The secrets of self-motivation by Dina Asher-Smith

Holding records in the 100m (10.83 secs), 200m (21.88 secs) and 4x100m (41.77 secs), Dina Asher-Smith is the fastest woman in British history. Life for her has always been lived in the fast lane crossing one hurdle after another in her quest to get over the finish line. In her pursuit to chase excellence, the athlete offers a host of inspirational tips that sees her at the very top of her game. 

I remember watching the Athens Olympics in 2004 when I was about eight years old.

Seeing Kelly Holmes win double gold was my first encounter with elite sports and I recall thinking that was what I wanted to do – I wanted to be an Olympian.

When a race is about to start, I try to focus on just one thing.

If you overthink it, you’ll mess up even the stuff you can do with your eyes closed. So take all the limitations out of your brain, look down the track and just go.

I think nerves are a really important part of my performance.

As a sprinter, I need that adrenalin spike because it gives me my fight-or-flight response. I love having butterflies–that moment when the stadium is silent and all you can feel is your heartbeat. It’s what I live for.

What sets you apart in a race is your mental strength.

At my level, everyone has a similar physical ability and has worked hard, so it’s about not just how much you want it but also how much you’re prepared to deal with the situation you’re in. So much of what we do on the track – and in
life and work – is predicated by our mental choices.

I’m a chronic perfectionist.

As I get older, though, I’m learning that’s not always the most productive attitude, and not necessarily the way to get the best out of yourself. 

When a race doesn’t go to plan, the biggest thing you should have worked on becomes very clear.

I always try to learn from that, build on it and review what I could do differently next time. But it’s also good to remember that I’m going for the 0.1 percent here so, relatively speaking, I’m already starting from an excellent place and just trying to be even better.

If there’s something you want to do in life, you can do it through hard work.

It might not be easy, and you might have ups and downs. But just because something hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it can’t be done – and you can be the one to do it.

This piece originally appeared in the March 2023 print issue of Harper's Bazaar UK