Engines of motivation

There are many sources of motivation and behavior in modern sports.

Engines of motivation

There are many sources of motivation and behavior in modern sport. But which incentives we focus our attention on has a key role in the performance and the very experience of emotion in sports. Although the desire to win and perform without error sound like universal basic values of the sports society, they hide a "trap" in themselves, which on the one hand leads to poor performance, and on the other is a reason for bad mood and even giving up

What are the drivers of your motivation?

Let's first start with the meaning of the word motivation. It is the driving force towards achieving certain goals.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can also be defined as intrinsic drivers leading to intrinsic rewards and extrinsic incentives leading to extrinsic rewards. It is very likely that the more motivational incentives we have –– the more likely we are to take action and continue to act. Coaches can do their best by helping their athletes and racers to explore as many incentives and rewards as possible to get them to act and be active. Here are some examples of intrinsic drives: joy, experience, connection, values, identity, mastery, spirituality, emotions, family and friends, and here are some examples of external incentives: performance, profit, leaderboards, statistics, trophies or money (if applicable). All of the above can be used for motivation. The problem in competitive arenas is the fixation on extrinsic stimuli such as: "We must place" and "We must win" which have become the standard bearers of motivational speeches.

Extrinsic motivation story

That I like to share with the athletes I work with is about a pensioner who liked to take a nap at lunchtime. Unfortunately for him, however, at that time a noisy group of boys was gathering in the playground in front of his house, who were playing their football match.

The wise old gentleman decided to deal with this problem in an intelligent way. He went down to the field and gave each boy 10 bucks to shout louder. The boys happily began to slit their throats.

The next day the situation was repeated, only this time the elderly gentleman gave each boy 5 bucks. This time the boys were more moderate in their communication with each other.

On the third day, the pensioner came out onto the field and visibly worried said to the boys: "Boys, I saw how hard you shouted, you tried even yesterday when I gave you less money. But I'm a pensioner and I've run out of money and I won't be able to pay for your shouting today.'

Disappointed, the boys said: "If you don't have money, we are not shouting anymore." The old man turned towards home with a smile on his face.

In reality, the motivation has many names. There are many things that can motivate athletes, even the best in the world. Things to make them be the best version of themselves day after day and season after season.

In Bulgaria, the victory is raised on a pedestal. A monument before which all bow. It is a symbol of success and criteria for whether you are qualified or not. Winning has become a source of confidence and self-esteem, and that's good when you win, but when you lose it's a source of disappointment and failed careers.

What does the problem of fixation on external incentives lead to? On the one hand, they are transformed into expectations, goals to achieve and, accordingly, into tension due to the fear of not achieving them. Why fear? When these expectations for victory, for ranking are not realized, disappointment occurs (to oneself, from the coach, audience, media, management, sponsors). Tons and tons of tension that pours lead into the legs of the competitors, especially in responsible and decisive matches.

Instead, I recommend that the athletes I work with to focus on small tasks, process goals that are easily achievable by the athlete, well understood, and related to their role on the field.

"Completing small tasks leads to better performance, joy, mastery, and overall a lot of intrinsic motivation."

One of the examples I present is the basketball coach John Wooden, called the greatest coach of all time. During his 12-year tenure as head coach, he won ten national championships, seven of which were consecutive. What is even more impressive is 88 consecutive victories.

Source: viasport.bg/

The basis of these successes has not been external incentives such as victory, which in this case appears as a happy by-product, but his players performing at their best in everything they do. It is the focus on process goals and small tasks related to the role of the field that change the game from its foundations.

While the extrinsic incentives of winning, scoring a certain number of points, or wanting to perform flawlessly and failing to do so play a negative role in an athlete's self-esteem and confidence, John Wooden's philosophy provides a new wealth. Focus on doing your best. This is a reason to walk out of the match with your head held high and your self-esteem high, because you carry with you the knowledge that you gave your best. That's the fuel that keeps you going the next day to keep fighting to achieve your dreams.

What are your motivation drivers!?

Author: Stoycho Kodzhabashev, sports psychologist.