Athlete Season Debrief-Inventory / Planning Next Season Framework
Athlete Information
• Name:
• Sport / Event(s):
• Season / Year:
• Primary Goal(s) for the Season:
For each section:
• Be factual, not emotional.
• Write what actually happened, not what you wish happened.
• Take responsibility for your part.
• Look for patterns, not isolated events.
1. RESULTS & REALITY CHECK (Facts Only)
What actually happened this season? Achievements and the missed targets.
• Key goals :
• Performances vs expectations:
• Training consistency (high / moderate / low):
• Health & injury status:
• Attendance, preparation, execution:
Bottom-line outcome of the season:
2. FRUSTRATIONS (Where Energy Was Drained)
Anything that caused anger, disappointment, blame, or lingering frustration.
For each item, fill in all columns:
Situation / Event
What I Expected What I Felt
How It Affected Me (performance, motivation, confidence)
My Part (actions, choices, mindset)
Patterns you notice:
3. FEARS & DOUBTS (What Drove Behavior)
Fears often shape decisions more than goals.
Fear / Doubt—-When It Showed Up
How It Influenced My Actions
Was It Realistic? (Yes / No)
Healthier Response
Recurring fear themes (e.g., failure, judgment, injury, success):
4. EGO, CONTROL & IDENTITY (Where Self Got in the Way)
Honest look at pride, comparison, control, and attachment to outcomes.
• Where did ego show up this season?
• Where did I force outcomes instead of executing process?
• Where did comparison affect my confidence or decisions?
• Where was I unwilling to adapt?
My part:
5. HABITS & CHARACTER IN ACTION
Who you were daily mattered more than race day.
Habits That Helped Me
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Habits That Hurt Me
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Which habits were non-negotiable?
Which were optional when stress increased?
6. STRENGTHS REVEALED
What this season proved you can rely on.
• Physical strengths:
• Mental strengths:
• Execution strengths:
• Support systems that worked:
7. LIMITERS REVEALED
Limiters are teachers if you listen.
• Physical limiters:
• Mental/emotional limiters:
• Lifestyle or logistical limiters:
• Decision-making limiters:
Which limiters were within my control?
8. OWNERSHIP STATEMENT:
Short, clear, no excuses.
“The truth about my season is…”
“My responsibility in the outcome was…”
9. LESSONS & COURSE CORRECTIONS
What this season was trying to teach you.
• Lesson #1:
• Lesson #2:
• Lesson #3:
What must change going forward:
10. INTENTIONS FOR NEXT SEASON (Clean Slate)
Not goals yet—principles and standards.
• The athlete I commit to being next season:
• Non-negotiable behaviors:
11. TRANSITION TO GOAL SETTING
Only complete after full honesty above.
• What kind of goals now make sense?
• What am I no longer chasing?
• What excites me again?
From Season Debrief to Goal Setting & Planning
HOW THIS WORKS
This map turns the Season Debrief into:
1. Clear goal selection
2. Correct goal type (outcome vs process vs identity)
3. Smarter season structure
4. Daily execution standards
Rule: Goals are not chosen until the debrief is complete.
STEP 1: EXTRACT THE TRUTH (FROM THE INVENTORY) Pull Forward These Sections:
From the debrief, summarize:
• Top 3 Strengths Revealed (Section 6)
• Top 3 Limiters Revealed (Section 7)
• Recurring Fear / Ego Patterns (Sections 3 & 4)
• Habits That Held Under Pressure (Section 5)
• Habits That Collapsed Under Pressure (Section 5)
Truth Statement:
“Given who I proved I am right now, my next season must be built around…”
STEP 2: DETERMINE GOAL READINESS
Use honesty, not ambition.
Answer Yes / No:
• I can train consistently without forcing motivation
• I recover well relative to load
• I communicate when things are off
• I execute process even when outcome pressure is high
• My lifestyle supports my training goals
Readiness Result:
• ☐ High Readiness → Performance Goals are appropriate
• ☐ Moderate Readiness → Process + Performance Blend
• ☐ Low Readiness → Identity & Habit-Based Goals first
STEP 3: CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF GOALS
1. Identity Goals (Non-Negotiable)
Who you must be daily for any outcome goal to make sense.
Examples:
• “I am an athlete who communicates early.”
• “I train consistently without emotional bargaining.”
Chosen Identity Goals (1–3):
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2. Process Goals (Controllable)
Behaviors that directly correct limiters revealed in the inventory.
Examples:
• Complete 90% of planned sessions over 12 weeks
• Strength train 2×/week year-round
• Execute race pacing regardless of competitors
Chosen Process Goals (3–5):
3. Outcome Goals (Earned, Not Declared)
Only selected if readiness supports them.
Examples:
• Podium / qualification
• Time goals
• Placement within age group or field
Outcome Goals (0–2):
STEP 4: FILTER GOALS THROUGH THE INVENTORY
For each goal, answer:
Goal
Which Strength Supports This?
Which Limiter Could Undermine It?
What Must Be Different This Season?
STEP 5: MAP GOALS INTO SEASON STRUCTURE
Event & Season Prioritization
• Primary (AAA):
• Secondary (B+ / B):
• Development / Low Pressure (C):
Season Intent by Phase
Foundation Phase
• Focus habits:
• Key process goals:
Build Phase
• Focus habits:
• Key execution goals:
Peak / Race Phase
• Focus habits:
• Mental execution standards:
Transition / Reset Phase
• Recovery rules:
• Reflection standards:
STEP 6: DAILY & WEEKLY EXECUTION STANDARDS
Where goals actually live.
Weekly Standards
• Minimum training consistency (%):
• Communication standard:
• Recovery actions:
Non-Negotiables (from Identity Goals)
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Early Warning Signs (From Inventory Patterns)
Signals that intervention is needed.
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STEP 7: ATHLETE AGREEMENT
Athlete Commitments
“Based on my inventory, I commit to…”
STEP 8: CHECKPOINTS & RE-INVENTORY
• Mini-inventory every: ☐ 4 weeks ☐ 6 weeks ☐ 8 weeks
• Full inventory after:
• ☐ Major race
• ☐ Injury
• ☐ Season end
Rule: Adjust the plan, not the truth.