Coaches and Trainers What Motivates Your Clients
Motivation is the direction and intensity with which someone does something. If athletes and exercisers don’t have direction and intensity than the intention to follow through won’t be there.
Intrinsic versus extrinsic
Motivation is broken down into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Some intrinsic rewards for participation include: having fun and feeling satisfied. Some extrinsic rewards for participation include: trophies, approval and medals. Athletes and exercisers
The importance of intrinsic motivation
In intrinsic motivation, a person participates for the sheer joy of participating. Experiences that provide fun also provide the motive to continue to participate. People are intrinsically motivated in particular to do something they like. For example, if a person really likes cycling she will be more motivated to cycle.
It’s always best to participate in activities that you enjoy so you are intrinsically motivated.
Transforming extrinsic to intrinsic
If you have an athlete or an exerciser who is extrinsically motivated I would suggest that what you do first is to try and help them feel successful, in control and find ways for them to have fun.
You can transform extrinsic motivation into intrinsic but it’s a slippery slope! In extrinsic motivation the theory is, rewarding a behavior increases the probability that the behavior will be repeated and punishing a behavior decreases the possibility that it will be repeated. However, once a need is satisfied, it is no longer a goal and loses its power to reward. The more extrinsic rewards a person gets, the less need there is for the same type of reward.
1.Administer an initially powerful extrinsic reward
2.Experiencing initial success; the extrinsic rewards help make an athlete feel more competent.
3.Coach nurtures the development of intrinsic motivation by letting the athlete know that extrinsic rewards are not the ultimate reward but that feeling satisfied with accomplishments are the greater reward.
When extrinsic rewards are offered in such a way that athletes perceive the rewards are being used to control them, intrinsic motivation is likely to be undermined.
Building motivation
When attempting to enhance motivation it’s important to consider personal and environmental factors because both of these play a large role in determining motivation or lack of it. It’s easier to change the situation than the needs and personalities of the participants.
The following is a list of some things to consider when dealing with motivational challenges:
- Understand why your athletes and exercisers are participating
- Help them set realistic goals which provides several opportunities to be successful
- Learn to use positive reinforcement appropriately
- Ask your athletes and exercisers to be a part of the process in decision making
- Incorporate workouts that athletes and exercisers will really enjoy
- Place emphasize on the process rather than the outcome
- Monitor and alter the way feedback is provided
- Assess and correct participants inappropriate perception of themselves
- Enhance feelings of competence and control
One of the major goals of multisport participation is to determine what factors maximize participation and performance. Motivation is one of those factors that is important to understand so you can help promote the probability that a person will sustain their active lifestyle throughout their life.
For questions about motivation contact me: drmichelle@drmichellecleere.com
Happy Wednesday!
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: photosteve101
