Rewarded Behavior is Repeated Behavior
Rewarded behavior is repeated behavior. Behavior that you reward you see more of. If you reward the process, the grinder, the great effort you get more great effort. Rewarded behavior is repeated behavior. Early in my career, and even now sometimes, I fall into the trap of making a bigger deal about the athlete who shows up late than I do about the 15 that showed up on time. By praising the people who show up on time, I think that person who was late will figure it out.
You see athletes are very simple. What they want is to hear two things. They want to hear their name attached with a very positive specific. For example, an athlete hits a ball back to the pitcher, runs down to the first base hard. Instead of saying great job, instead try saying:
“Madeleine, I like how you ran hard down to first base on the ball back to the pitcher. You put the pressure on her like that all the time and someday, she’s going to drop it, make an overthrow it’s going to be a game changer. If it’s a game changer, it’s a season changer. If it’s a game changer, and a season changer, it’s a championship changer. Keep running hard.”
When she hears that, Madeline is going to be on fire and keep running down to first base like her hair’s on fire. So attach the positive with the specific when you give feedback and compliments. It takes a little bit of awareness on your part as a coach but anyone can do it.
About Brian Cain
Brian Cain is one of the worlds most sought after mental conditioning and peak performance coaches. He is also one of the top young motivational speakers and a #1 best selling inspirational author. An educational leader who has worked with and mentored some of the best athletic programs at the college and high school level as well as world champion coaches and athletes, Cain will give you the mental skills necessary to perform at your best when it means the most.
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