How to Really Create Change

Lesson from Yoda, a Wimbledon Champion, and JFK

Goals without action are also known as fantasy. One thing we have learned over the years working with athletes of all ages is that setting a goal does nothing if you do not create action. Here are 3 keys to setting goals that will get you into action and help you live your dreams:

1) Have Black and White Goals— A Black and White is a goal that you either accomplish or fail to accomplish. For example, if I set a goal to get better in practice I can justify it and answer with sure or I think so. A Black and White goal will leave no wiggle room. For example, did I complete a 5 mile run today…Yes or No. I either did it or I didn’t. Like Yoda says in the Empire Strikes Back “There is no try, only do or not do.” Make sure when you set a goal it will only have a yes or no answer.

2) Focus on 3 critical behaviors —In 2011 Novak Djokovic changed 3 behaviors prior to his incredible season where he won 3 grand slam titles and won 41 matches in a row going 70-6 for the season. The three behaviors he addressed were going gluten free in his diet, changing his commitment to fitness, and changing his belief system about his competition. The last change was the toughest as prior to this season he talked about Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer as the “royalty” of tennis and often felt as though he did not deserve to beat them. In his previous meetings he had struggled to beat Nadal and Federer. After reframing his mind to a belief system of “ I have the game to beat these guys and I will do it” — he went on to beat them 10 out of 11 times.

3) Write your sentence—The last key to setting goals is to have a motivation that is larger than yourself. In his book Drive, Daniel Pink describes the influence of congresswoman Claire Booth Lewis on President John Kennedy. She pointed out to the President that “a great man is a sentence”. For example Abraham Lincoln “Preserved the Union and freed the slaves.” President Kennedy at the time was attempting to take on too many projects and she was fearful that he would get spread too thin and not accomplish anything. So she challenged him to write his own sentence. One question to ask is simply “what is my sentence” ? That simple question will help you lead your behavior in a direction that has impact and meaning.

So ultimately to set great goals you need to make sure of 3 keys: 1) Have black and white goals, 2) Focus on 3 critical behaviors, and 3) Write your own sentence.

Joshua Lifrak is a Senior Mental Conditioning Consultant at IMG Academy www.imgacademy.com . Follow him @lifrakattack on twitter. Email him your thoughts at josh.lifrak@img.com.