For the last year or so I got away from what I used to be so good at. Growing up I would write down my goals…every single day. I wrote down 3 goals for the day and 3 things I Was grateful for right away in the morning. I got this from my old teacher, Mr. Dyhrkopp. He was the most influential teacher I’ve ever had in terms of mental toughness & thinking like a champion. He took what was a joke in other classrooms (mental meetings) and made it a big deal to me. It was interesting how it all came full circle. I never once expressed gratitude for the mental meetings to him, only because I had no idea what sort of impact it had on me at that time. With about a 2 minute conversation my senior year (before a football game) he talked to me & gave me some of the most memorable advice I’ve ever received. Nothing meant more to me in high school than that. It’s my favorite memory (of a not so favorite time). Anyway.
It became such a big deal in my daily life heading into high school that I bought extra mental meeting information. Basically, a mental meeting back then was a half hour or so discussion of what being mentally tough was. There was usually an inspirational story followed by comprehension of it, and, goal setting/daily gratitude. My athletic and academics took off once I started making this routine. It gave me structure and a sense of satisfaction once I completed the goals for the day. Not only that, but, naming 3 different things you are grateful for makes you always keep perspective.
Anyway, I have gotten back to this and have had some great success recently. Not in terms of big picture stuff, but, each day I am reaching my goals. This small progress always adds up to big progress over time. It took me a long time to come back to this, but, I am so grateful I did. It also makes me wish more kids had the opportunity to be exposed to this because of how it changed my life. So, thank you to Mr. Dyhrkopp & here’s to setting goals!
What are your goals today? Go smash them.
-Sky’s The Limit 2013
