A sports psychologist may give a long and detailed explanation of motivation, but I'm a simple guy which is where this article is aimed. So here's my look more at motivation and expectation.
There's a million books about getting motivated, being motivated and staying motivated, not to mention an industry of motivational speakers, videos, songs, etc. I'm guessing the common theme they have is that motivation comes from within and any amount of gee-up energy and material will only have a temporary effect. Fair enough and quite correct from where I see it.
However I consider motivation in a way that it's linked to expectations...which I'll get to shortly. I think there are two types of motivation - for the love of it, or as a means to an end. Put another way, are you in it for the art or business? Let me explain.
I love being involved in sports, especially running. The beauty and simplicity is the appeal, and feeling of movement and freedom when I'm out running. For other people they love the speed and excitement of cycling, the skill and athleticism of tennis, or perhaps the precision and concentration of golf. Each sport has it's own challenges which appeals to millions of people around the world. They are motivated by the love of their sport...purists at heart, and is key to life-long involvement and enjoyment from sports.
Many other people are motivated to participate in a sports activity as a means to an end. For some people this means personal trainer classes, spin classes, gym, etc, to get fit, lose weight, look good, meet people...although some purists may debate about whether they're actually "participating" in sports, or just exercising. Either way, they're motivation is as means to an end.
A variation to this is people who, for example, swim because it is one part of a triathlon - they might love triathlon as sport, but hate swimming, and if triathlon were changed to being lawn bowls, bike riding and running they'd take up lawn bowls...especially if their was a lure like qualifying for Kona. Their motivation to swim is as a means to an end.
Sometimes there is overlap, or where one motivation leads to another. For example, someone may start a sport for a love of it, find they're good and go on to being a professional...in which case it becomes a means to an end. Alternatively, someone may start as a means to lose weight and find they enjoy the sport and evolve to love it, which is a fantastic outcome.
A big trap in sports is when people forget what their motivation is, and keep on with sports because they don't know any difference and are trapped in a cycle. It all becomes a bit aimless...I'm sure we've seen people like this, and is where motivation is linked to expectations.
Expectations are what you hope to get out of something, as some form of 'reward'...although it can be in a multitude of forms. For people who love their sport the reward is simply the joy of doing what they enjoy - like the "runner's high" - before, during and after. For each person it will be different, and just reinforces why they do what they do...which includes the excitement and challenge of competition. For people motivated as a means to an end, the expectations are often around health, as tortuous as the process might be!!
The important thing about expectations is that you must be the one who owns them. If you get to the point of being motivated by the expectations of others then it is the start of a downward spiral where motivation - and the reasons for participating in sports - begins to wear you out and wear you down. Responding to the expectations of other people is a negative motivation.
In practical terms this can be something like going to training because you think others expect you to, and similarly with races...and these are surely not good ways to go on participating. While it's great to feel a responsibility to others, if it's not a team sport where others are depending on you, then perhaps it is time to question and re-visit your true motivation.
Motivation is what energises our life, but just as motivation comes from within, so should your expectations. Aim for your own standards - your own expectations - and you'll always be master of your own destiny.
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