By Cortez Hankton, Jr.
Five-year NFL Veteran
We all aspire to be something great in our lives; a brain surgeon, the President of the United States, and for most of whom are reading this article, a professional athlete. These aspirations are not too far-fetched and are obtainable; however, the immediate goal should be one that is simple; being the best you. The psychology world identifies "being the best you" as self-actualization, which can be defined as an individual reaching their potential. The term became prominent by Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist, best known for his creation of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow's concept of self-actualization is based on the principle that we must obtain the following needs progressively before reaching their full potential: Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, and Esteem. This concept has been widely adapted by other professionals. The basic principles are relative to your development as a student-athlete.
Every human being requires basic physiological needs for survival. These basic needs include oxygen, food, and water. The proper amount of rest is also imperative for the student-athlete. This prepares your body for optimal performance, both in the classroom and on your respective field of play. Proper nutrition is also essential to fuel your body with the energy to go out and give it your all. You must truly treat your body as a temple and be cognizant of the things that can either enhance or diminish your performance. You also must be aware of the debilitating effects drugs and alcohol have on your body. Avoid at all costs! A few moments of misconceived fun are not worth compromising all of the hard work you've put in to be your best.
Safety is a multi-dimensional need for self-actualization. Security and protection are a high priority but the need to utilize resources that are readily available to maintain your mental and physical well-being is equally important. After hitting the weight room really hard, head down to the training room and ice the muscles you've exerted to minimize soreness. There is an egregious misconception that avoiding the training room somehow displays one’s toughness, however you must do everything in your power to take care of your body. Think of it like this: if you are struggling in a course at school, would it be considered smart not to take advantage of a tutor? Just as you would do everything in your power to be the best student, you must do the same for your body as an athlete. Other examples of preventive measures for injuries are taking yoga classes to increase flexibility and wearing the appropriate padding to protect your body. These are all important actions in your progression.
Our family and friends are just as important in serving as support to the path we chose. They are the individuals who are there for help with the big mid-term tests and celebrating with you for senior night; they provide the relationships (love/belonging) that you need to succeed. It is important that you align yourself with people that have the same positive goals and motivation as you, whether it is in school or in your sports. Peer pressure for poor decisions has a negative effect on your progression, so be smart in your decision making and who you choose to be in your circle. It holds true that birds of a feather flock together; surround yourself with people who also want to maximize their potential.
We know that to be perceived as achievers, we need to produce results. The reason we practice, study, and do all of the aforementioned is to earn an "A" on the next test or throw for over 300 yards in a game. These goals and objectives gauge your progression on a specific task. But before we get to the point of the end result, we must BELIEVE that we can achieve our goals. Our need for esteem in the self-actualization process is paramount because it is about having the confidence to accomplish our objectives and goals. You must ask yourself if you are doing everything within reason to prepare yourself for success. Examples include doing all of the necessary research for a final paper, or watching extra film on your next opponent. These tasks will put you in prime position for success. Preparation breeds consistency and consistency breeds confidence. When you hold yourself in high esteem and have the confidence to perform at a high level, you optimize your ability for self-actualization.
How do you know if you are the best you can be? Think of the physiological, safety, relationship, and esteem needs I have described and how they are relevant to your attainment of self-actualization as a student-athlete and a person. Utilize your time effectively, academically, athletically, as well as in your community. Reaching your true potential has as much to do with the effect on other people as it does with your own development. Can you lend a helping hand to the underprivileged, or do you make other individuals better people when they are in your presence? When you are spending time on social media or video games, I want you think "is there a better way to use this time effectively?" Make no mistake, I encourage you to maintain a good balance. Socializing and leisure time are important to maintaining good well-being. This is a warning to ensure you manage your time with activities that facilitate your progression towards reaching your potential. Remember these three things in everything you do: work hard, work smart, and have fun!