Are You More Concerned With the Task or Your Ego?
When practicing or competing, athletes are oftentimes more motivated in one of two ways: on the task or their ego. This article references the work of John G. Nicholls (1989).
When an athlete is “task-involved,” they are focused on effort, how to improve at the task they’re performing, and are generally focused on aspects in their control.
When an athlete is “ego-involved,” they are thinking more about how they compare to others and what their performance means in the eyes of others.
Everyone is motivated in both ways, but it’s clear that athletes will more likely enjoy a prosperous, healthier career when the scales are tipped in favor of task-involvement, not ego.
A mental skill that facilitates performance in many ways is thought-stopping and re-framing. More simply, when you notice a thought that isn’t helpful to your focus and confidence, notice it, then replace it with something that is. Whether it’s a distraction or negative thought, refocusing on cues that the task-involved athlete focuses on will be beneficial.
Here are some ideas:
Body mechanics
Controllables (like attitude, effort, and preparation)
Reasons why you play and enjoy your sport
Evidence you should feel confident, like prior successes
Considering what a trusted loved one or idol would say to you when you need to focus
It’s normal to think about how you compare to others and what success (or failure) will do to your image. But it can get out of hand. Reel in your ego-involved thinking to be a mentally tougher player by being more consistent, focused, and confident.
References
Nicholls, J. (1989). The competitive ethos and democratic education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
