Goal setting is a skill, just like learning how to swim freestyle....
Bob Bowman@coach_bowman
13 views
Oct 12, 2026
~1 min read
Advertisement
1
Goal setting is a skill, just like learning how to swim freestyle. The more you practice it, the better you get.
Here's how I teach it. 🧵
Here's how I teach it. 🧵
2
I start my swimmers on it when they’re young. The easiest way I can explain it is a ring toss.
There's a stick sticking up, you've got three rings, and you can stand anywhere you want to throw them.
There's a stick sticking up, you've got three rings, and you can stand anywhere you want to throw them.
3
One group will get right up on the stick and make sure they hit it every time.
Another group will go so far back they have almost no chance. It'd be a miracle if they hit it.
Another group will go so far back they have almost no chance. It'd be a miracle if they hit it.
4
And then there's a group about halfway between. They're challenged to get it on there, but they've got a real chance to do it.
That's where you want to set your goals.
That's where you want to set your goals.
5
When somebody comes to me unmotivated, it's usually because their goals are either too easy or too hard.
If you're standing right on top of the stick, what's the challenge? If you're all the way in the back, why would you keep throwing?
If you're standing right on top of the stick, what's the challenge? If you're all the way in the back, why would you keep throwing?
6
So look at your goal and ask yourself where you're standing.
You want to be challenged by it, but you want a real chance to get there.
And keep practicing. You'll get better at it every time you do it.
You want to be challenged by it, but you want a real chance to get there.
And keep practicing. You'll get better at it every time you do it.