Explain goal-setting in basketball terms
'23, can you do somethin' for me - Drake (probably)
I planned to list my 2023 goals in this post but started overthinking about the next 12 months. So I researched how to overcome this mental hurdle and learned that…
“While setting goals is fixated on the future, setting intentions keeps you grounded and present in the moment.” - Jennifer Cohen (article link)
This inspired me to change course and develop a 2023 theme. But before sharing it, I wanted to quickly reflect on 2022.
2022 Reflection
I entered 2022 with minimal expectations, which empowered me to live in the moment. And as much as I’m approaching 2023 with a similar mentality, the circumstances are different.
In 2022…
I was a college student and intern at American Express
Regular Hoops was a personal project under the username [at]overtimedanny
In 2023…
I will be a college graduate and full-time colleague at American Express
Regular Hoops is a brand operating like a business
Or said another way: I uncovered my passions in 2022. Now it’s time to cement my intentions.
ARC — 2023 Theme
Authentic
Reflective
Consistent
This year, I’ll make decisions with unpredictable outcomes. To avoid stressing about the result of each choice, I created the ARC theme to guide my thought process and select the right opportunities for me.
For instance, this post exemplifies the ARC theme because the writing is authentic to my voice & values, reflective, and consistent with my goal to publish 1 blog per week.
In addition to the acronym, ARC is also a metaphor.
In basketball, “arc” describes the path of a shot (ex: low vs high arch). 45 degrees is considered the “optimal” arc, but not everyone shoots at this trajectory.
In college student terms, there are “traditional” entry-level roles that maximize your earning potential. But like shooting arcs, people follow diverse career paths and still score metaphorical buckets.
It’s a friendly reminder to stop spending time and energy comparing yourself to others.
Another “arc” metaphor relates to a shot chart, which highlights each shot’s distinct arc and difficulty.
Similarly, I’m attempting many shots in 2023. Graduating college will be a layup. But growing Regular Hoops will be a full-court prayer.
Throughout the year, I expect most of my shots to bounce off the rim. However, staying authentic, reflective, and consistent will lead to more clarity — and might result in an unintentional bank shot.
Say hi on LinkedIn or leave a comment below if this resonated. I’d love to hear from you.
I can relate to this, what a refreshing way to look at goal setting!