Athlete

Nothing hinders a player’s success more than losing the joy of competing. As the saying goes, “When you let go of what you are, you become what you can be.” Without fun, nothing makes sense—in the end, fun is the only true meaning.

For an athlete, losing the ability to enjoy competing, not just winning, can be the biggest barrier to success. To reach your full potential, you must love what you do and have fun doing it.

Enjoyment doesn’t happen by accident. While there may be some 'magic' involved, it’s actually the result of three key elements aligning: body (technique), mind (preparedness), and heart (passion). You’ll know you’re truly enjoying yourself when there’s nowhere else you’d rather be than right there, fully engaged in your sport.

However, finding enjoyment in competition isn’t always easy. It requires the ability to feel comfortable in challenging situations—a skill that takes time to develop.

We often mistake happiness for victory or success, but this connection isn’t entirely accurate. While victory often brings happiness, it’s not the only path to it. True happiness in sports comes from within, and it can be experienced even when you don’t win or when things don’t go perfectly. This type of happiness is more real, fuller, and more powerful.

What Can Prevent You from Enjoying Competition?

Let’s explore some of the main barriers to enjoying competition and how to overcome them with mental challenges:

Boredom or Apathy The absence of a motivating challenge can lead to boredom or apathy, which in turn can kill your enjoyment of the sport. To overcome this, recognize that there’s always room for improvement. Set new goals that push you to grow both professionally and personally. Remember, "Never stop training, never stop learning."

The Pressure to Win The pressure to win can become a significant mental and physical burden, especially when you fear defeat. To combat this, shift your mindset—winning should inspire you, not feel like an obligation. Losing isn’t a failure; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace competition as a chance to better yourself.

Stress from Success Success can also be stressful. The recognition and prestige that come with it can create a whirlwind of emotions that distract you from your true focus. To stay grounded, remember that it’s not success itself, but your talent and continuous improvement, that should motivate you. Stay focused, train hard, and trust in your abilities.

Victory as the Sole Goal If victory is your only goal, you may find it difficult to enjoy the journey. Primož Roglič sums it up perfectly: “It is very harmful to have victory as the only goal. If you finish second, you are finished; you do not find the energy to start again, and that prevents you from finding pleasure in the preparation, in the journey.”

An athlete, like anyone else, must learn to enjoy the journey. Focusing solely on the result is like trying to dance with a stone in your shoe. Just ask Dan Millman, a former world champion athlete and author of The Peaceful Warrior. Dan was obsessed with winning gold, which left him unable to enjoy his sport. His expectations tormented him until a life-changing accident forced him to reassess what truly mattered.

Conclusion

To truly succeed as an athlete, you must find joy in every aspect of the sport—from the preparation to the competition itself. When you focus on the journey rather than just the destination, you unlock a deeper, more lasting happiness that fuels both your performance and your passion. Remember, without enjoyment, there is no paradise—so find the fun in what you do, and the victories will follow.