals must be within an individual’s abilities and aspirations. A coach or boss who demands more than an individual can give will wind up with a beaten, depressed victim.