Big Goals, Small Goals: A Smarter Way to Set 2026 Athletic Goals

As athletes start locking in their 2026 goals, this moment matters more than most people realize - especially for moto athletes, cyclists, runners and skiers who want long-term progress without burnout.

Goal-setting for athletes is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, particularly when balancing training, recovery, work, and life. Big goals can inspire you - and intimidate you at the same time. Small goals feel manageable, but sometimes lack direction on their own.

The athletes who make real progress year over year do not choose one or the other.

They use big goals for direction and small goals for execution.

This post breaks down why both big and small goals matter, how they work together, and how to use them to build a clear, sustainable plan for 2026.

Big goals are your long-term targets. They answer the question:

Where am I trying to go?

Examples of big athletic goals might include:

• Qualifying for a national-level event

• Hitting a new personal best

• Returning to competition after time away

• Earning a roster spot or moving up a level

Big goals are powerful because they:

• Create motivation and excitement

• Provide long-term direction

• Help you prioritize what matters

• Give meaning to the work you do daily

Without a big goal, training can feel random or disconnected.

But big goals also have limitations.

On their own, they can feel far away, vague, or even paralyzing. When progress feels slow, athletes often question whether they are doing enough or doing the right things.

That is where small goals come in.

Small goals are the actions, habits, and checkpoints that move you forward.

They answer the question:

What do I need to do this week or month to move closer to my big goal?

Examples might include:

• Completing all scheduled training sessions for the week

• Improving sleep consistency

• Adding two strength sessions per week

• Rebuilding confidence after injury

• Staying consistent during a busy or stressful season

Small goals are powerful because they:

• Create daily and weekly momentum

• Build confidence through repeatable wins

• Reduce overwhelm

• Keep you engaged when motivation dips

They make progress visible.

However, small goals without a bigger picture can turn into busy work. You may be working hard without feeling like you are actually moving forward.

Big goals and small goals are not opposites. They are partners.

Think of your big goal as the destination, and your small goals as the route you take to get there.

When paired correctly:

• Big goals guide decision-making

• Small goals keep you consistent

• Big goals provide meaning

• Small goals provide momentum

Athletes who struggle most often fall into one of two traps:

• Only setting big goals and feeling overwhelmed

• Only setting small goals and losing direction

The most successful athletes use both, intentionally.

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is only valuing outcomes.

Progress does not always show up as medals, rankings, or highlight moments.

Some of the most important wins are:

• Staying consistent when motivation is low

• Rebuilding confidence after a setback

• Getting healthy and staying healthy

• Trusting the process

• Showing up on hard days

These wins matter.

They compound over time and often determine whether big goals become realistic or remain wishful thinking.

If you are setting goals for 2026, start here:

1. Set one or two big goals

   • Clear, meaningful, and challenging

   • Something that excites you and gives direction

2. Identify supporting small goals

   • Weekly or monthly actions you control

   • Focus on behaviors, not outcomes

3. Revisit and adjust regularly

   • Small goals should evolve as you grow

   • Big goals stay steady, even when the plan changes

4. Track consistency, not perfection

   • Missed days happen

   • Long-term progress comes from showing up again

Setting clear goals is only the first step. Communicating those goals with your coaching team is where they start to become actionable.

When coaches understand what you are working toward - both your big goals and your supporting small goals - they can help guide training, manage workload, and adjust plans throughout the year.

For athletes already training with us, this matters more than you might think.

When we know what you want to achieve in 2026, we can:

• Align training priorities with your long-term goals

• Adjust volume and intensity as the season unfolds

• Help you navigate setbacks, plateaus, and busy periods

• Keep the focus on progress, not just outcomes

Training works best when it is collaborative. Clear communication allows us to coach proactively instead of reactively.

For athletes considering joining the program, this is a core part of how we operate.

We take goal-setting seriously because your goals shape how you train, recover, and progress over time.

Our role is not just to write workouts. It is to support the full process - adjusting, refining, and problem-solving alongside you throughout the year.

If you are setting goals for 2026, share them. Talk them through. Ask questions.

The more clearly your goals are communicated, the better we can support you in reaching them.

Final Thoughts on Goal-Setting for 2026

Big goals give you something to chase. Small goals give you a way to chase it without burning out.

If you feel unsure about your goals right now, that is normal. The important thing is building a structure that supports progress over time.

Clear goals lead to better decisions. Better decisions lead to better results.