There is no one size fits all solution for self-motivation.  It’s much easier to be an effective coach when you 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 making progress. Another type of athlete may need the context of a realistic step-by-step plan to find their self-motivation. And yet another type of athlete may need a well thought out purpose statement to find their self-motivation.

The more coaches understand what innately makes an athlete tick the better they can help them develop their self-motivation. This requires a process. A process that I am more than willing to help any coach execute.

My Approach for Helping Athlete’s Find their Self-Motivation

When I first start working with an athlete, I start by talking to their parents, coaches, and teachers to learn about their behaviors using the Strengths Based Parenting approach.

1. Yearning: What activities or environments is the athlete repeatedly drawn to or eager to try?
2. Rapid learning: What new skills or activities does the athlete pick up quickly and easily?
3. Satisfaction: When is the athlete most enthusiastic and fulfilled?  Which activities is he or she excited about doing again and again?
4. Timelessness: When does the athlete become so engrossed that he or she seems to lose track of time?

The next step is to understand which one of the 5 big personality traits they best fit.

1. Openness: Known for their curiosity, imagination, and ingenuity.
2. Conscientiousness: Go getters with strong organization and execution skills. May have a tendency for perfectionism and being controlling.
3. Extroversion: Distinctly positive and have the potential for leadership due to their outgoing, energetic, and talkative traits.
4. Agreeableness: The quintessential team player due to their preference for cooperation. Typically behaves in a manner that’s considerate, generous, forgiving and trusting.
5. Neuroticism: Performs at the extremes with high highs and low lows due to being driven by emotions. Influenced by negativity and anxiety more than others.

Then I combine what I learn from these two approaches to categorize a child’s primary form of self-motivation into 1 of 9 types:

1. Autonomy – Doesn’t like being told what to do and has a need to be self-reliant.
2. Competence – Wants to show mastery and craves moments to demonstrate their expertise in front of others.
3. Social Bonding – Needs to build relationships with others and pursue goals with friends.
4. Social Status – Must establish social significance and wants to be the “alpha” in their social circle.
5. Accomplishment – Loves planning and constantly wants to feel like they are making progress.
6. Knowledge – Wants to always keep learning new things and expanding their expertise.
7. Excitement – Needs to stimulate their emotions by taking on new and thrilling experiences.
8. Challenge – Must have purpose and seeks opportunities to push themselves and others beyond perceived limitations.
9. Creativity – Doesn’t like monotonous activities and needs to have a way to express their uniqueness.

Finally, using these 9 categories of self-motivation, I develop a custom plan and process to pursue goals that takes advantage of the athlete’s unique strengths and motivations to optimize their potential for inevitable success.

To find out more about how I can help develop an athlete’s self-motivation, please contact me here.