Goals and Purpose
What are examples of the goals
you had in your personal life?
Definition of Goal
The result or achievement toward
which effort is directed or aimed,
a destination.
GOAL
Goal Setting Helps Us Accomplish
Something
• Dribbling Left Handed
• New Dismount from the Beam
• Getting a Win
GOAL
We Prepare, Plan & Play to “Win”…
But “Winning” is not our PURPOSE
Definition of Purpose
The reason for which something
exists or is done.
PURPOSE
• Dribbling Left Handed =
Overcoming Adversity
• New Dismount from the Beam =
Moving Outside of Comfort Zone
• Winning a Game =
Working Together with Others
Goals and Purpose
GOALS have a beginning and an end.
PURPOSE does not.
Our PURPOSE is what we live for.
-Tony Dungy
Coaching Purpose
Example:
“I coach to help boys become men of
empathy and integrity who will lead, be
responsible, and change the world for
good.”
–Joe Ehrmann
If we aren’t intentional about
our PURPOSE and…
If our GOALS aren’t in alignment with our
PURPOSE, then…
Winning becomes our PUPROSE and…
we will do anything to achieve it.
Goal or Purpose?
What does this look like
at our high school?
Less than 3%
of high school athletes
will play beyond high school
at any level!
97%
Will have a terminal
experience
Knowing this,
should we only focus
on GOALS or
should we be more
concerned with our
PURPOSE
What do we specifically
want our children to
acquire through their
participation in sports?
• Self-confidence
• Risk-taking
• Self-motivated
• Responsible
• Self-disciplined
• Flexible
• Working with Others
• Courage
• Committed
• Focused
• Persistent
Acquiring these skills
will help my child to be
successful
in
LIFE
Goal and Purpose?
How do we INTENTIONALLY support
our child around GOALS?
How do we INTENTIONALLY support
our child around PURPOSE?
The Many Ways to Win
• We benefited from winning AND losing
• We had fun
• We learned & improved
• We helped teammates succeed
• We conducted ourselves well
• We did our best
• We appreciated our opponent
• We developed Star Qualities
WE PLAY TO GIVE
WHY DO WE PLAY?
STUDENTS MORE
More…
• We play to create a place of
belonging
• We play to develop the inner lives of
the students who participate.
• We play to give students something
that will sustain them beyond their 4
years in high school.
Become Aware
“Adults choose very little in
their free time where there
isn’t enjoyment, that they
aren’t passionate about and
without purpose.”
-Tony Wagner,
Creating Innovators
Include Fun
Understand your child wants
their choices to include fun.
Allow them to have fun!
Find the Right Balance
Remember, it is only a game
and students want to enjoy their
experience.
Give the Right Feedback
“I love to watch you play” is the
only thing you have to say when
the game is over.
Recommended Reading
InSideOut Coaching
- Joe Ehrmann
WHY WE PLAY was created
by the Minnesota State High
School League. For more
information and for ongoing support, join
the conversation on Twitter.
WHY WE PLAY @mshsl_coaches