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Glen Ross is a dedicated Brain Health Coach, Therapist, and Mental Health Ambassador. With a passion for empowering individuals, he guides you on a transformative journey towards improved wellbeing and personal growth, helps you to optimise brain health, enhance mental resilience, overcome challenges and unlock your full potential. More at www. glenross. co.
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Redefining success: performance metrics beyond the stopwatch
“ Progress doesn’ t always wear a stopwatch. Sometimes, it wears a smile, a breakthrough in mindset, or the quiet strength to keep going.” By Glen Ross
For many athletes, success is measured in seconds, splits, and podium placements. The stopwatch becomes both a motivator and a merciless judge. But what happens when progress stalls, races don’ t go as planned, or the numbers fail to reflect the effort?
It’ s time to expand our definition of success, because athletic greatness isn’ t just built on results, but on resilience, growth, and the richness of the journey.
The hidden cost of chasing numbers
Training with structure and ambition is vital. But an overemphasis on numbers can backfire. When every run, lift or swim is reduced to data, athletes risk becoming disconnected from their joy, intuition, and even their bodies.
Neuroscience tells us that external validation activates the brain’ s reward system … but the satisfaction is short-lived. Over time, this leads to the“ hedonic treadmill”: chasing goals without lasting fulfillment.
“ Intrinsic motivation … driven by curiosity, mastery, or enjoyment … has
Embracing nonlinear progress
Progress in sport isn’ t a straight line. It dips, curves, and sometimes reverses.
Why process-oriented goals matter
Outcome goals are powerful … but limited. What if we focused more on the process?
Try shifting your goals to things fully in your control:
•“ Fuel properly before long sessions.”
•“ Do 10 minutes of mobility each day.”
•“ Reflect in a journal after every race.”
Process goals build resilience and reduce pressure, especially when results are unpredictable. been linked to greater long-term success and well-being.”
Instead of obsessing over week-to-week stats, track less visible— but equally important— markers of growth:
• Consistency: Are you showing up regularly?
• Resilience: How do you respond to setbacks?
• Mindset shifts: Are you training smarter?
• Recovery: Are you sleeping and feeling better?
• Joy: Are you still enjoying your sport?
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