The Moment When Self-Motivation Takes Over
Coaches are constantly pushing their athletes to do what it takes to get better. In practice athletes are required to listen to their coach and do what they’re told no matter how difficult the challenge gets. However, once practice is over that duty to listen ends. Everything done outside of practice is optional.
Coaches give recommendations for homework, and it’s the athlete’s choice to do it or not. A coach’s homework could be anything from doing extra pull-ups or push-ups at home, watching film, working on conditioning, eating a certain diet or icing an injury.
Typically coaches can’t check an athlete’s homework, and the athlete knows this. Therefore, most athletes don’t do the coach’s homework. Yet, there are a few who do.
For those that do, there was a moment in their past when self-motivation took over. It was the moment when they thought to themselves how hard and boring coach’s homework would be, but still made a choice to do it anyway. They made a connection between their goals and the homework. It’s this connection that provides the self-motivation to do something that’s not fun, but benefits you in the long run.
This connection is only found once the desire for a goal outweighs the desire for immediate gratification. In addition, it’s only found when a choice is given. A coach or parent can’t persuade or coerce this choice either. This choice has to come from within.