To set successful goals, you first need to know what makes you tick. Wahoo coaches Dr. Jinger Gottschall and Jeff Hoobler look at the impact that your individual personality and personal outlook can have on the goal-setting process. Based on your answers to a series of questions, Jinger and Jeff will give practical recommendations on how to tailor your athletic goals to your specific personality type. So grab a pencil and paper and get ready for a little good old-fashioned introspection.
In previous episodes, we explored the importance of setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. But there's another level to goal-setting, one that looks at your personality type to help you tailor your goals to your personal outlook. In this episode, Wahoo Sports Science coaches Dr. Jinger Gottschall and Jeff Hoobler delve into the ways in which our personalities impact how we should structure our athletic goals. For this episode, you'll need a pencil and a piece of paper to record your answers to a series of questions. Based upon the answers, Jeff and Jinger will provide practical advice on how to better tailor your goals to your personal outlook. As Socrates said, "To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom."
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Jeff Hoobler 0:00
Hey, welcome back to another episode of The Knowledge Podcast by Wahoo. I'm Jeff Hoobler, a strength and movement specialist.
Jinger Gottschall 0:06
And I'm Dr. Jinger Gottschall, Director of applied research. Today, we're going to have an honest chat with ourselves, meaning Jeff and me, and ask you, folks, out there to participate in a little active learning, right,
Jeff Hoobler 0:23
we're gonna take a deep look inside, a deep look
Jinger Gottschall 0:26
inside this his personality and how it relates to your goal setting. As a
Jeff Hoobler 0:31
review, let's start with some basic smart strategies. As we know, our goal setting should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Jinger Gottschall 0:42
So, therefore, we've given you some background on how to set goal setting in previous episodes. And now we're going to take a deeper dive into this, here's how it's going to work, there will be four sections, each of these four sections will represent a different part of your personality. Wait, wait, wait,
Jeff Hoobler 1:01
is there gonna be a test at the end?
Jinger Gottschall 1:02
There's going to be a test throughout.
Jeff Hoobler 1:05
Okay. All right. Just, let's,
Jinger Gottschall 1:07
let's not call it a test. It's not even a quiz. It is honest questions about how you live your life and maybe even specific to your athletic career.
Jeff Hoobler 1:18
Okay, okay. Carry on. Sorry to cut you off
Jinger Gottschall 1:20
there. Well, that's okay. Let me back up, though. For questions. In each section, there will be a potential answer and a B answer. And you're going to add up the number of a's and the number of bees in each section.
Jeff Hoobler 1:33
Perfect. So it sounds like you might want to grab a piece of paper and a pencil that would be best. Okay. Or, or just remember.
Jinger Gottschall 1:41
Let's begin. I'll start by asking you four sets of questions. Number one, Jeff, are you a more logical thinking, questioning, or empathetic feeling and accommodating? Do I answer this for you? Yes, right now on the spot, A or B? Definitely be the Jeff, are you more candid and straightforward or be tactful and kind?
Jeff Hoobler 2:07
I'd like to think B to B so
Jinger Gottschall 2:09
far. Jeff, are you firm and tend to criticize or be gentle and tend to appreciate?
Jeff Hoobler 2:16
I got a streak going here? B? Oh,
Jinger Gottschall 2:20
three for three on the B. And lastly, Are you tough-minded or tender-hearted?
Jeff Hoobler 2:26
I'm going straight for the bee, another
Jinger Gottschall 2:29
bee, because you answered more bees than A's. Actually, all bees, you are an individual who thinks of people first. And the problem or the issue at hand comes second. For those of you out there who perhaps answered the questions with more answers than you are actually the opposite. You're an individual who takes the problem first, and the person second, how we would like you to re-evaluate your goal setting based upon this is in this way, Jeff, because you are so people-oriented. I would like you to make sure that when you're setting your goal, there are still parts of it, that are for you. Even though you love to think about others, make sure you're thinking about others, but you're still giving yourself something that you look forward to in the school setting. And for those of you that answered more, I'd like you to just think about a little bit more other people and how they fit into this process of goal setting for you. So it's making sure that there's a positive outcome for all those of you who answered BS for yourself. And for those of you that answered A's that you are making sure that the other people that are important in your life are still being
Jeff Hoobler 3:46
considered. Excellent. So I'm sure we'll circle back to this but you know, family, friends, the people closest to you.
Jinger Gottschall 3:53
Exactly. Don't leave them out of the process. Make sure that they are still playing a role. Right. Sounds great. Alright, section one has done. That wasn't too stressful, was it?
Jeff Hoobler 4:02
Get a little sweat going?
Jinger Gottschall 4:05
Okay, so ready to be on the hot seat. All
Jeff Hoobler 4:08
right, here we go section two. Are you a person who spends energy and enjoys groups, or be someone who conserves energy and enjoys one on one time? Say overall m&a? Number two, would you consider yourself more outgoing and think out loud or quieter? And think to yourself again? And would you consider yourself someone who likes public activities and like to interact with others or more private activities and quiet like to concentrate?
Jinger Gottschall 4:42
Oh, if I'm relating this to physical activity, it's going to be tricky because my favorite thing is probably running by myself. So I'm actually gonna say be on that one.
Jeff Hoobler 4:54
And would you consider yourself more communicative and like to express yourself or reserved and like to keep yourself,
Jinger Gottschall 5:01
I'm going to say on that one. So if we're doing four questions, and I'm three A's and one B,
Jeff Hoobler 5:07
well, then we definitely got to put you in the A category, okay, which would indicate that you're more extroverted. And you'd like to be around people, you're energized by the people in your social settings. And if you are one of those people that had more A's, it's really important for you to talk about these goals with a partner, or coach or mentor, or friend, and take that information and incorporate it into your goal
Jinger Gottschall 5:34
setting. So be communicative with others about my goals, right? Okay,
Jeff Hoobler 5:39
sure, those goals. Now, if the sum of the B answers is greater, then you tend to be a little bit more introverted, you're energized by calm settings. And it's ideal for you to think and reflect on your goal independently. Take your time, don't rush the process. Finalize your goal when you feel comfortable. Okay, the bottom line for that goal success is to take your time to create the goal.
Jinger Gottschall 6:04
Got it. So more A's. It's all about sharing with others. And if you had more bees, it's not coming to the goal too quickly, and really taking time to think about it. Right. Okay. I'm taking it in that
Jeff Hoobler 6:18
case, I think that we also want to acknowledge that we don't necessarily want to shut others out when we say that, but we really want to be reflective.
Jinger Gottschall 6:26
Got it. So it does have to do a little bit with being too quick to create the goal. Not necessarily you have to be in this silo and never discuss it with anybody. But the reflection comes with more time if you're obese, right? Yeah. Okay, well, that's two categories down. So we're going to move on to part three. And Jeff, I'm going to ask you for another set. And the first one is, are you more practical and realistic or be imaginative and innovative?
Jeff Hoobler 6:58
That's a B again,
Jinger Gottschall 7:00
okay, we're on a roll with you. Are you more standard and conventional? That's an A answer, or a be different and unique?
Jeff Hoobler 7:11
Do we even have to let's not
Jinger Gottschall 7:13
everyone can recognize you are a beautiful be. And that's not a bad thing. Jeff, do a tendency to focus on the present moment and give your personal viewpoint? Or are you an individual who looks to the future and more think about the global perspective?
Jeff Hoobler 7:33
That's interesting. I do teeter a bit, but I definitely think I'm a B, again,
Jinger Gottschall 7:37
a B. I like that global perspective. That's nice. And finally, are you really relying upon logical facts? Or are you more be philosophical, where you dream a lot, dare to dream?
Jeff Hoobler 7:53
Definitely a dreamer,
Jinger Gottschall 7:54
you are a dreamer, you are across the board. And, folks, it is okay. If you have a couple here and a couple there have one or the other. But you might find and I think some of this might come with maturity, not saying you're old. But with age, we may figure some of these things out a little bit more.
Jeff Hoobler 8:13
Right. And interestingly, I don't know that if you'd asked me these same questions 10 years ago, or 20 years ago, I would have answered the same way. So yeah, things change.
Jinger Gottschall 8:24
Exactly. And that is completely fine. And you may find that you answer differently. If you're thinking just about your fitness and performance goals versus your career goals. That's also very possible. Alright, but back to this section. If you were like Jeff and need the majority of your answers were then you are an individual who really goes for your gut instinct. And you will create the goals based upon something that inspires you something that you are looking forward to far in the future. And you are also an individual that may not always think about the challenging nature of the goal, you might just do it because it sounds cool and fun. But what I'd like to encourage those of you who had a lot of B answers is to make sure there is the challenge aspect, because that actually helps us maintain motivation for long periods of time.
Jeff Hoobler 9:15
What do you mean by that challenge aspect? Me a little is it
Jinger Gottschall 9:19
something that you couldn't do today? Something that you'd have to work towards that you'd have to put a little energy into? Okay, so those of you ever
Jeff Hoobler 9:30
been outside the realm of possibility, knowing that we're gonna have to work for it.
Jinger Gottschall 9:35
Exactly. This is in contrast to those of you who answered more with AES, these individuals tend to create extremely challenging goals that may even be to the point where they won't accomplish them and they are actually okay with it because a lot of it is the process for them. And therefore, for those of you that were more A's make sure you're not overwhelming yourself. By creating something that is almost impossible
Jeff Hoobler 10:03
sounds great. Okay. All right, we're on to Section four final
Jinger Gottschall 10:08
the final section of goal setting.
Jeff Hoobler 10:12
All right, Dr. J, would you be more the type that is organized and orderly or flexible and adaptable?
Jinger Gottschall 10:20
I want to say BS but I am so an if you looked at my condo inside the kitchen cupboards, you'd be horrified by the I don't measure things. organized. Okay, next, let's
Jeff Hoobler 10:36
move on. Moving on. All right, second set here. Would you be the type of person to have a plan in a schedule, or be more spontaneous and unplanned?
Jinger Gottschall 10:47
I always had this schedule in the back of my head. So I'm saying a, okay,
Jeff Hoobler 10:50
would you be more structured or easygoing?
Jinger Gottschall 10:53
I know this sounds counterintuitive. But despite the fact that I am extremely type A on the organization, and I do have a schedule, I am laid back,
Jeff Hoobler 11:04
you are definitely easygoing.
Jinger Gottschall 11:06
So I'm gonna say be on that one loving it.
Jeff Hoobler 11:09
Okay, for the next set, are you more the type that likes to be prepared and plan ahead or go with the flow and adapt? As you go,
Jinger Gottschall 11:18
I know, this is gonna throw you for a loop, because I'm going to have to in to, but especially with respect to my fitness goals, I am a B, I will adapt as I go see how I feel what other stressors I've got going on in life. So I'm going to write what are you going to do with that? I can do with that, Jeff?
Jeff Hoobler 11:37
I think that we're just gonna roll with it. Okay. So for those of you out there that let's just say that you came up with your, you're on the A-side, then you don't necessarily need such a formal process and your goal setting as you incorporate those into your everyday life, you kind of live that way with very organized and structured, even though it's a natural process, your goals should be explicitly defined. One thing to work on is listening and considering the advice of others
Jinger Gottschall 12:06
Oh, so I think we need to emphasize this. For those of you who had more don't hesitate to listen to what those folks that are invested in your goal with you have to say about it. Right? Okay, a
Jeff Hoobler 12:23
a little bit of perspective. Exactly. And, for the flip side, if the sum of your B answers is greater, then you treat your goals more like a fluid process. And a plan is just an outline that can be modified, okay? It can be adaptable. Even though it's a less-defined method, you're going to achieve your goals with a high success rate. And one thing to work on here is to limit procrastination, consider asking a single person to review your process on a regular basis, or a coach or a mentor.
Jinger Gottschall 12:57
Okay, so there's a bit of difference between them. But for somebody like me who answers two and two, I think the take-home message is that I should still be asking for perspective. And depending upon how expansive My goal is, that would be if it's really a long term, as a year-long goal then I can ask multiple people how they fit in and get their opinions. But if it's more short-term, but still reflect, but that could be just with a single person, right? Alright, so let's, let's sum this up. First of all, we really encourage you, folks, to utilize that smart goal, process, and strategy when you are initially formulating your goal. And don't be afraid to revisit it. And look at these four different personality traits. And how you then make might make modifications to that process. And with that is just to be honest with yourself. And don't be afraid to ask others.
Jeff Hoobler 13:57
Yeah, definitely. It's okay to revisit your goal. Come back, make adjustments as needed, using that input that you get from others. And just as you said, Be honest with yourself
Jinger Gottschall 14:10
critical, it's sometimes is a little tricky. And you may not want to see how your goal is influencing others or how you can modify it based upon challenge. But in order to set yourself up for success, be honest.
Jeff Hoobler 14:27
Yeah. And you know, ginger, I have to be honest with myself, and I'll be honest with you, as I went through this, these are not the way that I would have answered these questions 10 years ago, and I know I mentioned that a bit earlier. But it was kind of shocking when I actually sat down and asked these questions to myself and thought about the relevance of what I'm doing now.
Jinger Gottschall 14:49
Totally. That is a great lesson for all of us that as we gain experience in our athletic careers, and have had more time to Understand how we work, how we train best what our mental training processes from beginning to end, these things will actually also mature with us. So don't be afraid to make changes not only as you go but don't think about yourself as that 18-year-old athlete that is still going to apply another 20 Maybe in my case 30 years down the line.
Jeff Hoobler 15:24
Yeah, right on. This is fantastic. Well, that's another episode of the knowledge podcast by law. Hope you're able to take away some useful information on this topic, though, to help you become a better endurance athlete.