How Resolute Action Increases Competitive Achievement

How many times have you heard “Happy New Year” so far in 2023?

As the new year revs up, people get excited about the prospect of a new beginning. But how many times does a new year bring you much of the same? The same degree of happiness, the same level of production, or the same level of accomplishment

The same is true of sports. Most athletes get excited at the start of a new season. They dream big dreams and set new goals. It’s a fresh beginning in hopes of having a breakout year.

However, dreams can be thwarted pretty quickly. The reason is that athletes often “hope” they “have” a good season. Hope is a passive concept that lacks action. Mere hope is why new year’s resolutions often fail and why many athletes fall short of success.

Successful athletes don’t wait for success; they go after success. When you invest in purposeful action, you increase your chances of accomplishment exponentially.

Of course, all accomplishment starts with a resolution or goal. However, work is the motor that drives you forward. I am not talking about aimless work, where you go through the motions. Putting in “time” isn’t an effective strategy for success. Little will change if an athlete attends a practice or training session for two hours without purposeful action. With that strategy, you are not much further along the path to achieving something meaningful.

Success and overcoming adversity require thoughtful and intentional action. Success comes from relentless effort and a resolute mindset where obstacles, losses, unfortunate events, and bad days are mere challenges to overcome, not roadblocks.

8 Practical Steps for Developing a Resolute Action Mentality

Shift into First Gear – Create a realistic action-based goal. Setting attainable goals sets the process in motion by giving you a viable target to guide your actions.
Map your Course – Give yourself direction by mapping out the actions/ steps required to reach your destination. An action plan recruits your mind as its ally. When you know the steps necessary for success, your mind will nudge you forward with opportunities that align with your goal.
Find a Co-Pilot – Announce your goal to a teammate, coach, or confidante and ask if they will help you navigate through adversity, lulls in motivation, and periods of slow progress. In addition, celebrate your milestones and successes with that person along the way.
Stay Engaged – No matter what happens, keep focused on taking purposeful action. Action does not always have to be physical movement. Instead, you can move forward by honing essential mental skills.
Revisit Seasonal Goals – Evaluate your goal, plan, and progress each week. A quick review will help you determine if you are on the most effective path and adjust the course if necessary.
Recommit Daily – Every day, reaffirm your commitment to undertake the necessary steps to achieve your objectives. When you remind yourself of why you are pursuing your goals, you will sustain your motivation and efforts longer.
Take Bold Actions – Don’t merely go through the motions. Instead of playing it safe, take calculated risks and work intensely and intently.
Hold yourself accountable – Accountability cannot be overstated. Hold yourself to an expectation of excellence. Of course, you may slack off once in a while. That’s okay if you recognize your performance lag and shift into a higher gear.

Remember always, hope, a lack of direction, and merely attending practice will yield little results. Success demands you exchange your new year’s resolution for gritty, resolute action.

Coach Michael

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