When in 2009 UK Sport commissioned the Great British Medallists project team at Bangor University to explore what makes multiple medal winners different from the rest of us, their goal was to help identify the stars of the future. The researchers found that genes play a huge role in sporting potential (up to 80%) – no great surprise there. They also found a number of serendipitous advantages such as being born early in the school year, having a trauma-free childhood and growing up close to sporting facilities. By the time we’re fully grown, the die is cast. However, there is one thing we can change to become more like sport’s top performers, and that’s our minds.
Aside from the accidents of birth listed above, there are myriad psychological differences between pro athletes and the rest of us. These mental traits, studied and taught by sports psychologists like me, come naturally to many pros, but they can also be consciously nurtured. So even if you didn’t win the genetic jackpot, you can still expand your potential by learning to think like a pro. And here they are – seven ways to develop a pro mindset…
1. Keep the inner flame burning
All cyclists need to be highly motivated, but once you step up to pro level, the type of motivation changes. To be able to stick with a sport and not get burnt out, it is important to have intrinsic (or internal) motivation – a deep inner love for the physical act of riding your bike. The PBs, Strava kudos, and metrics showing improved fitness are great, but what comes first is the inner satisfaction.
Intrinsic motivation comes from three pillars: a sense of belonging, mastery and autonomy. Amateurs can develop these fairly easily but they are harder to maintain once you step up the ranks. A pro rider might feel they belong in the team and they’ll definitely have mastery, but if they have to obey the team coach, and be told where, when and how to train and race, their autonomy disappears. This means they need a different motivational fuel, an extrinsic one, focused more on external rewards such as meeting contractual responsibilities, getting decent results and thereby earning their paycheck. This is harder to maintain, brings more pressure and can, at times, diminish the simple joy of riding.
Think like a pro: However far you progress in cycling, aim to maintain your intrinsic motivation. Focus on finding a team, club or group in which you feel comfortable, monitoring your skills and successes and…