With every new year comes the opportunity to set new goals. For athletes, a new year is a fresh opportunity to focus on getting better both on and off the field. We wanted to highlight a few resolutions that we think can help all young athletes, regardless of the sport they play.

Below are our top resolutions we want everyone–athletes, coaches and parents alike–to focus on in the new year:

Be Mindful

Mindfulness is nothing new – top athletes all over the world use it. But what exactly is it? Mindfulness is how we perceive external situations and how the messages we tell ourselves have implications on our performance and ability to reach our potential. In order to be more mindful, try meditation, visualization, and deep breathing.

Eat Right

Food is the fuel that makes your body run. In order to be in the best shape possible, good nutrition is key. And remember, good fueling habits are an everything – not something to only pay attention to on game day.

Drink Plenty of Water

In addition to eating well, it’s important to drink plenty of water. For a healthy life, hydration is key. Some sports drinks contain added sugar, so pure water can’t be beat when you work up a thirst on the court or the field.

Set Realistic Goals

Sometimes setting goals can be intimating, but its important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. If you’re looking to improve your jump shot, shave time off your mile, or master your backhand swing, start with baby steps. Continue working on your skills for an extra 15 minutes after practice ends, or watch game film to see where you can improve. You can even sign up for one-on-one coaching. Making little changes and sticking to them will help you reach your goals.

Channel the Right Mindset

At the end of the day, sports are supposed to be fun. They should act as a stress reliever, rather than causing stress and anxiety. Channel the mentality of a little leaguer: Sports are an opportunity to have fun, play with your friends and be kind to one another.

Be Inspired

As we look ahead to the New Year, we’ll leave you with a few of our favorite quotes from incredible athletes and role models. These words of wisdom may give you that extra push you need to start working towards your goals.

• “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I cannot accept not trying.”     -Michael Jordan
• “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” -Vince Lombardi
• “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.” -William Ward
• “Set your goals high, and don’t stop until you get there.” -Bo Jackson

Article By: www.coachup.com