Thousands of hockey players say that they want to get a scholarship and play in the Olympics. But there is only so much room at the top of the hockey world. So how are you going to separate yourself from the rest of the pack and be a true hockey success story?
The first step to becoming a hockey success story is to set your hockey goals. Start by writing your personal mission statement for this season. Figure out exactly what it is that you want to achieve over the next few days, weeks and months. The key is to be as detailed and specific as possible - just saying, “I want to play my best”, isn’t going to cut it. You’ve got to know EXACTLY what you want if you are going to take your game to a whole new level.
But the “goal setting” is the easy part.
It’s the “goal getting” that’s the real challenge.
Anyone can write out a great mission statement. But not every hockey player can make their dreams a reality.
The truth is that “goal setting” is all talk, while “goal getting” is all about TAKING ACTION. You have to take action each and every day if you want to be the best. So are you just talking about being the best or are you actually making it happen?
Are you warming-up before every ice session? Are you taking the time to work on your mental game? Are you eating the right kinds of food to fuel your best performance? Are you putting in the time to work on your game away from the rink?
Some hockey players want it to happen and some wish it would happen. It’s the great ones that MAKE it happen by doing all of these “little” things on a consistent basis.
The more action you take towards your goals, the better player you will be. There’s no time like the present - so what are you waiting for?
What did you do today to take a step in the direction of your dreams?
Coach Kim
Originally published October 26th, 2008 on Total Female Hockey [1].