The Sports Coach and Perseverance

Sports Coaching and Perseverance: A Delicate Subject That's Worth Reflecting On.

The ability to persevere in our intentions has allowed us to evolve and do all the great things that, over time, we have been able to create.

This ability is now seriously under threat. It's undeniable: we live in an era where the "now and now" principle reigns supreme . We are literally inundated with notifications of every kind: emails, messages, call alerts, event reminders, deadlines... The most widely used form of communication currently speaks volumes about the times we live in: instant messaging. This adjective in itself is extremely self-explanatory: instant. That is, it provides an immediate consequence, with no possibility of waiting, with no delay between the sending of the communication and its reception by the recipient.

Let's face it: who among us hasn't gotten impatient after realizing the other person has read our message and didn't respond immediately? Who among us isn't annoyed by the constant alerts from our smartphone, but is careful not to turn them off?

Our time is characterized by instant gratification . If we have a headache, we want the magic pill that will make it go away; finding the cause of the pain and addressing its true cause is too complex and takes too long. Training consistently is too demanding and results take too long to arrive; much better is the new trend of the quick gym that promises you the same results as hours of training in just a few minutes.

Persevere

So how can we persevere in this frenetic and hyperstimulated time in history?

Persevering in what we do is of the utmost importance, not only because perseverance allows us to achieve the results we desire . Perseverance allows us to be more satisfied with our lives , because it is the way we satisfy our innate need to succeed, our desire to overcome challenges. A natural desire present in each of us that the pressing need for instant gratification is numbing.

Pain vs. Pleasure

Think about it: most of the things we do for immediate pleasure will, if considered in the long run, cause us some sort of pain . Some examples? The comfort we find in a nice slice of cake will, in the long run, negatively impact our health. A cigarette that gives us instant relaxation will do the same in the long run. Avoiding a problem with our partner saves us the immediate pain of an argument or fight.

Conversely, many of the things that cause immediate pain (or, if you prefer, discomfort), if considered in the long term, will bring us pleasure . Working out brings a series of short-term annoyances—that is, now: I have to change, I have to go to the gym, I have to work hard… But if you consider training in the long term, it's easy to see the pleasure it will bring us: we'll feel better physically, have more energy, and be more satisfied with ourselves. Opting for a healthy snack deprives me of the pleasure of enjoying my favorite dessert, but in the long term, this choice will have a positive impact on my health. Having an argument with my partner right away certainly won't be pleasant, but addressing the issue immediately will prevent it from becoming so serious that it strains the relationship.

As a Sports Coach, I work with athletes and support them in their mental preparation. It's not always easy, even for professional athletes, to stay focused, which is why they rely on a coach to receive continuous feedback on their progress and potential improvements.

Sports Coach of yourself

Now try to answer the following questions honestly.

• What habits have I adopted to get instant pleasure?
• If I consider the long term, what consequences will these habits have?
• What are the habits I avoid that will have a positive impact on my life in the long run?

And now I challenge you : choose one of your habits that provides instant gratification and decide to replace it today with a habit that will yield positive results over time. Commit yourself daily to sticking to your decision, and you'll soon realize that you won't have to wait long to enjoy the benefits.

Recent research tells us that it takes at least 60 days , not 21 as an old myth has always told us. Therefore, to be able to say you've built a new habit, you'll need to consciously persevere for at least two months.

Is it worth it? I say yes, because I'm deeply convinced that a good habit can truly change your life .

Do you really want to improve your habits and get the results you desire? Discover Sports Coaching and read testimonials from those who have already tried it.