Motivation: to become the most that one can be!

The comforts and conveniences of modern life have come to mollycoddle us so much that the excitement of battling the elements of human endeavour has almost been drained from our daily lives. So much so that we vaguely dislike ourselves for it and so crave for physical challenges. 

Triathlon represents a way to place some excitement into our lives, to strengthen our resolve both mentally and physically. The end goal is to go the whole course and complete a triathlon from start to finish and conquer our internal weakness that tempts us to quit.

Whether a weekend warrior looking to test their endurance and strength, a fitness triathlete needing a goal to work towards or a young starlet aspiring to be the next Olympian, they all need the same thing: ‘Motivation’.

Simply put, motivation is ‘enthusiasm for doing something’ to become the most that one can be!​​​

Whether we define it as a drive or a need, motivation is a condition inside us that desires a change in ourselves. Motivation supplies us with the drive and direction needed to engage with the challenges of a sport such as Triathlon. In other words, motivation is a process. It’s the crucial element in setting and attaining our objectives.

American psychologist Abraham Maslow introduced a better understanding of motivation within his ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ where he outlined that humans are inherently motivated to better themselves and move toward expressing their full potential —self-actualization. Maslow (1943) describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be.

This need and desire – to become the most one can be – is why Double Olympic Champion Alistar Brownlee and say a newbie triathlete have the same hierarchy of needs. They are both motivated to become everything they are capable of becoming in terms of achievement, mastery, dignity and respect from others (e.g. status, prestige). Both are champions in their own right!

A triathlete’s motivations will change and evolve as they age. Under 25 athletes may have the singular focus of qualifying for a European or World Championship race whereas the under 50’s might be content with finishing a half-Ironman in under seven hours.But it is of no consequence, whatever level or age group you are, each and every one of us has an untapped energy source that can be drawn upon to bring about a personal best. Enhancing motivation is fundamentally about a change of attitude, developing a positive ‘can do’ mindset and engaging in systematic behaviours – the short-term process goals – that facilitate improvement.

But it is our long-term focus goal that is the secret to what motivates us the most to achieve – our dream – our ultimate goal. From racing in a particular race to winning a specific race this long-term focus comes from us knowing our purpose – our reason(s) behind our need and desire to achieve our dream. It’s our purpose and reasons that will drive and motivate us to start training at 5:00am, to jump into a cold swimming pool or get on the road to cycle on a chilly morning or to push ourselves harder on the run in the mid-day sun.

To achieve our dream, it is important that levels of motivation are internally driven. You will need compelling internal reasons for achieving your goals, because if they’re determined by or rely upon outside influences, such as family praise or a personal coach forcing you to do it, your motivation could soon wither and die and with it the reason for training and racing as everything becomes a Grind and too darned hard.

It is motivation that drives Paralympians to overcome their difficulties however big or small, to work better, to try harder, to train longer to succeed when others have said they cannot. Their Herculean achievements are not just taught or learnt, their accomplishments are characterised with high levels of motivations, being able to cope effectively with setbacks and being focused on their goals. They have the innate ability to maintain motivation and confidence over a large period of time which is vital for success.

 Motivation, is not something that can be given to you. Rather, motivation must ultimately come from within. You must have an epic need to participate in Triathlon and equally important ‘You have to want it really bad’.