LIMERICK, IRELAND (Irish Climbing Coaching) – Continuing on from Nigel’s post last week, I’m left with the task of compiling how to translate motivation to your own situations. Stay with me here, I’ll try keep it concise and to the point!
Firstly, motivation will come in different shapes and forms for everyone. Like everything else in life, what motivates you will be different to what motivates everyone else. Makes sense?
People get motivated for multiple reasons. Get stronger/faster/better, friends are involved – they’re all valid reasons. For most, climbing will be about recreational fun, for some others it will be push themselves to the absolute limit. Some will be to challenge themselves, to beat your friend at the next IBL or on route(s!), to be the best(!)
In short, you need to give yourself a reason, or a goal, to remain motivated. If you find yourself turning up at the wall just ticking off a few routes – ask yourself; is this what you want?
What motivates you? -This is a key question to answer…..
For a lot of people they won’t be completely aware of why you train or climb, meaning that motivation goes through dips and troughs as you get distracted from your goals. Don’t forget, the Real World (family, friends, partners, work, fun) will all do their best to interfere in your situation! It’s a case of keeping yourself focused and in check – which will help you reach those goals you’re aiming for.
Take those negative issues and focus them on positives – again, see Nigel’s entry for a prime example of this!
See how this relates to goal setting? Try and relate it to your goal setting as mentioned previously on the blog. Make sure that the goals you’re setting correlate to what keeps you motivated – that’ll keep focused on what needs to be done.
Image Credit: The author’s hard work & motivation during the previous year pays off – lowering off from 8a+ (Asia Shadow Play, Thailand)!