This is a great article for anyone interested in competing or in improving themselves in anyway. It is set in the context of sport shooting but in reality it applies to anything in life. Just change the words 'shooting' and 'range' with 'grappling' and 'gym' and it applies perfectly.
Essentially consider that there is a difference between goals and desired outcomes and so it is important to focus on what you can control not what you can't. For example if I say to myself I want to win Gold at the 2016 Pan Pacific Championships, that isn't a goal, it is a desire. It is also something that I can't really impact on by setting it as a goal. However, I can set as goals which will have an impact on my chances of winning gold...
I can:
* Attend every training session
* Ensure my Nutrition is on point
* Listen to my coaches direction
* Be disciplined with my rest days
* Practice self-motivational techniques
These are all in my power and will make me a better grappler and competitor, and it is being a better grappler and competitor that will get me the gold.
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/5/24/shoot-holes-in-your-goals/