Motivation requires both passion and a goal. It doesn't matter if you're coming back from an injury, competing in your first race or attempting to win an olympic medal, everyone can suffer from motivational lags from time to time.
It can be incredibly frustrating, especially as these often occur when you hit hurdles in your training but it's important to understand that it is completely normal and there are some simple things that you can implement to help keep those motivational lags at bay.
Approach to Training
Your approach to training, setbacks and failures is what will either help you or hinder you in maintaining motivation and being consistent in your training.
“The man who loves walking will walk further than the man who loves the destination. When you fall in love with the journey, the milestones and goals happen as a consequence”
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Look for ways to stay motivated and inspired as you pursue your big picture goals. Motivation is the fuel that drives everyone, not just athletes, to accomplish feats they never could have imagined. It is also crucial for keeping yourself on track when you inevitably encounter obstacles and bumps along the way - it is what keeps people in the ‘fast lane’ to their goal.
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A minor setback or a bad training session/performance is an opportunity to make a major comeback. Utilising this approach will help you bounce back higher and stronger, be determined rather than discouraged and keep you pushing relentlessly and confidently towards your goals.
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Make training FUN. Having fun whilst training is the best approach to enjoying every session and wanting to come back for the next one which is especially important when you hit training hurdles and setbacks.
Build the right team
Building the right team, a team of ‘excellence’ around you is a great way of helping you avoid motivational lags and decreases in performance.
“ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” - African Proverb
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Having training buddies and surrounding yourself with positive people who push you, encourage you and keep you focussed is a great way of keeping those low motivation days at bay.
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Don't be afraid of sharing your goals with the friends and teammates you know will support you, they will help keep you accountable.
The mental grind of training and competing is often just as taxing as the physical exercise. Having the right approach to your training and having the right team around you is a great way of ensuring that you set yourself up for success and are less susceptible to those motivational lags that we have all suffered in the past.
