The Characteristics of High Performing Athletes
This article talks about the characteristics of “High Performing Athletes.” To reach the top in any field (sport, business etc.), requires a range of attributes. In terms of athletes much will be down to a combination of ability, commitment to training and as we have detailed in previous articles…Self-belief!
“It doesn't matter what your background is and where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that's all that matters." - Serena Williams, professional tennis player and 21 Grand Slams
For the purpose of this article, we do not look at nutrition/diet/sleep patterns etc.…Simply the characteristics drawn from research of leading athletes over a number of years. In terms of modelling excellence, it’s important to look at the characteristics of the greatest sportspeople in the area where we want to personally excel, compare to our own, and then measure the “step change” …How to get there.
When reading the points highlighted below, look back on the previous articles…You will get guidance on to make the changes.
1. Self-Confidence…The belief in yourself, not arrogance. Belief is something that you can develop. Belief can also be developed by doing everything necessary in terms of preparation ahead of an event…Nothing left to chance.
2. The ability to set realistic and meaningful Goals…Without Goals, we have no motivation. Goals need to be personal to you, but which drive you to succeed. They constantly need reviewing and should be developed with your Coach.
3. Self-Discipline…There are many distractions around us. It’s no secret that those that succeed have the self-discipline and focus to shut out distractions on focus on what needs to happen.
4. Optimism…Linked to point number (1), but part of a process. Being an optimist (a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something) is part of the process to drive Self-Confidence.
5. A willingness to learn…You cannot succeed on your own. The ability to take on board new learnings and techniques while taking advice and constructive criticism…Similarly a desire and hunger to ask questions.
6. The ability to manage stress…Stress can cause a feeling of debilitation, but elite athletes have to deal with this regularly. High-performing athletes have ways to handle stress…To park the worry and deal with the task at hand. We will look at this in our next blog.
7. A focused mentality…This focus allows the athlete to not be distracted by day-to-day issues, but to remain focused on the task in hand and the end Goal.
8. Recognise the journey. Trust the coach and the process, recognizing that success is a series of building blocks that will take you to where you plan to get to.
9. Resilience…The ability to learn from and bounce back from disappointments…Injury, results etc.
10. Perfection…This may appear strange, as while perfection is the ultimate holy grail, it is in many ways impossible to achieve. The key though is the constant striving to achieve…Nothing less than your best!
11. Risk taker…The confidence to do the unexpected when least expected…To steal a march on someone
12. Smile…We must end with this! Smiling releases serotine…A natural chemical that makes us feel better…And it always helps to smile at adversity…And face it head on!
Once we know the makeup of elite athletes, we can measure ourselves against the twelve areas. By working on each of these will improve you as an athlete and your performance.
The hard miles are only part of your success. Work on the other key areas too!
"I don't think about the miles that are coming down the road, I don't think about the mile I'm on right now, I don't think about the miles I've already covered. I think about what I'm doing right now, just being lost in the moment." - Ryan Hall, U.S. Olympic marathoner