Many of us are motivated to train for different reasons. Some want to execute better on the field or outperform the competition in a tryout or a match. Others may want to improve their quality of life in order to better enjoy their day to day activities. Whatever the motivating factor that has pushed you to train, what drives all of us is often very similar. We all strive for self-improvement and to feel better about ourselves.
We strive for the same fulfillment in our lives too. Whether the champion athlete, hardworking professional, or stay at home parent, we all wish to accelerate with our jobs, possessions, relationships, etc. They help to identify who we are. We associate them with success and success makes us feel good!
How we train is an excellent representation of how we chose to live our lives. Like life, training should be attacked with the following four traits. Purpose, Persistence, Passion and Pride. It’s called the Synergy of the Four P’s (P4) because these traits acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual parts.
Purpose: A goal. This puts a rock-solid rationale behind your efforts. You’re more likely to follow through to the end of your journey with purpose driving you down the path. Whether it is the path of least resistance or the road less traveled, maintaining your focus on your purpose keeps you on the road.
Persistence: Anything worth having is worth working for. Although we might be able to get by going through the motions, it is with persistence and hard work that we arrive at our destination with a sense of accomplishment. Training can often take a toll on our physical and mental toughness yet it is with persistence that we plow through the hurdles.
Passion: A word that breeds enthusiasm, positive energy, and as a result–success. Love what you are doing and remember why it is important to you. Passion exceeds technique. When you play with passion you separate yourself from mediocrity. Take care of the small things passionately and the big things will most likely take care of themselves.
Pride: Having a sense of pride in your training is key. It is here that you are proud of your journey and your end reward. Your training is a part of your identity. Small people will try to belittle your ambitions, but the really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great. Alongside of pride is respect and its imperative to respect yourself, your training, as well as your opponents. Even setbacks and losses present an opportunity to learn and self-improve.
Use the Synergy of the Four P’s in your training and in your lives. Discard the toxic things that interfere with your goals. A poor diet, a bad habit, a negative person. Why would you NOT deserve the very best and give your all? After all, whether your training is a need or a want, it is important to you. As with life, “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for. If it is worth attaining, it is worth fighting for.” Nick Tumminelo, Performance U