What are the characteristics of the perfect athlete? Obviously, the perfect athlete does everything, well, perfectly.

The perfect golfer drives the ball off the first tee for a hole-in-one, then follows up that feat 17 consecutive times for a perfect round of golf.

The perfect quarterback has a 100% completion percentage, that is, if he throws the ball to the perfect receiver, who catches the ball 100% of the time.

The perfect pitcher throws 81 unhittable pitches, striking out 27 hitters in a row for a so-called “perfect” game.

I guess the perfect athlete would be an athlete who is non-existent.

Why do athletes keep pushing to be perfect if perfection doesn’t exist?

Author Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

This philosophy sounds logical. Unfortunately, the theory is flawed.

When you shoot for perfection and miss the mark, in essence, you fail. Fail enough times, and you will feel like a failure. Your confidence will dip, your motivation will dissipate, your level of effort will lessen, and your performance will decline rapidly. In essence, you will achieve only a tiny fraction of your potential.

The better alternative is to strive for excellence. The term “excellence” is derived from the Latin word “excellentia,” meaning “surpass.” Surpass means “to be better than.” Restated, striving for excellence means being better today than you were yesterday. Unlike perfection, excellence is a realistic proposition.

How do you achieve excellence?

Excellence is achieved by setting realistic, challenging stretch goals. Stretch goals are targets within your reach. However, you must work intensely and intently to maximize your growth as an athlete to accomplish your objectives. Sometimes, you will need a boost, while other times, you must be creative to expand your mental and physical abilities. Realistic goals challenge and motivate you to improve and push your limits daily.

Perfection does not allow for even the most minor mistakes. Conversely, when you strive for excellence and miss the mark, you can reset and try again tomorrow.

The Art of Goal Setting

Goal setting is an essential tool to accomplish any objective. Successful businesses start with short-term and long-term targets, a detailed business plan, and a timetable. Graduating from a college or university requires a planned coursework schedule with targets to achieve at the end of each semester or year. Heck, practically every vacation starts with a destination, dates, pitstops, accommodations, and a travel plan.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

SMART is an acronym for five characteristics of the goal-setting process:

• Specific – Goals should be well-defined, clear, and concise targets.

• Measurable – Goals should be quantifiable so you can track your progress.

• Attainable – Goals should be realistic and achievable within a reasonable time frame, given your skills.

• Relevant – Goals should be personally significant and fuel your passion.

• Time-bound – Goals should have a target date for reaching your objective.

Achieving goals is a fluid process. Goals set the stage for the pursuit of excellence.

It’s time to erase the word “perfect” from your vocabulary. Instead of chasing an impossible ideal, pursue concrete, realistic standards.

Call off the search for the perfect athlete and perform an in-depth search for the excellent athlete that exists within you.

If you need assistance with goal setting, support during or after your athletic career, or in your pursuit of excellence, feel free to email me at joe@player-support.com

Player Support Services offers a wide array of services for professional and elite athletes and sports organizations. Our trusted advisors have decades of experience and are here to support you through all your athletic and post-career endeavors.