People into sports become athletes on television or part of a varsity team in school. Athletes are like everyone else; they need motivation in the same way we need the drive to do better at work. Motivation is a psychological experience that helps people reach their desired goals.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards
We are motivated to improve our skills or make others feel better. We can also be motivated to do better at school for a reward that might be given. Athletes participate in sporting events for two reasons: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
A basketball player in the NBA, for example, can play ball because he is influenced by one or two forms of motivation. He may be playing because he enjoys the sport and finds enjoyment in improving his skills and talents.
He may also be playing because of the extrinsic rewards of playing basketball; these include the expectations of his coach, the fans, and the material rewards of the sport. Some people are motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
An Olympic skier can take part in an event because she enjoys spending time in the snow. At the same time, she appreciates the recognition that gold medals can offer. Athletes are people who benefit from both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
However, these forms of motivation should be balanced for athletes to remain inspired and perform better. Too much external rewards like money and recognition can limit a skier to performing only for her audience and not for her personal enjoyment.
For athletes and non-athletes, it is important to acknowledge that people control their own behaviors and own their success to their skills. The presence of money and recognition can influence someone’s motivation, but only temporarily.
A person motivated intrinsically is likely to be happier and continue doing better. In this case, extrinsic rewards become the icing on top of the cake!
Rewards that Make Us Do Better
An extrinsic reward can keep us happy and motivate us to do better. One example, particularly for athletes, is the use of an action camera. It’s not only athletes that enjoy using these devices, but also outdoors enthusiasts and travelers.
If you haven’t thought about it, here are some reasons to own one:
- Sports. Action cams can be mounted to sports gear such as helmets and bike handles. Giro Range MIPS helmets can be customized to fit your head and can accommodate cameras. This means you can get unique perspectives of performances and see where you can improve. It also makes for a fun first-person perspective.
- Portability. The small size of action cams makes them ideal for outdoor activities. Their small, yet rugged nature means some models can withstand snow, water, and other elements.
- High-Quality Photo and Video. Action cams not only have the advantage of a good angle, but also the quality you can expect from a high-end camera. Photos and videos of your practice sessions should be of the best quality for sharing and streaming online. You’d want to look your best all the time, right?
