“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.”
– Simone Biles, American artistic gymnast and the most decorated gymnast in history
I have always loved the Olympics.
Growing up, I was mesmerized by athletes like Nadia Comaneci, who earned the first-ever perfect 10 in the history of gymnastics at the 1976 Olympic Games. And when my own daughter became a collegiate gymnast after years of practice and competition, I developed an even greater respect for the dedication and sacrifice that go into reaching the pinnacle of athletic achievement.
My fascination with Olympic athletes has not waned. Just last month, I stayed up far too late watching the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. But as I watched, I realized one of the reasons I find Olympians so captivating – their innate ability to set and achieve goals that truly push the boundaries of human performance.
As it turns out, Olympic athletes are renowned for their use of goal-setting strategies to improve their process, performance and outcomes. Unsurprisingly, these strategies are integral to their success – and we can use them, too.
Take, for example, former swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time. By all accounts, he was a master at applying the SMART technique – establishing goals that were Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. He knew from a young age that he wanted to make it to the Olympics, but he also set smaller, more achievable goals for himself along the way.
I like to advise the people I mentor that they should create one-, three- and five-year SMART goals, which can be personal, professional or both. Breaking down bigger goals into smaller, more manageable objectives can help us maintain focus, stay motivated and avoid getting overwhelmed. This is also a great strategy for tackling performance goals at work for the coming year – something I know every employee at The Ohio State University is doing right now.
According to researchers, you can benefit from the act of setting goals in many ways. Goal setting has been linked to greater self-confidence, motivation and success. Plus, one psychological study from 2015 even found that individuals who wrote down their goals were 33% more likely to achieve them compared to those who only thought about their goals. Keep that in mind as you fill out your goals document this year!
Like our work in academic medicine, life is a marathon, not a sprint. Now is the time to set your intentions for that dream you really want to achieve – but remember to take pride in every step of the journey. Each accomplishment is worth celebrating!
Dean, College of Medicine
Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Vice President for Health Sciences, Wexner Medical Center