I’ve had the opportunity to receive some wise and inspirational words from successful rugby players on how they keep on top of their game.
I wanted to share them with you, as 3 main career success tips stood out for me:
- Surround yourself with supportive people – friends, family, colleagues and role models who will help inspire and motivate you.
Who are your career supporters and what role do they play?
- Picture the end goal – playing for your country, lifting the trophy, winning the game.
Picture your end goal for your current career journey, what do you experience when you picture it?
- Acknowledge there will be set backs, stay positive, keep believing, enjoy it and smile.
How are you being when striving for your career goals?
Here’s what the players had to say…..
ERNST JOUBERT – SARACENS
What motivates you to stay at the top of your game?
Always trying to get better motivates me. Trying to be the best in my position is also a very big motivator
How do you deal with set backs and keep resilient?
As a rugby player you know that in your career you will have setbacks. So when you start out it is almost a mindset that you must have that bad things will happen.
I have a competitive nature so when I get injured or dropped it is always an exciting challenge to get better and back in the team!
Who inspires you?
Definitely proving to my team mates that I am a good player!! You work hard with the boys. So you never want to disappoint them!!
What does it feel like when all your hard work pays off?
It is a great feeling. Sometime I forget about the hard work I put in. After a win you sometimes just think about the moment and not the build up towards that moment. So after the season when you lift the trophy and you reflect back that’s when you realise how hard you worked and that’s a great feeling
What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to achieve their dreams?
Keep on working hard. Dreams aren’t always easy to achieve. So work hard and keep on believing! There will be hard times, know that. But push through!! The Victory is sweet!!
DAN BOWDEN – LONDON IRISH
What motivates you to stay at the top of your game?
Trying to improve as a player all the time, you can always get better at some part of the game.
How do you deal with set backs and keep resilient?
Setbacks such as injuries are difficult to deal with, but knowing all the hard work is worth it when you get to run out alongside your mates keeps you motivated.
Who inspires you?
A lot of world class athletes who are at the top of their sport inspire me such as LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods because they perform when it’s all on the line.
What does it feel like when all your hard work pays off?
It feels great when all the hard work you put in pays off and you achieve team and personal goals that you were aiming for.
What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to achieve their dreams?
Believe in your dream and let nothing get in the way of you achieving it
DYLAN HARTLEY – NORTHAMPTON SAINTS & ENGLAND
What motivates you to stay at the top of your game?
The prospect of repeatedly playing for my country and the reality of someone else out there wanting to have my spot.
How do you deal with set backs and keep resilient?
Dealing with those setbacks in a positive manner and quietly going about your work to prove a point.
Who inspires you?
My parents. Wanting them to be proud of me, I use them as a motivator.
What does it feel like when all your hard work pays off?
Rugby is extremely physical. After a game you sometimes wonder why you play – but the reason is simple. I play because the prospect of winning outweighs everything. Winning justifies the sacrifices, the pain in training and on the field.
What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to achieve their dreams?
Surround yourself with good, honest people and pick the right role models for the right reasons.
LEE DICKSON – NORTHAMPTON SAINTS & ENGLAND
What motivates you to stay at the top of your game?
My family motivates me to stay at the top because I want my boys to be proud of their dad! The honour it is to play for you country also motivates me.
How do you deal with set backs and keep resilient?
Set back is a hard one you have to be very mentally tough. I deal with it by thinking I’ll be bigger and better when I get back! Also having the right environment and to be very positive!
Who inspires you?
My school coach
What does it feel like when all your hard work pays off?
Words can’t describe it. It is an amazing feeling getting to the top of your game. Very proud and happy moments!
What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to achieve their dreams?
Always believe in yourself and don’t let people say you are not good enough. Work hard on your skills and make sure you enjoy it and smile!
JAMES GASKELL – SALE SHARKS
What motivates you to stay at the top of your game?
The ambition of playing for England and hopefully above, wanting to leave a mark on the sport and making the most amount of money I can in the short career.
How do you deal with set backs and keep resilient?
Make sure I have something away from the sport that I can do if I get injured, knowing that somebody has got my jersey motivates me to get back as quick as I can and to prove myself.
Who inspires you?
My family, the players of Sale Sharks
What does it feel like when all your hard work pays off?
A massive sense of achievement and a huge buzz, winning a game makes the whole weekend enjoyable, lose a game and the weekend drags by and you dread Monday morning.
What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to achieve their dreams?
Be prepared for a lot of ups and downs never take criticism personally and hard work pays off eventually even if it doesn’t seem to straight away.
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