As a collegiate coach, I understand the value of having a group of players that can out-work every other team. The teams responsible for turning Swarthmore College Men’s soccer team into a successful program valued the importance of fitness. In these rebuilding years, the players respected physical fitness and embraced the mindset that nobody would work harder than us on the field.
An athlete’s approach to working out can have profound effects on the field. We all know athletes that fall on the far ends of the workout spectrum and everywhere in between. Some players seem to have unending energy and an amazing level of dedication and an unmatched work ethic. Some players seem sluggish and unmotivated. What can you do if you are not the most dedicated to working out? One problem is to focus solely on the physical aspect of training. The problem is that the decision to work out is a mental, not a physical process. Too many athletes fail to consider the mental factors influencing the decision to go out in the heat, when you are tired or sore, when it is raining, or when you just don’t feel like it. I suggest all athletes examine what runs through their head during the times of both high and low motivation. Most athletes would begin to find thought patterns. The thought patterns that often result in getting the hard work done typically surround imagining having that perfect game, lowering your time in the fitness run, contributing to a championship, earning that starting spot, being faster/stronger/better than others, or scoring that brilliant goal that leaves everyone talking. The thought patterns that often result in the decision not to do anything typically surround the pain and suffering of the workout itself or having thoughts that the workout isn’t going to be very helpful.
If you are a serious athlete who wants to develop a better work ethic, I suggest you begin the process of self-analyzing your workout related thoughts. Then if you are serious about making a change, contact me.
An athlete’s approach to working out can have profound effects on the field. We all know athletes that fall on the far ends of the workout spectrum and everywhere in between. Some players seem to have unending energy and an amazing level of dedication and an unmatched work ethic. Some players seem sluggish and unmotivated. What can you do if you are not the most dedicated to working out? One problem is to focus solely on the physical aspect of training. The problem is that the decision to work out is a mental, not a physical process. Too many athletes fail to consider the mental factors influencing the decision to go out in the heat, when you are tired or sore, when it is raining, or when you just don’t feel like it. I suggest all athletes examine what runs through their head during the times of both high and low motivation. Most athletes would begin to find thought patterns. The thought patterns that often result in getting the hard work done typically surround imagining having that perfect game, lowering your time in the fitness run, contributing to a championship, earning that starting spot, being faster/stronger/better than others, or scoring that brilliant goal that leaves everyone talking. The thought patterns that often result in the decision not to do anything typically surround the pain and suffering of the workout itself or having thoughts that the workout isn’t going to be very helpful.
If you are a serious athlete who wants to develop a better work ethic, I suggest you begin the process of self-analyzing your workout related thoughts. Then if you are serious about making a change, contact me.
RSS Feed
