Thoughts.

The short summary (I’ll let you read the article yourself for how it applies):

Recent psychological research suggests one of the keys to getting big projects done is balancing up individual tasks against the grand vision. It’s all about knowing when to flip the frame of reference from looking closely at the details of individual components of a project, and when to look up and see the project’s grand sweep.

Substitute “project” with “season,” or even “game,” and you get a very easy flip to ultimate applicability. I’ve made a few posts on goal setting here, and first wrote about process vs. outcome goals long before most of you read this blog. That said, the notion of WHEN to focus on one or the other is a novel concept to my mind. Generally, I’m a proponent of only focusing on the process goals–let the outcome goals simmer in the back of your mind, leave it out there for your buddies on another team (for me, my buddies on the women’s team) to ask you about every so often and play coy and hedge your bets when they do.

This seems to suggest something a bit more appealing though–dare to dream. Just whooped Regional Rival A? Allow a little glimpse forward to Sunday of regionals, and feel confident. Got your ass handed to you by Small State B? Probably better to back off of your lofty aspirations and focus on what moments of brilliance there were in the prior game (remember, talk in positives), putting the game into context rather than extrapolating.

Keeping performance in mind, it’s not a good idea to get too caught up in the destination when you’re still en-route–such allowances are probably not appropriate for halftime in the game-to-go just because you’re up a few points, but there’s some space to dream.

Outside of games, definitely let those big goals come into sight. Nobody does laps around the track dreaming of early exits or disc defeats…do they?

The effect on performance is probably not too significant (until you get light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel syndrome, that deep well of motivation that bursts forth from months or perhaps years of effort accumulated for the sake of one game or one tournament), but the emotional buoyancy is just as important to having a successful season.

Take the losses in stride, but allow for a little gloating when you find success, too. Evaluate on process, but recognize when you can live a little on the outcome, too.