| You may have read my previous article, | | | | Example: |
| "Reaching a Higher Level of Success." If so, you | | | | Let's say your goal is to be able to throw an |
| saw that pitching tip #2 was setting goals. Many | | | | effective curveball by September of this year. Did |
| athletes don't know how to set and achieve goals. | | | | you notice the time frame? Setting a realistic time |
| The following are a few simple steps to ensure | | | | frame to accomplish the goal sets some |
| your goals are met. Remember, no professional | | | | standards for you. Now that you have identified a |
| athlete gets where they are without having both | | | | specific goal and time frame, ask additional |
| a clearly defined goal, and a clear plan of action to | | | | questions so you can take action steps to achieve |
| accomplish it. | | | | it. |
| Setting goals should be a big part of every | | | | Question #2: What am I going to do on a daily |
| pitcher's priorities. Without goals, you lack focus | | | | basis to ensure I achieve this goal? |
| and direction. As a result, you can sometimes | | | | Do I need personal instruction so I'm throwing the |
| forget what you want to achieve or lose sight of | | | | pitch correctly? What pitchers can I study who |
| the big picture of what your objectives are. | | | | throw that pitch effectively? What information |
| Before you set a goal, you have to understand | | | | can I gather, or what resources do I have, that |
| what it is you want. You must then ask yourself | | | | will give me accurate information about the |
| the right questions to reach them. The answers | | | | curveball? Are there pitching-specific exercises or |
| to those questions will help you reach your goals. | | | | pitching drills I can work on to develop proper |
| Question #1: What am I attempting to achieve? | | | | control of the curveball? If so, what are they? |
| Sounds simple right? When answering these | | | | Now it's time to take action on your goal! Set a |
| questions, write them down on paper. It is | | | | schedule for yourself, ensuring that if you follow |
| important to have clearly defined goals. Don't be | | | | your pattern for success, there should be no |
| vague in describing what your focus is, be clear | | | | reason why you won't achieve the goal by the |
| and specific. | | | | date you've set. |