Are you in a motivation slump?

Slumps are not just for hitters.  There are slumps on defense, slumps in baserunning, slumps on the mound, and slumps in the coaching box.  Slumps aflict everyone in the game at some point.  Motivation is a target for slumps as well.  It would be nice if our motivation levels remained at a high level all the time.  It is unrealistic to think it will. 

Accepting that dips in motivation will occur is the first step in doing something about it.

This time of year (summer = heat, humidity, tired, sore, etc) is when many people find that their motivation levels dip.  A variety of other things can lead to this as well but there are some things that sufferers can do to turn that dip around and increase motivation.  Here are five:

1. Increase your knowledge.  There is always something new to learn in the game whether you are a player or coach.  Learning a new skill, a new drill, a new workout tip, or even a new position can go a long way towards getting your motivation back.  Learning something new automatically makes you want to try it out.  It gets you moving again.  When you think there is nothing else to learn, you stop moving and stop growing.  Never stop learning about the game.  I designed this website with this tip in mind!  How am I doing? 

2. Listen to successful people in the game.  Part of the learning process mentioned above should be listening to and reading about people who are successful in the game.  Summer (actually any time of year) is a great time to kick back a catch up on your reading.  Podcasts are great as well.  I have made four podcasts of my own!  If you haven’t heard them, click HERE.  Successful people in the game didn’t get there by accident.  They’ve had successes and failures along the way and made many adjustments.  That trial and error process can take a lot of time.  Save your time by learning from THEIR mistakes instead of making them yourself!

3. Remind yourself why you play or coach.  The game of baseball can wear you out very quickly if you focus on the wrong things.  Usually what brings a player down the quickest is focussing too much on stats.  My podcast/interview with Steve Springer (Performance Coach – Toronto Blue Jays) has a lot of information about that mistake.  If you have not heard the interview, you MUST!  It’s a winner for any player!  Hopefully, when a player or coach reflects on why they play/coach, the word “fun” comes to mind.  If you have lost the fun of the game, it’s time to rethink why you continue to be involved in the game.  Regain that “fun” and you are on the road towards improving motivation.

4. Get some balance.  For many players and coaches, it has been non-stop baseball for a number of months now.  Do anything for months and months without a break and you’re likely to start thinking of that activity as a chore.  Break up the monotony with something different.  Go to the beach.  Get back into mountain biking.  Hang out with friends that DON’T play baseball.  Go fishing.  Get away from the game and plan some activities that have nothing to do with baseball.  Often players and coaches are reminded how much they love the game.  However, this only happens when you are away from it for a little or a long while.

5. Re-examine your expectations.  As I said earlier, stats (poor ones especially!) can bring down a player’s confidence and motivation levels very quickly.  Check to see if your goals are still attainable.  Example: If you had a goal to hit over .400 and you are now hitting .210 with many at-bats under your belt, change your goal.  Maybe focus on something you have total control of like “quality at-bats” (did you listen to the Steve Springer interview yet?).

Dips in motivation happen to everyone in the game.  Follow these tips and search for others as well.  If you do, I think (and hope!) that your motivation tank will start to fill up once again.