The Performance Secret Of Elite Athletes

As an Athlete or Coach, you have likely run into each and every one of these concepts: motivation, inspiration, and discipline.

But which one is best?

I am big on definitions because if we have 10 people who define the same thing 10 different ways, we have CHAOS.

Let’s take a look at the definitions:

MOTIVATION: the forces acting on or within an organism to initiate and direct behavior. 

The problem with motivation: Sometimes we are more motivated to hit the snooze button than to go to class. Sometimes we are more motivated to scroll through our phone than to listen to a boring lecture. Motivation is fleeting, and rests largely on feelings and emotions.

INSPIRATION: a person, place, experience, etc., that makes someone want to do or create something. It also means to “inhale inward”.

The problem with inspiration: Usually inspiration comes from the “outside”. Meaning an Athlete can wait to be inspired by a song, another Athlete they admire, or by a speech. More often than not, you will need to create your own momentum.

DISCIPLINE: orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior. Discipline is also treatment that corrects or punishes…but with the ultimate goal of guidance & growth.

The problem with discipline: None.

God uses discipline with His children… Parents use discipline with their kids… Coaches use discipline with their athletes… Athletes use self-discipline on themselves…

A disciplined Athlete will always yield fruit far greater than an Athlete who is not.

• Discipline protects you from stupidity

• Discipline produces a harvest at the end

• Discipline is a sign of God’s love toward you

• Discipline gives us greater influence with our leaders, our peers, & those we lead

• Discipline brings order into our lives

• Discipline brings about blessing in your life

You see, discipline doesn’t care about your feelings. Discipline doesn’t change based on your environment, the weather, or any external distractions. Discipline doesn’t work if it is sporadic.

Some of you are looking for serious growth in your life. You want to get to the next level. The answer you are looking for may lie in your DISCIPLINE. What is your prescribed conduct or behavior? Do you welcome correction and guidance for your growth…even if it is uncomfortable and painful?

Muhammad Ali famously stated, “I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

I’ll leave you with this thought:

The DISTANCE you can TRAVEL may be directly related to the DISCIPLINE you can TOLERATE….so how far do you want to go?

Some Bible Verses On Discipline:

1. Proverbs 12:1 (NIV) “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”

2. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

3. Hebrews 12:6 (NIV) “Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

4. Proverbs 3:11–12 (NIV) “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

5. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV) “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

6. Revelation 3:19 (NIV) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”

7. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”

8. Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

9. Psalm 94:12 (NIV) “Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law.”

Your Friend,

Josiah Igono