I was obsessively organized in high school.

So organized, in fact, that I planned specific time blocks for taking a shower, brushing my teeth, and putting my contacts in.

Here’s the problem:

I didn’t have a long-term vision.

I thought simply being productive day after day would ensure my success.

I focused on the process (GOOD), but I didn’t have a clear picture of what I was “processing” toward (BAD).

I needed to define my vision and long-term goals, then break them down into medium-term and short-term goals before worrying about my personal hygiene routine.;

I needed this:

Vision Planning, Goal Setting, and Time Management for High School Baseball Players

This is a system that would have helped ME tremendously, but I’m not suggesting you copy this verbatim.

Use this template to create the perfect system for YOU. Keep what you like and throw out the rest.

This work is HIGHLY personal.

Vision Planning

What do you dream about?

What pulls at your heartstrings?

What are your deepest desires?

Spend some time reflecting on these questions (and others like them).

Don’t overthink. Just ask the questions and observe what comes up naturally.

The answers to these questions will help you craft your vision.

Since you’re reading my newsletter, I assume you LOVE baseball and want to play as long as possible.

Your answers to the question above might involve:

• Earning all-state honors in high school

• Playing college baseball

• Playing professional baseball

• Etc.

Mine did!

Since you WON’T play baseball forever, however, I suggest dreaming about what you want to do AFTER your baseball career as well.

Whether your baseball career ends when you’re 22, 32, or 42, you’ll still have a lot of life left to live.

Had I given this some thought when I was in high school, I think the following would have been my vision statements:

• I will play college baseball and professional baseball, eventually progressing to the MLB

• After my baseball career is over, I will coach baseball and pass my knowledge and expertise onto young players who have similar goals.

Give yourself plenty of time to design your vision statements, then write them down (or type them out).

Put them in a place where you will see them often, and repeat them to yourself often.

Visualize your dreams coming true every day!

Dealing with Naysayers

When you dream big:

• People will tell you you’re unrealistic

• People will make fun of you

• People will try to drag you down

They are insecure. They are trying to make themselves feel better by bringing you down.

Ignore them!

Your vision is yours and your alone. You don’t have to run it by ANYONE else!

Goal Setting

Your vision is the shiny object in the distance, barely visible from where you’re standing.

Your goals are the checkpoints along the journey that keep you moving in the right direction.

Skip setting goals and you will veer way off track.

Start with your vision in mind, then reverse engineer your goals back to where you’re at right now.

Here’s how:

Long-Term Goals

Long-term goals take years, not months or weeks to achieve. They are the final checkpoints before you realize your vision.

Take my example vision from above:

• I will play college baseball and professional baseball, eventually progressing to the MLB

This vision is broad and vague. Set long-term goals to clarify what exactly you need to accomplish to make your vision a reality.

Here are some examples:

• I will throw 95 mph.

• I will run a 6.70 60-yard dash.

• I will hit 100 mph off a tee.

Next, give the goals a time frame. For example, if you’re setting long-term goals when you’re 16, you might give yourself 3-5 years to accomplish them (your starting point will factor in).

Medium-Term Goals

Medium-term goals last 6-12 months and serve as stepping stones toward achieving your long-term goals.

If you currently throw 82 mph and your goal is to throw 95 mph in 3 years, you might set the following medium-term goals:

• 6-month goal = 85 mph

• 12-month goal = 88 mph

• 18-month goal = 90 mph

• 24-month goal = 92 mph

• 30-month goal = 94 mph

• 36-month goal = 95 mph

Planning medium-range goals like this will make your long-term goals seem less daunting and more realistic.

Short-Term Goals

Short-term goals last 1-3 months and serve as marker along the journey to achieving your medium-term goals.

Continuing with the throwing example, the following short-term goals will help you increase your velocity from 82 to 85 in 6 months:

• 1-month goal = 83 mph

• 3-month goal = 84 mph

• 6-month goal = 85 mph

Once you achieve your first medium-term goal, set new short-term goals that will lead you toward your next medium-term goal.

Time Management

Managing your time effectively and efficiently is the key to achieving your short-term goals.

Staying disciplined to a time-management system is the key to achieving your medium-term and long-term goals.

Before settling on a specific time-management system, determine what daily and weekly habits you need to install and maintain to lead you toward your goals.

Habits

You won’t achieve your goals without good daily and weekly habits.

Picking the correct habits based on your vision and goals is essential.

Continuing with the throwing example, here are some necessary habits to achieve the goals outlined above:

• Strength Training (3-4 times per week)

• Mobility (6-7 times per week)

• Arm Care (6-7 times per week)

• Throwing Program (5-6 times per week)

• Plyometrics (2-3 times per week)

• Mechanics Work (3-4 times per week)

• Pitch Development (3-4 times per week)

• Film Study (1-2 time per week)

• Sleep (7-8 hours per night)

• Nutrition (consult an expert to determine daily calorie and macronutrient goals)

Time Blocking

Planning WHEN exactly you will execute your habits is the final step.

Trying to plug your habits in each day without planning ahead of time is a losing strategy.

Here’s the process I recommend:

• Set aside one hour every Saturday or Sunday to plan the week ahead.

• Use a calendar to block off time slots for everything you HAVE to do for the next week (i.e., school, homework, appointments, meetings, etc.).

• Next, work around the things you HAVE to do to block out time for your habits.

• Set aside 15-30 minutes each night to review your plan for the next day and make any necessary adjustments.

Here’s an example of what a couple day might look like:

Day 1

• Wake Up (6:00)

• Strength Training (6:30-7:30)

• School (8:00-3:00)

• Baseball Workout (3:30-6:30)

  • Mobility/Arm Care/Throwing/Pitch Development/Mechanics

• Homework (7:30-9:30)

• Bed (10:00)

Day 2

• Wake Up (6:00)

• Plyometrics (6:30-7:30)

• School (8:00-3:00)

• Baseball Workout (3:30-5:30)

  • Film/Mobility/Arm Care/Throwing)

• Homework (7:00-9:00)

• Bed (10:00)

I use a Google calendar, but you can use any calendar you want.

Review

Set aside time to review your vision, goals, and habits regularly. I suggest at least once a month.

There you have it!

It’s important to make this process your own.

What I’ve laid out above is simply a template. Don’t blindly follow my advice. Use what you like and throw out the rest. My system works for me, but may not work for you.

Through trial and error, you will come up with a perfect system for you to achieve your goals and ultimate vision!

Feel free to reply/comment with any questions and/or insights.

All the best!

- Matt

P.S. If you'd like to schedule a free consultation with me to discuss your specific recruiting process, reply to this email or sent me a text at 319-883-0242.