The Mentality Behind Being "The Best"
Michael Jordan after making six 3-pointers during Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals.
In virtually every sport, there belongs a player or athlete that is clear-cut from the rest of their competitors, becoming distinct enough to ascend to the top of their sport, otherwise known as becoming “the best”. The path to this is a mindset, one that is created by a constant chase for greatness, driving them to reach and surpass their limits. They aim to be “number one”, honing their craft to the point where they are the definitive athlete for their respective field of sport. This mentality can be seen as a fusion of sheer motivation, competitiveness, psychological endurance, discipline, and confidence.
Natural Motivation:
This value is purely rooted in the athlete’s love of the sport, driving them to excel in their sport due to the simplicity of enjoyment. It is drastically different from the superficial reasonings behind success which can include awards, achievements, and other forms of recognition. Athletes driven by motivation have a passion for simply participating in the sport, to the point where success will naturally come with developing other values of their mentality. However, motivation for a sport can differ in its origins for an athlete. For example, a child is being raised by parents who have a strong interest in basketball, bringing them to basketball practices since they were around 4-6 years old. This child may either continue playing the sport while developing a sense of motivation or grow out of the sport and lose it. For some athletes, they may suddenly shift into a new sport, finding a new source of motivation to commit and develop their skills in. Athletes with a strong sense of motivation find joy in the process of improving in their sport, along with learning and competing with others.
Competitiveness:
Being the best in sports does not only consist of personal excellence but also understanding and outperforming opponents. This involves studying competitors' strengths and weaknesses, understanding their strategies, and adapting to these outside factors. Elite athletes are students of their sport, constantly analyzing films or videos, learning new techniques, and keeping up with the trends of the sport. They combine this knowledge with their strengths to gain a competitive edge, contributing to their overall success as an athlete.
Psychological Endurance:
Athletes who possess the mentality of “the best” can bounce back from challenges, which may include injuries, losses, and other forms of failure. Every athlete will experience a setback of some sort, but what separates ordinary athletes from the elite is how they respond to those challenges and setbacks. Endurance and resilience consist of maintaining a positive attitude, learning from mistakes, and not letting failures stress them or get to their head. For athletes regarded as “the best”, setbacks are seen as opportunities to grow and come back stronger. This resilience stems from a growth mindset, where they view their abilities as improvable through hard work and dedication.
Karsten Warholm, the 400m hurdles world record holder, cruises through his heat at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Discipline:
The best athletes understand that talent alone is not enough. To reach the pinnacle, they must engage in disciplined, focused practice. This involves adhering to a rigorous training regimen, paying attention to nutrition, recovery, and every aspect of their sport. Discipline also extends to mental preparation, such as visualization, strategic planning, and maintaining focus under pressure. The ability to concentrate on the task at hand and block out distractions is a critical component of success. The best athletes often create routines that help them maintain this focus, ensuring they are mentally and physically prepared for every competition.
Confidence:
Another key element behind being the best is confidence and self-belief. Athletes who believe in their abilities more than others are more likely to perform at higher levels of competition. This confidence is built through preparation and past success, but it also requires a strong mental endurance to maintain it in the face of challenges. The best athletes exude a steady confidence, knowing that they have done everything possible to prepare and that they have the skills necessary to succeed. This self-belief allows athletes to take risks, stay calm under pressure, and seize opportunities when they appear.
Conclusion:
The mentality behind being the best in sports is a dynamic system of motivation, endurance, discipline, competitiveness, and confidence. It is not merely about physical merit, but also about forming a mindset that embraces challenges, learns from every experience, and constantly pursues excellence. Athletes who possess this mentality are not only able to reach the top of their sport but also to maintain their position by continually evolving and improving. The journey to being the best is not easy, but for those with the right mindset, it is a rewarding pursuit.
Sources:
Adams, Jacquelyn. “How Having a ‘Number One’ Mentality May Keep You out of Leadership Roles.” IEEE, InSight, 23 Apr. 2024, insight.ieeeusa.org/articles/how-having-a-number-one-mentality-may-keep-you-out-of-leadership-roles/.
Lesyk, Jack J. “The Nine Mental Skills of Successful Athletes.” Ohio Center for Sport Psychology, OCSP, www.sportpsych.org/nine-mental-skills-overview. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
Marone, Leah. “Are You Consistently Expected to Be at Your Best?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 1 July 2021, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/gaining-and-sustaining/202107/are-you-consistently-expected-be-your-best.
Sports Psychology Movement Institute. “Becoming the Best Athlete in the World.” Becoming The Best Athlete in The World | Sport Psychology Movement Institute, SPMI, www.gospmi.com/becoming-best-athlete-world. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
Wilks, Corey. “The Mindset of Champions: How Obsession Separates the Best in the World from Everyone Else.” Corey Wilks, Psy.D., 4 July 2024, coreywilkspsyd.com/mindset-of-champions-obsession/.