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There is no doubt that athletes do better when they set goals.

But goals can also be a two-edged sword. Setting goals that are too high or failing to set intermediate goals that are attainable on the road toward the ultimate goal can lead to negative feelings and depression. That isn't the mindset needed for someone trying to perform at his or her best.

In preparation for this article I researched the subject of goal setting. There was a lot of good information and the same themes cropped up over and over again. It also became immensely boring.

So I’m going to go far afield here. Maybe I’m on to something and maybe not, but hear me out. I’ll cover three areas. First I’ll cover the party line which is seven attributes of successful goal setting. Then I’ll give my impression based on what I feel the experts have left out – a different slant. And just to show I’m open-minded, a week from now I’ll give the results of my poll of successful track athletes. I’ll find out what they felt helped and hurt in the process of moving to the top.

The party line

#1. Make your goals measurable
You have to be able to clearly know when you have met your goals. Make them specific and give them time frames. Most people work better under pressure.

#2. Make your goals attainable
Don’t dream of one huge goal. Set intermediate goals that are readily attainable. The end goal can be difficult but don’t make it impossible.

#3. Write down your goals
Have them available at all times. Post them in your locker and by your bed or mirror. You want to see them everyday as a reminder of why you are doing all the hard work.

#4. Refer to your goals often.
Affirm and reaffirm your goals. It is just like checking a map. If you drive from Massachusetts to California you would look at the map more than once. And at the slightest sign you might be going wrong, take a close look at your map again.

#5. Make your goals performance based, not outcomes
Make the goals things you can be in charge of. You can control your own performance but not that of those around you. A state qualifying time in the mile would be a performance, winning against a certain person is an outcome. Once you focus on performance you realize the race is really you as you presently are vs. the best you can be. The opponents are really just partners in helping to get you get there.

#6. Visualize meeting your goals
If you can’t see yourself doing it, you can’t. If you always picture someone beating you, they will. Make a mental picture of success then copy it in real life.

#7. Celebrate the attainment of goals
The attainment of each intermediate goal deserves a celebration. Make it a reward that will also help you reach even higher goals – and rewards.

Those are some common rules for setting goals. Here’s my twist.

It all evolves around the saying “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Often we start on a path but soon find obstacles. Maybe they’re not really obstacles at all. Maybe they’re just new road signs that show us we should be heading in another direction. We may end up eventually getting to our original destination or we may find we like where the new path takes us better.

But if we are sure the path is right for us, and we stick to the path, then maybe the place we end up is where we were meant to be.

So my goal setting formula is to concentrate on the path, not the destination. So the goals should be to define the path. Here are some potential goals. These are stated in the positive and can be used as affirmations.

#1. I am going to be positive everyday!
Being positive means you have faith in yourself, your coach and your training regimen. You are more likely to get the most out of that which you believe in. It makes practice easier, competition easier and living with yourself easier. Others will also find being with you easier. You might also infect them with your positive attitude.

#2. I am going to work to the fullest of my ability. This could also be stated as “I’m going to complete every workout.”
If you train to the best of your ability you will put yourself in the best position to compete to the best of your ability. You won’t sell yourself short or leave the training advantage to your opponent.

#3. I’m going to keep control of my own performances.
Don’t let others dictate the race or event. You can only control yourself. Don’t let the course of the competition change your focus away from what you do best. Again, have faith. You will do your best if you do it your way. Don’t let the competition throw you off your game.

#4. I’m going to accept my performances as the best I was capable of for the day.
Athletes can come up with 100 reasons for failure. But is it really failure? It was what you were capable of giving on that day. Even if you felt you gave up, guess what, that’s the best you could do on that day because you weren’t mentally prepared to give more. Its all right to be upset. A little discomfort at the result can be a good motivational tool. But the sun comes up again. Every day is a new opportunity for greatness.

#5. When I don’t perform to the level I should, I’m going to learn from the experience.
Make it a goal to critique each race (and practice). But this part must be dispassionate. Train deliberately but race passionately. Use an analytical approach to find new ways to do better. Then do it!

These goals are really focusing on processes. They are the means to an end, the end goal being the best you can be. Following the above path will get you there. It’s OK to set some arbitrary intermediate and end points but remember that they are just arbitrary. You pulled them out of thin air. But what you do in training and racing is the real deal. That is what you have to be able to accept.