Athletes in general and basketball playersin particular need to have goals and need a vision of what they want to achieve. A player can dream of becoming all-state, of averaging so many points per game, or winning a championship. All of these goals are examples of “outcome goals” or “performance goals.” “Outcome goals” can serve to help motivate and inspire an athlete.
While championship athletes and All-American athletes all of “outcome goals,” they seem to share one common characteristic. The great athletes are locked into and are focused on the process. 
The outcome goals are all about the future, while the process goals are all about now. Process goals are about what you are planning to do today and what you are going to demand of yourself.
HUMILITY- Everything in athletics starts with humility. Humility allow an athlete to recognize three very important things-
1- The player recognizes the need for improvement- “I am not where I need to be.”
2- The player recognizes he/she needs their team. “I can’t get where I want by myself.”
3- The player recognizes he/she needs a coach. The coach can not only give me valuable skill instruction but also remind me that I have to make sacrifices today to reach tomorrow’s goals.
PASSION- It takes a real investment of time and sweat to become a championship athlete. The great athletes have a passion for their sport, they ENJOY the work and the process. They love the sport, they love the work, and they love the sweat. The average person doesn’t understand the obsession needed to become a champion.
PRIORITY- Stephen Covey talks about the importance of “putting first things first.” We show our priorities not by what we say but what we do. Last season, Antonia Kisler told me,”I can’t shoot on Saturday, because I have to help my grandmother.” It makes it easy for an athlete to say “I can’t” because it implies it is out of their control, they don’t have a choice. Antonia a couple hours later text to me,”I am sorry for asking, but could you let me into shoot at 7am on Saturday.” For Antonia, shooting was a priority. With our priorities, we don’t “try to find time,” we “make time.”
COMPETE- Athletes must be working out to be ready to handle hard, they must be learning to compete. I saw a post on Facebook by a travel basketball coach. The post showed their team celebrating, and had the caption that their program was celebrating their 18th championship. My concern would be whether these players were being challenged by playing tough enough competition.
I listened to a podcast by Jay Redfern interviewing Scott Kelly. Scott and Mike Campbell led the Streaks to the Elite 8 in 1976. In the podcast, Scott talked about every day in the summer after their junior year, they played 2 on 2 against two college players. It sounds like they didn’t win many of the games but Scott talked about how much tougher it made them and how much they learned.
ENERGY- Lukewarn never wins anything. Cool never wins. Championship athletes learn how they practice is how they will play. Marquette coach, Shaka Smart has his manager chart EGB’s in practice and in games. EGB’s are Energy Giving Behaviors. This is a fantastic example of teaching players to be focused on the process. Coach Smart’s belief is if they focus on bringing energy, they will achieve the outcomes they want.
RIGHT VOICES- Too many cooks spoil the stew, and too many “coaches” ruin the player. Players need to be locked into their performance and their execution. If they are listening to mom or dad’s directions, they will be apt to be “thinking too much.” Championship athletes all talk about getting into “the zone.” You don’t get into the zone if you keep hearing voices. The process needs to be “owned” by the player.
SHOOT- For basketball players, the process must have working on your shot at the core of what you do. Your ability to shoot the basketball will determine what your ceiling will be as a basketball player. The hoop in your driveway gives you that opportunity.
STRENGTH TRAINING- Strength training will make you stronger and will help you become quicker.
QUIET- The more a player shares their personal goals, and the more parents share the players personal goals- the more it seems to others that the player is a lot more into ME than into WE. A player can become a team leader if they are focused on the process- they are a great example to their teammates with their effort, energy, and commitment.
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