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I’ll start with this: any kind of goal setting is better than winging it.
But let’s be real — not all goals are created equal.
There are levels to this.
To make real progress — the kind that moves your program forward and keeps you sane — you need to ask better questions.
One of the best questions I know is:
“What’s your definition of success?”
Let me show you what I mean.
Let’s say you finished last season with a winning record. You got a few strong recruits committed. On paper? Solid year.
But your health took a dive. Or your staff is burned out. Or your own kid is starting to resent the job.
Now, as you look at the second half of 2025 and carve out 2–3 hours a week to get better…
Do you put those hours into studying film for the tenth time or chasing another 5-star recruit who might not even fit your culture?
Or… do you use that time to set up systems that give you back hours every week?
To delegate more.
To start getting home at a reasonable time.
To build the kind of team culture that doesn't chew up and spit out your staff.
When you look back at the end of this year, what will make you say, "That was a successful season"?
More wins?
Or less stress, a better locker room, and a life that works off the field, too?
Your definition of success isn’t mine.
It’s not your AD’s.
It’s yours.
And the sooner you get crystal clear on what that is, the easier it becomes to make smart decisions about your time, your energy, and where you focus.
I’ve worked with thousands of college coaches across the country.
Some are winning championships — and miserable.
Others don’t have the budget or prestige, but they’re growing, thriving, and building careers they want to live inside.
The difference?
Clarity.
They know what matters most — and they stop chasing everything else.
Let me be clear:
This isn’t about lowering your standards or killing your ambition.
It’s about aiming higher — but in the right direction.
Most Coaches Set Goals the Wrong Way
Here's what I often hear:
- I want to be more organized.
- I need to recruit better.
- I want to be a better leader.
- I want to spend more time with my family.
That’s vague. It doesn’t help you take action.
Imagine if your practice plan said:
“Run some drills. Work on stuff.”
Not gonna cut it.
So instead of saying “be more organized,” try:
- I’ll block off 30 minutes every Friday to review my calendar and prep for the week ahead.
Instead of “recruit better”:
- I’ll reach out to 3 high-priority recruits every Monday and Thursday between 8–9 AM with targeted, personalized messages.
Instead of “be a better leader”:
- I’ll schedule 10-minute 1-on-1s with each assistant coach every other week to check in on workload, clarity, and challenges.
Instead of “more family time”:
- I’ll protect 6:30–8:30 PM for dinner and bedtime with zero recruiting calls during that window.
Goals that work are specific, scheduled, and aligned with what matters most.
You Can’t Do It All — And That’s the Point
You’ve got 24 hours. So does every other coach.
The difference isn’t who’s working more — it’s who’s working smarter.
There’s always going to be another recruit to watch…
Another kid to text…
Another email to respond to.
You have to say no to a lot of “good” things…
So you can say yes to what actually builds your career — and your life — long-term.
For me when I was still coaching, that looked like:
- 5 hours/week of focused recruiting blocks
- Clear systems for managing my staff and schedule
- Time every week for recovery and self-care
- Intentional time with my family — off the clock, fully present
For you, it might be different.
The key is to define what success looks like before the chaos hits — and build your week around protecting it.
So ask yourself:
“What’s my definition of success — in this season of coaching, and in life?”
If you’re not sure how to answer that yet, that’s OK. That’s where I can help.
Because once you know that…
We can build the systems and strategies that will actually get you there — without burning out or falling behind.
Let’s make the rest of 2025 the season you stop chasing everything…
And start building something that lasts.
Your welcome to schedule a FREE strategy call with me if you want to go over what this might look like for you. Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/busy-coach
To your success,
Mandy Green
Here are some other ways I can help you:
To leverage your time:
High Performance Coach and Recruiter
To leverage your staff:
Assistant Coach Accelerator
To leverage your recruiting system:
Recruiting Made Simple
How to stay consistent with social media for recruiting purposes:
Social Story Recruiting
The Busy Coach Planner is something I think every college coach should have on their desk for the start of 2025. Grab one here and start fresh, organized and dialed in next year.
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