Two Basic Fundamentals to Understand About Self-Motivation in Athletes
Coaches and parents are constantly pushing their athletes to do what it takes to get better. However, pushing an athlete to get better has limits. History shows that pushing an athlete too much is more likely than not to backfire. Therefore, the ultimate goal is to develop a self-motivated athlete.
For some athletes this self-motivation comes natural. For others, developing self-motivation requires coaches and parents to be very intentional in their approach. With that said, there are two basic fundamentals all coaches and parents should understand to serve as the foundation for helping any athlete develop self-motivation.
1) Carrot and Stick Motivation Only Works in the Short Run
Carrot and stick motivation is motivation that uses external pressure or the promise of reward. This type of external motivation often does work, but only in promoting short term behavior. If you need something done one time and one time only, carrot and stick motivation might be the best option.
However, if a behavior has long term consequences coaches and parents should avoid using carrot and stick motivation at all cost.
2) Self-Motivation Looks Different in Different Types of People
There is no one size fits all solution for self-motivation. It’s much easier to be an effective coach or parent when you can tailor your approach to fit an athlete’s unique personality and strengths.
Some athletes find their self-motivation when they have autonomy over what they do. Others find their self-motivation when they can easily see themselves continually getting better or making progress. In addition, another type of athlete may need the context of a realistic step-by-step plan that connects with a purpose statement to find their self-motivation.
In short, the more you understand what innately makes an athlete tick the better you can help them develop their self-motivation.