Welcome back to Mental Toughness Monday, the show where we explore the challenges of coaching and the psychology of young athletes. Today, we’re discussing Motivational Deterrents – the roadblocks that can trip us up on our journey to success. Let’s jump in.

We’re all familiar with comparison, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations, right? These are the big three that can derail our motivation train. Let’s talk about why they’re so tricky.

Imagine your brain as an ancient hunter-gatherer, always on the lookout for danger. This is where our friend, the amygdala, comes in. It’s great for survival but not so much for clear thinking under stress. Like that time my house alarm went off at 2:47 a.m., and I narrowly missed an intruder because I was so disoriented. I wasn’t thinking straight, and it could have led to my own disaster. It’s a classic example of how strong emotions can cloud our judgment.

Ralph Vernacchia said about athletes: ‘The better an athlete gets, the more he or she may fail.’ As you approach your peak, each improvement is smaller, making it harder to notice your wins and easier to dwell on the misses.

Take Patrick Fishburn, a golfer I work with. He climbed from the 90s in ranking to 26th on the Korn Ferry Tour, just by improving 0.2 strokes per round. But that’s not the end of the story. Patrick recently got his PGA tour card in 2023, improving his average strokes per round from 69.75 to 68.96. That’s just 0.79 strokes better, but it made all the difference.

So, what’s the lesson here? When progress is subtle, it’s tempting to fall into the traps of comparison, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations. These motivational deterrents can cloud our view and dampen our spirits. But, we need tools to combat them.

Here’s what I suggest: First, embrace small victories. They add up over time. Second, understand that perfection is a myth; focus on continuous improvement instead. And finally, set realistic expectations. It’s not about being the best overnight; it’s about being a little better each day.

So, coaches, as you mentor your young athletes, help them navigate these roadblocks. Teach them that it’s okay not to be perfect and that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

Thanks for tuning in to Mental Toughness Monday. Join us next week as we continue to delve into the minds of athletes and uncover the secrets to building resilient teams. Don’t forget to subscribe, and remember, every Monday is an opportunity to grow stronger together!

– Riley Jensen