Sports and Identity: How to Shape your Identity to Become an Elite Athlete
Introduction
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, is an example that we are not necessarily born into excellence – we grow into it.
Born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jordan faced numerous challenges in his early life. One of the most famous anecdotes from his early years is that he was cut from his high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore. This rejection served as a pivotal moment for Jordan, fueling his determination and work ethic. After being cut from the team, Jordan committed himself to rigorous practice and improvement. He woke up early to practice before school and continued working on his skills long after his peers had left the gym. His perseverance paid off as he made the team the following year, quickly becoming one of the best players in the state.
We certainly have a lot to learn from Michael Jordan’s progress. He has shown us that our identity is not fixed – in fact, no one is born with the identity of a successful athlete. Rather, this identity is cultivated through our commitment and actions.
And Jordan is a clear example that the sky is the limit when it comes to our identity. He even transcended the role of an athlete, becoming a cultural and business mogul.
Identity shaped through sports
While we can shape our identity to become great athletes, let’s first look at it in the opposite way. Sports itself shapes someone’s character and inner world. It does so through a series of behaviors and attitudes that someone practices day in and day out.
What does the research tell us?
In the world of sports, the psychological profile of an athlete can be as crucial as their physical capabilities. Among the many frameworks used to understand athletes' personalities, the Type A and Type B personality theory stands out for its impact on performance and success. Understanding these personality types can provide valuable insights into how athletes approach training, competition, and personal development according to their own unique characteristics.
Building your self-concept through sports
According to sports psychologist Dr. Susan Harter, involvement in sports contributes significantly to an individual's self-concept. This refers to how someone sees and thinks of themselves. For example, if you repeatedly demonstrate perseverance, leadership, and courage, you may begin to see yourself in light of those qualities and even identify with them. Sports provide a great avenue for self-exploration and self-knowledge. As an athlete puts themselves in new situations and challenges, they will form their self-concept, which in turn builds their sense of competence and self-confidence.
Finding resilience in oneself
We become more resilient by going through difficult moments. Sports often involve facing and overcoming adversity, which can significantly impact one’s identity. Dr. Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset demonstrates that athletes who view challenges as opportunities for growth develop resilience and perseverance. This mindset fosters a strong identity characterized by a positive attitude toward challenges and a belief in the ability to improve through effort and practice.
When you overcome adversity, your identity also changes.
Becoming a people person
Not everyone can say that they are naturally sociable. In fact, great people skills only come easy for very few people. For the rest of us, they are built and developed with practice and through exposure to various social situations.
Athletes have an advantage when it comes to social skills. Being part of a sports team naturally creates a sense of belonging and community, prompting the person to navigate complex social situations. And this is backed by psychology theories, too. For example, Dr. Albert Bandura's social learning theory highlights the importance of social interactions in shaping behaviors and attitudes. Through team sports, individuals learn to work collaboratively, develop social skills, and form lasting relationships. These experiences contribute to a collective identity, where individuals see themselves as integral parts of a group with shared goals and values.
Lifelong character building
Growing one’s self-knowledge and resilience and building people skills are great consequences of being an athlete. But the impact of this career on one’s identity doesn’t stop there. The discipline, teamwork, and resilience developed through athletic participation can also influence various aspects of life, including career, relationships, and personal growth. Former athletes often carry the lessons learned and the identity forged through sports into their adult lives, contributing to their overall success and well-being.
The inverse relationship: identity formation as a pathway to athletic success
There are enough successful stories to show that athletics does impact someone’s identity profoundly, and, in most cases, in a highly positive way. But let’s also consider the inverse relationship between these two concepts, namely, how one can shape their identity to become more successful in athletics.
Mental toughness and emotional control
It is true that you become mentally stronger as you take part in games, engage in consistent training, and compete against good players. However, a degree of emotional control is needed from the start to do those things. Dr. Graham Jones and Dr. Sheldon Hanton, experts in sports psychology, have studied the attributes of mentally tough athletes. Their research indicates that resilience, confidence, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are critical components of mental toughness, which is critical for all successful athletes. Therefore, don’t wait to become really successful in sports to cultivate emotional resilience and mental toughness. Chances are that you will already need those qualities to progress in your career. Consequently, by actively working on these traits, athletes can strengthen their mental fortitude, which becomes an integral part of their identity.
Growth mindset
Most successful athletes have a growth mindset. But chances are that they had it from the start, otherwise, they wouldn’t have become successful. While being in elite sports does promote the motivation to aspire for more, you need to have a growth-oriented approach to lay a good foundation for your athletic success.
Why is it so important to identify as someone with a growth mindset in athletics? Given the competitive and difficult nature of this trajectory, you will need the skills to reframe failures and adversity. And this is only possible when you have a growth approach to life. For example, Dr. Carol Dweck's research highlights the significance of a growth mindset, where individuals believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Athletes with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities to improve rather than threats, fostering resilience and a commitment to continuous learning.
Therefore, you don’t need to wait to grow an outstanding career in athletics to have a growth mindset. You will need it before you do so.
Becoming someone who dreams big and sets goals
What do all athletes have in common? They’re all people who can dream big and set goals. As an aspiring athlete, you must be willing to dream big and want more for yourself. This is the foundation of an athlete’s identity.
A clear vision and well-defined goals are crucial for shaping an identity centered around athletic success. Sports psychologist Dr. Shane Murphy emphasizes the importance of goal-setting in sports. By setting short-term and long-term goals, athletes can create a roadmap for their development, keeping their vision and objectives at the forefront of their identity.
Wrapping Up
The impact of sports on identity is profound and multifaceted. Through building self-concept, fostering a sense of belonging, overcoming challenges, emulating role models, and connecting with cultural heritage, sports shape individuals in significant ways. As sports psychologist Dr. Jim Taylor suggests, the identity forged through sports can lead to a fulfilling and successful life, underscoring the importance of encouraging athletic participation from a young age.
Research in sports psychology underscores the effectiveness of these approaches, providing a roadmap for athletes to enhance their mental game and achieve their full potential.