Goals are typically divided into outcome, performance, and process goals.

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• Outcome Goals are goals that are set in relation to how you perform against others. E.g., a goal to win an event would be deemed an outcome goal. These goals are not totally under your control, as whether you achieve an outcome goal or not will be dependent on not just how you perform, but how your competitors perform too. Outcome goals can be set for competition (e.g. top 5 of an event), and/or practice (e.g. to beat a training partner in practice).

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• Performance Goals are set in relation to one's own performance standard. E.g. a sprinter may set a goal to run faster than 11 seconds, or a golfer to improve their green in regulation percentage to 60%. An athlete has a greater level of control over whether they achieve a performance goal compared to an outcome goal. However, whether a goal is achieved can still be influenced by outside agencies such as playing conditions (e.g. weather). A performance goal can be set for competition (e.g. average over 70 in a darts match), and/or practice (e.g. check out 100+ score during a darts practice session).

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• Process Goals Process goals are when you focus your attention on important aspects which are designed to improve your performance and are 100% under your control. These goals can be achieved in isolation of any competitor influence, and are irrelevant to how you perform against others (i.e., whether you win or lose). A process goal can be set for competition (e.g. complete my pre-performance routine for all shots), and/or practice (e.g. develop my pre-performance routine so that it is consistent).