Determination and Motivation
So in your self evaluation you rated yourself a 4 for determination but believe you are capable of reaching a level of 9. Im going to assist you on implementing some psychological skills training techniques that will allow you to improve you determination and mental toughness (Lesyk, 1998). You defined determination as the ‘Ability to train as I want to play’ and motivation as the ‘ Ability to want to train and do the 1% things for the team.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqKEApq60ic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfOU2ZJGpw
You have stated that you believe the mental aspect of performance is very important yet you do not train these mental skills. We are going to develop a program that will include these skills in your training regime. This webpage will be your guide to improving your motivation and determination, the other pages will guide you through your goal setting and concentration.
There are various strategies and techniques that can aid you in improving your mental toughness and determination. We can undergo cognitive based strategy which will improve your determination by changing your thought patterns (Weinberg & Gould 2011) . This will change the way you think about what training is and does for you. We don’t want to see you going through the motions saying aww I have to go to training again tonight. We want you to be excited to train and experience with your teammates.
We will also implement the use of imagery (Weinberg & Gould 2011). Imagery is an important mental skill in sports. It is the ability to use your imagination to see yourself in certain situations. It will not only improve your determination and motivation but can be used for most psychological skills.
I want you to imagine the feeling you would receive playing alongside your teammates and friends in championship matches, winning weekly and the feeling of belonging in a team. The feelings you should be imagining are joy and ecstasy, this is what you can achieve as a team if you are motivated, determined and have the mental toughness to reach it.
Goal setting has already been implemented into your psychological skills training for improvement. However improving your goal setting ability will also have effects on your determination and motivation (Hersey & Blanchard, 1988). The more short term goals you set the more you will achieve. This feeling of achievement will increase your willingness to improve and play.
Another great use of goal setting is also its effect on your motivation. As you have been taught to implement SMART goals from the Goal Setting page on this website (Hersey & Blanchard, 1988). Short term goals are designed to help increase your motivation. I’m sure you have been learning this throughout your goal setting program and training. Use your goals as a challenge or a way to stay focused, determined and motivated and not just a way to improve performance.
The psychological skills training methods I talk to you about today should be implemented into your daily training regime and should be used for 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week minimum (Weinberg & Gould 2011). Your performance may not increase instantly, but like any improvements the greater you practice these techniques the greater the improvements in your performance. Keep implementing and improving these techniques throughout your training and if you have any queries or questions come and see me.
Reference list;
- BROOKFIELD, D. (2009) Psychological Skills Training Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article001.htm [Accessed 10/10/2013]
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Hersey, P, Blanchard K 1988, Management of Organisational Behaviour, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey
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Jeff H, Motivation Determination Driven < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfOU2ZJGpw>
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Lesyk J, 1998, The Nine Mental Skills of Successful Athletes, Ohio Center for Sport Psychology, <https://www.sportpsych.org/nine-mental-skills-overview>
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Lewis R, Determination, Motivation, Inspiration, Heavy in the Game, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqKEApq60ic>
- Weinberg, R Gould, D 2011, Foundation of sport and exercise psychology, 5th edn, Human Kinetics, United States of America.