Motivation is often hailed as the most significant factor for athletes to attain, and maintain, sustained levels of excellence. It’s clearly a key cog in the wheel of success, so what exactly is it? Essentially, motivation is a theoretical construct which is used to explain someone’s behaviour. It provides the reason for people’s actions, desires, and needs, and causes a person to want to repeat a behaviour. Furthermore, it emanates from two distinct motivational sources - intrinsic and extrinsic drive. Intrinsic motivation If someone is intrinsically motivated, they are internally driven. They have a self-desire to discover the unknown, to seek out new challenges, to evaluate their own abilities, to gain new knowledge and to enhance their skills. This source of motivation exists within the individual. Athletes who are intrinsically motivated play their sport for the sheer love of it, training because they find it fun, enjoying the process of growth and self-improvement. “The best form of motivation always comes from within.” - Michael Johnson When intrinsically driven, motivation levels are more stable, longer lasting, and self-sustaining. Athletes tend to possess higher levels of task-focus, and experience greater task satisfaction. They have reduced levels of stress after making mistakes, and are more likely to have increased confidence, self-efficacy, and creativity. Extrinsic motivation At the opposite end of the motivational spectrum is extrinsic drive i.e. performing an activity in order to attain a desired reward or outcome. When athletes are extrinsically motivated, their drive comes from external influences, and they are incentivised either by receiving positive or negative consequences. Training to get into a team (or to stay in a team), practicing because of the expectations of others, and playing for financial reward (or to win trophies etc.) are all examples of athletes who are powered by extrinsic motivation. Benefits with both motivational sources Although it is generally more beneficial for athletes to be intrinsically driven, there is a place for the opposing source of desire. In the absence of intrinsic drive, extrinsic motivation can provide the required stimulus to induce interest and participation, which can subsequently help to foster growth in areas requiring improvement...

1. Understanding the difference between
Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation

2. Motivation is often hailed as the most significant factor
for an athlete to attain, and maintain, a level of excellence

3. www.nathanwood.consulting
Two Sources
Motivation provides
the reason for people’s
actions, desires, and needs,
and emanates from two
distinct sources
Intrinsic
Motivation
Extrinsic
Motivation

4. Athletes who are intrinsically motivated
play their sport for the sheer love of it

5. www.nathanwood.consulting
“The best form of motivation
always comes from within.”
- Michael Johnson

6. Increased Confidence
They are also more likely to
have increased confidence,
self-efficacy, creativity,
and resilience
www.nathanwood.consulting
Intrinsic Benefits
When intrinsically
driven, motivation levels are
more stable, longer lasting,
and self-sustaining
Task Focused
Athletes possess higher
levels of task-focus, and
experience greater task
satisfaction

7. When athletes are extrinsically motivated, their
drive comes from external influences, such
as winning trophies or financial rewards

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“I hated every minute of training, but I
said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live
the rest of your life as a champion’.”
- Muhammad Ali

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Extrinsic Benefits
Although it is generally
more beneficial for athletes to
be intrinsically driven, there is a
place for extrinsic
motivation
Added Motivation
In the absence of intrinsic
drive, extrinsic motivation can
provide the required stimulus
to induce interest and
participation

10. All athletes use a mixture of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, either
for performing different activities, or for different times of the year

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Ideally
However, athletes who
tap into their intrinsic sources of
motivation more frequently, and over a
broader range of activities, invariably
sustain a high level of performance
for a longer period of time

12. Nathan Wood
Nathan Wood is a former professional sportsman and youth
international, mentor/assessor to Level 3 sports coaches,
and a certified Level 4 master coach.
Now operating a sports performance consultancy, he works with a
diverse range of athletes, coaches, parents, and organisations,
helping them to realise their true sporting potential.
Let’s connect
linkedin.com/in/nathan-wood-coaching
twitter.com/NathanTheoWood
facebook.com/NathanWoodConsulting
instagram.com/nathantheowood
slideshare.net/NathanWood44
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