Even the most carefully planned goals do not always unfold as expected.
Unexpected circumstances, setbacks, and changes in the environment can easily disrupt a plan that once seemed clear.
Shohei Ohtani understands this reality well.
Although he rarely speaks publicly about specific statistical targets—such as a certain number of wins or home runs—he has always believed that having a clear goal is essential.
At the same time, he emphasizes something equally important:
what you do when that goal becomes difficult or impossible to achieve.
During his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, there was a moment when one of his personal goals became unreachable. The disappointment was significant, and he admitted that his spirit was deeply shaken.
But then the team suddenly found itself in a position to compete for the championship.
At that point, Ohtani shifted his focus.
Instead of dwelling on the lost personal goal, he set a new one—helping the team win the title.
That change in perspective helped him recover mentally and refocus his energy.
A similar situation occurred during his years with the Los Angeles Angels.
In several seasons, the team’s playoff hopes disappeared early—sometimes as soon as July or August.
When that happens, many players struggle to maintain motivation.
Ohtani, however, redirected his focus again.
Rather than thinking about team results that were no longer within reach, he concentrated on his own growth as both a pitcher and a hitter, pouring all his effort into improving his performance.
When a team or an individual loses their goal entirely, momentum often disappears.
But according to Ohtani, the key to avoiding that decline is simple:
When one goal becomes impossible, set another one.
That ability to adjust and redefine his purpose is one of the reasons he continues to perform at an elite level year after year.
Source
This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.
KADOKAWA Special Edition: Shohei Ohtani Feature, p.182