By Todd M. Kays, Ph.D., Sport Psychologist

Although many professional sports have been in season, even coming close to the end of their respective seasons, not so for college and high school student-athletes. They are at the beginning of a new and exciting year - thus, the strong need and most common time to discuss goals. Successful athletes and coaches have a clear vision. This statement is not surprising to those reading this newsletter. There is another important factor, however - the process to accomplish the vision is more important than the vision itself when it comes to success. Do you know the process to accomplish your vision? If you do not take ownership of the process - then many goals will never be achieved.

Our goals are the motivating factor behind why we do what we do. The process, however, is the path, direction or steps to accomplish those goals. Always remember that the achievement of your goals is simply the by-product of staying the right process. Many athletes have high goals - they are fun and exciting to contemplate! The more critical factor, however, is establishing the process that will assist you in achieving those goals, and then staying focused and disciplined on the process.

Complete the process below as a way to obtain the right process. BE CLEAR and FIRMLY establish your process to accomplish your goals. If we do not know the process, get away from the process, and/or ignore the process, we will fall short. This is why many athletes fail to achieve their goals - not due to a lack of motivation, but rather because they failed to take the time to develop the right process, lacked discipline and focus to stay the process and/or simply did not have the true desire to stay committed to the process. The simple fact is that if you want to achieve your goals, then you must take the time to establish the right process, stay focused on the process, and make the commitment to yourself to stay the process the entire year.

Remember there are five areas you have to address to establish the right process. You have to establish a weekly process in these areas to build success in the long-term. Be very specific, clear and action-oriented. If a process is correctly established, you should be able to answer "yes" or "no" as to whether you completed the process in any given area.

1. Physical - fitness, diet, sleep, rest
2. Technical -mechanics, skill development
3. Tactical - strategy, decision-making, watch video
4. Mental - managing pressure, staying in the present moment, focusing on the process and not outcome
5. Personal - staying on top of academic schedule, make effective and healthy decisions when it comes to lifestyle choices