Before a recent boxing match, a trainer had his fighter repeat “I’m the man! I’m a tiger! I’m a beast! I’m invincible!” That motivation was effective until shortly after the bell. About two minutes after the match began, the fighter was KO’d by his opponent who actually knew how to box!
This inept tiger was really a cub who had no business in a professional ring. His trainer would have served him better in advising him to train a lot more rather than feeding him motivational theory. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of motivational theory, but only when it is partnered with capability.