On Competing: Part Five

I shared a version of this on my Twitter account back in March. I'm sharing it here because most of you didn't see it, and it's a worthy reminder for those of you who did.

On Twitter, I asked, "What motivates a student/athlete to do difficult and uncomfortable work?"

For our competitive theme this week, we can ask, "What moves a person to compete exceptionally hard?"

15 primary reasons will move a person to compete exceptionally hard even when it's difficult, painful, and uncertain (unrelated to yesterday's 15 Commandments for Competitors):

1. SOCIAL PRESSURE: People in their social circle expect, encourage, or demand that they compete hard.
2. REJECTION: They won't be accepted by teammates or peers if they don't compete hard.
3. REPUTATION: They believe their teammates will think less of them or make fun of them if they don't compete hard.
4. TRUST: They've learned to believe in and follow the competitive standards set by their coach, teacher, or leader.
5. APPROVAL: They want to please their coach, teacher, or leader.
6. PUNISHMENT: They believe they will be punished if they don't compete at their hardest.
7. EXCLUSION: They believe they will be isolated and alone if they don't compete their hardest.
8. VALUES: They believe competing hard is the right thing to do.
9. REWARD: They believe they'll earn a reward by competing hard.
10. SAFETY: They believe competing hard is less risky than not doing it.
11. GUILT: They'll feel guilty if they don't compete their hardest.
12. PRIDE: They want to prove their courage, capability, or worth.
13. ANGER: They don't like who or what they're competing against.
14. EXCITEMENT: They enjoy the excitement of competition and the thrill of the challenge.
15. HABIT: Competing hard has become automatic.

Everyone responds to something within these 15, including you, but not everyone responds to the same things. Further, people compete for different reasons in different contexts at different times.

Someone may compete for pride in practice but for approval during a game. Someone may compete for safety at work but excitement away from work. Context, style, and purpose matter.

What are your thoughts at the end of this week's focus On Competing?

Answer the call. Do the work.