Athletes need goals the way the rest of us need a watch or a sat-nav.  Without them, they wouldn't know what day it was or where they were going next.

For athletes, setting goals is their route-map to success.  

If an athlete sets a goal to win or compete in a certain tournament, then they have something to focus on.  And they can start on their journey towards achieving that goal.

But goals are important in all aspects of life, as the champions will tell you...