Finding Murray’s magic

Research suggests that it is Andy Murray's ability to manage goals, as well as his skill, drive and motivation that makes him such a successful athlete. Murray dropped out of the French Open after a back injury this year, missing out on his goal of playing in four grand slam finals in a row. But this decision has allowed him to recuperate in time for Wimbledon this month. According to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, athletes who recognise early when a goal is unattainable and switch their focus to other objectives are the most successful at achieving their main career goals. The researchers, from the universities of Birmingham and Southampton, found that the reasons why a person is motivated to achieve tough sporting goals influence how well that person does in pursuing these goals. A person who is motivated by the enjoyment or personal importance of a goal will strive harder and for longer and will be more successful in achieving an increasingly difficult goal, compared to someone motivated by external pressure or feelings of guilt. But when the goal becomes so difficult that it is unattainable, people who are self-motivated find it harder to stop striving for their goal.