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Common Characteristics of High Performing Athletes

E Waugh BA Champ 21k 2017

Recently previous articles have covered: A positive mental attitude, Conditioning, Our Conscious & Sub-Conscious Mind, Affirmations and Goals. You should by now have recognised that while we train our bodies, we should also focus on the mind. This article highlights the key characteristics of “High Performing Athletes”.

Future articles will cover getting in The Zone and Managing Anxiety. 
 
 
 
This article talks about the characteristics of “High Performing Athletes”. To reach the top in
 
any field (sport, business etc.), requires a range of attributes. In terms of athletes much will be
 
down to a combination of ability, commitment to training and as we have detailed in previous
 
articles…Self-belief!”
 
 
 
It doesn't matter what your background is and where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that's all that matters."
 
 Serena Williams, professional tennis player and 21 Grand Slams
 
 
 
For the purpose of this article, we do not look at nutrition/diet/sleep patterns etc.…Simply the
 
characteristics drawn from research of leading athletes over a number of years. In terms of
 
modelling excellence, it’s important to look at the characteristics of the greatest sportspeople in
 
the area where we want to personally excel, compare to our own, and then measure the “step
 
change” …How to get there.
 
 
 
When reading the points highlighted below, look back on the previous articles…You will get
 
guidance on how to apply the changes. 
To reach the top in any field such as sport or business.  It requires a range of attributes. In terms of athletes it will often be down to a combination of ability, commitment to training and as we have detailed in previous articles, self-belief.

”It doesn't matter what your background is and where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that's all that matters."

 Serena Williams, professional tennis player and 21 Grand Slams

For the purpose of this article, we do not look at nutrition/diet/sleep patterns etc. These aspects are sunstantiated and accepted as part of quality preparation to peak perfromance. 
We highlight the characteristics drawn from research of leading athletes over a number of years. In terms of modelling excellence, it’s important to look at the characteristics of the greatest sportspeople in the area where we want to personally excel, compare to our own behaviours, and then measure the “step change” of how to get there.
 
When reading the points highlighted below, look back on the previous articles for guidance on how to apply the changes. 
  1. Self-Confidence…The belief in yourself, not arrogance.  Belief is something that you can develop. Belief can also be developed by doing everything necessary in terms of preparation and planning ahead of an event. With nothing left to chance.
  2. The ability to set realistic and meaningful goals…Without goals, we have no motivation. Goals need to be personal to you, but which drive you to succeed. They constantly need reviewing and should be developed with your coach.
  3. Self-Discipline…There are many distractions around us. It is no secret that those that succeed have the self-discipline and focus to shut out distractions and focus on what needs to happen.
  4. Optimism…Linked to point 1, but part of a process. Being an optimist (a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something) is part of the process to drive Self-confidence.
  5. A willingness to learn…You cannot succeed on your own. The ability to take on board new learning and techniques while taking advice and constructive criticism…Similarly a desire and hunger to ask questions.  
  6. The ability to manage stress…Stress can cause a feeling of debilitation, but elite athletes have to deal with this regularly.  High-performing athletes have ways to handle stress. To park the worry and deal with the task at hand. We will look at this in our next blog.
  7. A focused mentality This focus allows the athlete to not be distracted by day to day issues, but to remain focused on the task in hand and the end goal.
  8. Recognise the journey. Trust the coach and the process, recognising that success is a series of building blocks that will take you to where you plan to get to.
  9. Resilience…The ability to learn from and bounce back from disappointment e.g. Injury, results bereavement, etc.
  10. Perfection…This may appear strange because, while perfection is the ultimate holy grail, it is often impossible to achieve. The key though is the constant striving to achieve…Nothing less than your best!
  11. Risk taker…The confidence to do the unexpected when least expected…To steal a march on rivals.
  12. Smile…We have to end with this! Smiling releases neuropeptides.    Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins come into play too  that makes us feel positive. And it always helps to smile at adversity, and face it head on!

Once we know the make-up of elite athletes, we can measure ourselves against the twelve areas. By working on each of these will improve you as an athlete and your ability to perform. 

The hard miles are only part of your success. Work on the other key areas too! 

"I don't think about the miles that are coming down the road, I don't think about the mile I'm on right now, I don't think about the miles I've already covered. I think about what I'm doing right now, just being lost in the moment."

Ryan Hall, U.S. Olympic marathoner 

Future articles from Nick Bishop, will cover getting in The Zone and Managing Anxiety. 

Other articles from Nick Bishop include:

A positive mental attitude                           

Conditioning of behaviour                                 .

The conscious and sub-conscious mind.          

Affirmations and self-talking your way to succeed

Setting short term goals to achieve long term ambition 

Readers may be interested in the following for further reading: 

Black Box Thinking: Marginal Gains and the Secrets of High Performance by Matthew Syed 

Self Talk: How to Train Your Brain to Turn  Negative Thinking into Positive Thinking & Practice Self Love by Aston Sanderson 

The Complete Guide to Sport Motivation by Ken Hodge 

Black Box Thinking: Marginal Gains and the Secrets of High Performance by Matthew Syed 

Self Talk: How to Train Your Brain to Turn Negative Thinking into Positive Thinking & Practice Self Love by Aston Sanderson 

The Complete Guide to Sport Motivation (Complete Guides) by Ken Hodge