What Research Says About Motivation—Why Winning Isn’t the Top Priority for Athletes

Studies in sports psychology reveal that the inner drive to improve, the love of the game and the joy of learning often outweigh the simple desire to win. Rather than chasing external rewards like trophies or titles, many athletes find that true fulfillment comes from the journey itself.

At the heart of this perspective is the concept of intrinsic motivation. According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, people are most motivated when they feel autonomous, competent, and connected. In sports, this means that athletes who focus on mastering their skills and embracing the challenge of improvement experience deeper satisfaction. This focus on personal growth over external validation is linked to higher persistence, greater resilience, and overall enhanced well-being.

For instance, research shows that athletes who set process-oriented goals, like improving technique or increasing endurance, tend to enjoy their sport more and are likely to maintain long-term participation. The daily commitment to progress, even when the scoreboard doesn’t immediately reflect it, becomes the true reward.

Research Highlights and Further Reading

·         Self-Determination Theory: SDT provides a robust framework for understanding why the journey can be more rewarding than the destination. For a deeper dive into this theory, visit the Self-Determination Theory website.

·         Intrinsic Motivation in Sports: Articles on platforms such as Psychology Today explore how intrinsic motivation—focusing on self-improvement, learning, and the sheer joy of the game—can lead to a more fulfilling athletic experience.

When athletes focus on the process, every training session, every small improvement, and every moment of learning becomes a building block for lasting success. This approach not only improves performance but also nurtures a lifelong love of the sport. It reminds us that the satisfaction derived from constant growth, perseverance, and shared experiences is what truly drives success.

In essence, while winning is undeniably exciting, it’s the inner drive to improve and the joy found in every step of the journey that ultimately sustains an athlete’s passion. This inner drive, often referred to as intrinsic motivation, isn’t fueled by external rewards like trophies or accolades but by the satisfaction of personal growth and mastery. Self-determination theory, developed by Deci and Ryan, explains that when athletes focus on enhancing their skills and enjoying the process, they experience a deeper, more enduring form of motivation. This focus on growth over the final score not only helps in overcoming challenges but also builds resilience and a lifelong love for the sport .

Moreover, this principle holds valuable insights beyond sports. In life, too, we face challenges that can seem overwhelming if we fixate solely on the end results. Whether you’re striving for a promotion, learning a new skill, or improving personal relationships, embracing the journey allows you to celebrate small wins along the way. These small victories accumulate, much like the incremental improvements in athletic training, and they remind us that progress is a process rather than a single moment of triumph.

By appreciating every step, every training session, every setback, and every moment of progress, you learn to value the effort as much as the outcome. This approach not only reduces the pressure to win at all costs but also nurtures a healthier, more balanced perspective on success. This approach teaches us that the lessons learned in perseverance, dedication, and continual improvement are the real rewards of any journey.

For those interested in exploring these ideas further, the Self-Determination Theory website offers comprehensive insights into how intrinsic motivation drives sustained engagement and fulfillment. Additionally, platforms like Psychology Today feature accessible articles that discuss how focusing on the process rather than just the outcome can lead to greater satisfaction in both sports and everyday life.

In summary, while winning delivers an immediate thrill, it is the continuous inner drive and joy in each step of the journey that builds lasting passion and success—both on the field and in life. Embracing these principles offers valuable insights not just for sports but for life as a whole.

They walk among us

 The following is from a Facebook post by Laugh Until The Tears Run Down your legs!! 

I was at the checkout of a local Walmart. The cashier rang up $46.64 charges. I gave her a fifty dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64. I gave the money back to her and told her that she had made a mistake in MY favor. She became indignant and informed me she was educated and knew what she was doing, and she returned the money again. I gave her the money back -- same scenario! I departed the store with the $46.64.

They Walk Among Us! .....

I walked into a Starbucks with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a Grande Latte. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said 'buy one-get one free.' "They're already buy-one- get-one-free," she said, "so I guess they're both free." She handed me my free lattes, and I walked out the door.

They Walk Among Us! .....

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends,

when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!"

Someone looked up at the sky and asked, "Where?"

They Walk Among Us! .....

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north; because, he explained,

he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the north?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime; she shook her head and said, "Oh I don't keep up with all that stuff."

They Walk Among Us!! .....

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center.

One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific."

They Walk Among Us! .....

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.

They Walk Among Us! .....

My friends and I went out to buy beer and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%.

Since it was a big party, we bought two cases. The cashier multiplied two times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

They Walk Among Us! .....

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional, and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?" So I replied, "No Ma'am, The Pilot told us we're circling the airport, 3rd in line to land."

They Walk Among Us! .....

While working at a pizza place, I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone, and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into four pieces or six. He thought about it for some time before responding.

"Just cut it into four pieces. I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat six pieces."

Yep, they walk among us.... bless their hearts

Personal Coaching Lessons: Finding the Small Wins In the Game

 Whether you’re on the field or the slopes, recognize and celebrate every small victory. These little wins are the building blocks of lasting success. In sports and life, the journey to success is often paved with a series of small, meaningful victories. As both a coach and an athlete, I learned that these incremental wins are what build the foundation for lasting achievement.

Every practice session offers a chance to see progress, even if it’s not immediately visible on the scoreboard. Whether it's refining your running form on the track, perfecting a swing in softball, or even executing a well-timed move on the slopes, these subtle improvements are significant. By focusing on these small enhancements, you create a positive feedback loop that fuels further growth. Recognizing these wins helps you as an athlete understand that progress isn’t always about a dramatic, final victory; it’s about steady improvement over time.

Acknowledging small victories isn’t about inflating minor successes into grand triumphs; it’s about fostering a mindset that values the process. For example, after a tough practice, celebrating a teammate's improved technique or a personal best in a drill reinforces that every effort matters. These moments of recognition boost morale and encourage athletes to continue striving, turning everyday progress into a powerful motivational tool.

Small wins are the building blocks of confidence. When you see that even modest improvements can lead to tangible success, you gain the courage to tackle bigger challenges. This confidence not only enhances individual performance but also strengthens the overall team spirit. By celebrating these moments, you create an environment where everyone is motivated to contribute, knowing that every small step forward is a part of a larger victory.

When I coached, I felt it was important to help athletes set achievable, process-focused goals rather than solely aiming for the ultimate win. Every athlete is different as is every coach, but when was coaching, I found these ideas worked for me.

·         Setting Incremental Goals: Break down larger objectives into manageable steps. When achieved, each milestone, no matter how small, is a victory.

·         Providing Continuous Feedback: Regular, constructive feedback helps athletes recognize improvements that might otherwise go unnoticed. The feedback can come from a coach or another athlete, but it must be fact-based and specific. Saying you're doing better is not good feedback.

·         Fostering a Supportive Environment: Celebrate each success together, whether it’s improved teamwork, better endurance, or even overcoming a moment of self-doubt.

Research in sports psychology emphasizes that focusing on these small wins can sustain motivation and lead to overall success. This mindset transforms setbacks into learning opportunities and instills a resilience that lasts beyond the game.

In essence, every small win is a stepping stone to greater success. Whether on the field or the slopes, embracing these victories nurtures a spirit of continuous improvement and reminds us that the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.

The Challenge of Success Beyond Wins and Losses

With softball, despite all the years waiting to have won a championship, each game was learning to be persistent and to appreciate growth. There is no measuring success by how the game is won; it's also every opportunity for improvement. Each game was a lesson to learn, to improve, and to develop strength, things that extend far longer than the thrill of winning a championship.

Waiting for the championship win was not just waiting for the losses; waiting for knowing every swing, every pitch, and every play was a chance to grow. It was at this time that we, as a team, focused on one game at a time that we were playing. It was not about winning the championship; the focus was to win the game we were playing. Looking back, I realize that each practice was not just a reaction to the previous loss or win it was a promise of continued improvement.

Research in sports psychology has shown that when athletes focus on themselves getting better and learning from every experience, they create an attitude that helps them overcome obstacles on and off the pitch.

Over the years, I have learned that my experience in sports has taught me that success is not always determined by the final score, as in life. The training, the honing of skills, and even the losing are where the real growth takes place. Each practice session and each game taught lessons that no trophy could ever contain. These lessons have shown me that improvement is a series of small, incremental moves and every chance to do better is a win in itself.

What's wonderful about being involved with any sport is that every competition, event or game is a page in a larger book of personal and team development. When my teammates and I went on the field, we were not playing to win; we were playing to play for each other. When I coached, I used that same attitude to change the perception of competition on the part of my players. Winning was not about the destination anymore, but about the lessons we learned along the way, the effort put in, and the progress made with every next game, with the victories being a bonus.

Ultimately, the measure of success past victory and defeat is to embrace the process. It's the understanding that though victory is satisfying, the loveliness of sport lies in the daily toil and the small victories that lead to step-by-step improvement. The game doesn't end with the final whistle; the real learning is embedded in every practice session, every setback, and every forward step.

In expressing these ideas, I hope to make you realize that the value of the journey is worth as much as the destination. Success, in its truest form, is the sum of all the little improvements and the knowledge that we acquire along the way, a philosophy that not only produces better athletes but makes our lives better.