Thrive
[Video] Motivation – tips from professional athletes
Motivation is a key factor when it comes to reaching your goals. In this video, I talk about motivation, alongside fellow athletes Will Bayley and Nile Wilson. We share our tips for finding your motivation, and what to do when the going gets tough. Watch the video below or read on to find out more.
When I was born, doctors told my mom and dad that I would never walk. Sport for me just didn't exist growing up. Everywhere I went, I just got told as a person with a disability, sport is not for you.
Will Bayley:
I can't play in the school football team. I can't play in the rugby team. I can't play in the tennis team. I can't play in the table tennis team just because I've got a disability, that happened all through my life. That creates a certain chip on your shoulder where you always have to prove yourself.
Nile Wilson:
I was a very clumsy child. I'd trip over my own shadow, so my parents took me along to a local gymnastics class, just to learn how to fall, learn some special awareness. Motivation wasn't really something that I'd thought about. I wanted to improve. I wanted to grow up.
Hannah Cockroft:
My sport has made me accept my disability and accept who I am essentially. And it's only since getting involved with sport that I've realized how far I can actually push my body. And I think that's my motivation now there's something that my body can do that everybody else's can't.
Will Bayley:
I just wake up every day and I'm fired up because I know that I'm lucky to have this situation. I feel like I'm lucky to be here. I had a trial drug when I was seven years old to keep me alive. Every day is a bonus so I've got to make the most of today. I don't think I can say every day is perfect. Every day is a different challenge and just take it day by day.
Nile Wilson:
I didn't wait for that feeling of motivation to push myself from stepping out of my comfort zone because I wanted to achieve this huge thing.
Hannah Cockroft:
Set yourself small achievable goals. I've been in the chair and for seven years of my career, I chased a sub 17 second time in the 100 meters. I couldn't get it. And every year I didn't get it. I was just getting more and more downhearted to the point where I was like, "I'm never going to get this. I can't physically do this." But actually when I looked at the little things I was doing in training like, oh my 800 meter time is getting loads quicker though. Or my start is a load quicker or I've learned to push a new chair or in a new pair of gloves.
Will Bayley:
I try and be around people that make me feel good for as much as I can. It definitely helps.
Hannah Cockroft:
Motivate yourself with something that excites you and you actually want to do. I don't always want to get up and go for a long push. What do you want to do? Do you want to do some yoga? Do you want to go for a walk with a friend? Do you want to go swimming? You're totally free. Just do what you enjoy.
Will Bayley:
I want to make my family proud. I want to prove people wrong, but I have got perspective because life is really precious and to enjoy every day.
Hannah Cockroft:
I have days all the time where I don't want to do this. A lot of the time it's literally just guilt tripping myself. Like "Oh, my biggest rival is out there doing a session and I'm not. I'm laying in bed, I better get up, I better get it done."
Will Bayley:
I've been lucky I think, I've had a lot of setbacks in my life. It's given me a lot of fight. It's given me a lot of desire to improve and to be better so every setback I get I see as a challenge. I don't see setbacks as a bad thing.
Nile Wilson:
I think it's important to try and figure out your journey where you want to go, what you want to achieve. And also think about when you've pushed yourself, you've stepped out of your comfort zone. You've been disciplined enough to work hard, even when you didn't want to. That's euphoric.
Key points from the video
Personal experiences
Hannah Cockroft
When I was born, doctors told my mum and dad that I would never walk. Sport for me just didn't exist growing up. Everywhere I went I just got told that, as a person with a disability, sport is not for you.
My sport has made me accept my disability and accept who I am. And it's only since getting involved with sport that I've realised how far I can actually push my body. I think that's my motivation now. There's something that my body can do that everybody else's can't.
Will Bayley
I can't play in the school football team. I can't play in the rugby team. I can't play in the tennis team. I can't play in the table tennis team. Just because I've got a disability. That happened all through my life. That creates a certain chip on your shoulder where you always have to prove yourself.
I just wake up every day and I'm fired up because I know that I'm lucky to have this situation. I feel like I'm lucky to be here. I took a trial drug when I was seven years old just to keep me alive. Every day is a bonus, so I've got to make the most of today. I don't think I can say every day is perfect. Every day is a different challenge and I just take it day by day.
Nile Wilson
I was a very clumsy child. I'd trip over my own shadow, so my parents took me along to a local gymnastics class, just to learn how to fall, and to learn some spatial awareness. Motivation wasn't really something that I'd thought about. I wanted to improve. I wanted to grow.
I didn't wait for that feeling of motivation to push myself from stepping out of my comfort zone because I wanted to achieve this huge thing.
Athletes’ tips for staying motivated
Define your goal
It's important to try and figure out your journey and where you want to go. Think about what it is that you want to achieve. Make it specific and as clear as you can.
Set small achievable goals
When you’re working towards a goal it’s easy to feel downhearted if it feels like you’re not getting there as quickly as you’d like to. So, set yourself smaller achievable goals and build up to a bigger one. Progress takes time – take it step by step.
Notice every little improvement
Notice all the small ways you’re improving. Maybe you’re getting quicker, stronger and have more stamina with each training session. Taking time to acknowledge these small wins along the way will help you stay motivated to achieve that bigger end goal.
Surround yourself with positive people
Being around people who inspire you and make you feel good can really help. Maybe partner up with a buddy to train or share your progress with others. Surrounding yourself with positivity can give you the boost you need.
Do something that excites you
Motivate yourself with something that excites you and that you actually want to do. Do you want to do some yoga? Do you want to go for a walk with a friend? Do you want to go swimming? You're totally free. Just do what you enjoy.
Take stock
Try and keep perspective. Remember that life is really precious and to enjoy every day.
Think about your future self
Motivation doesn’t always show up when you want it to. There will be lots of times when you may not feel like working on your goal. One trick is to think about your future self – do it for them. You’ll feel great when you’ve done it.
Another tip is to think about the other people who are out there training – it will help you get out of bed to achieve your goal.
See challenges, not setbacks
We all have things that come up to throw us off course. But try to see these as challenges and not setbacks. You can work through them and come out the other side. Your mindset can really help you progress.
Be proud of yourself
Remember to give yourself praise when you've pushed yourself, and you've stepped out of your comfort zone. You've been disciplined enough to work hard, even when you didn't want to. That's a fantastic feeling.
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