Performance psychology and movies: ET.

Parents, teachers, executives and coaches often wish that those under their supervision gave more effort and sometimes resort to offering incentives and other extrinsic rewards in hopes of increasing productivity. Extrinsic motivation may work in the short term; however, research indicates it is fleeting and not as powerful/sustainable as one’s internal drive. Unfortunately, some people may incorrectly believe that “you can’t teach effort” and that “you can only lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink.”

A LEADer can actually foster intrinsic motivation in those under their supervision by using a process-based approach where success is defined as constant improvement rather than using final outcome measures. The world may define success in terms of outcome or personal achievement; however, a LEADer is very particular in the words they choose and utilize, known as Effort Terminology (ET). These definitions are not my own, but they are so good you’ll want to “phone home:”

1. Failure- Simply the data needed to achieve future success.

2. Growth Mindset- The belief that an individual’s abilities are changeable and one can improve through practice (Dweck, 2006).

3. Mastery- The journey of continuous learning and improvement (Leonard, 1991).

4. Success- “Peace of mind in knowing that one made every effort to become the best he or she is capable of becoming (Wooden & Jamison, 1997).

Coach Nelson serves as a high school football coach who is pursuing his doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology. He has worked for division 1 athletic departments, professional sport franchises, a Fortune 100 Company and has won numerous awards for his LEADership abilities. Most recently coach Nelson was hired as a trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and as a mental performance coach for Mindurance.

His mission is to positively influence the world through Love, Effort, Attitude and Discipline (#LEAD). To learn more about the LEAD philosophy follow him on Twitter Levi Nelson or reach out via email at rln10@zips.uakron.edu He’d love to learn about or help you in your journey!

PCA: https://www.positivecoach.org/team/nelson-levi/

Mindurance: https://mindurance.com/viewAdvisor.asp?ic=51819&catID=