Moving Up To A New Age Group
Do
you feel under pressure when you move up into a new age-group of swimming
competitors?
It seems that many swimmers do. Many seem to feel that any reputation they may
have earned in the past age group no longer means anything now that they're
swimming against older swimmers, and this really isn't true.
If you were a "performer" in your past age group, then your reputation
will follow you into the next one - and don't worry, everyone will want to know
who you are and what you've done in the past. Your reputation as a good
swimmer will follow you wherever you go, never worry about that. And there
is nothing surer than the fact that you will eventually show everyone what you
are capable of doing, no matter how long it takes.
Of course, it is true that that in junior swimming there is often a physical
advantage to the older swimmers of an age-group in size and strength, however I
have found that the worst part of 'aging up' is that many swimmers mentally give
up, because they think they will automatically come last in every race against
older swimmers.
Once a swimmer has given up mentally, it wouldn't matter if they had the
talent of Ian Thorpe or Inge De Bruijn, they simply would not perform. When
the body is being powered along by a mind which has given up, the body has no
option but to give up as well. For your body to perform, your mind must be
directed towards a positive goal.
So the first thing to do (in this new situation of older competitors) is to look
for ways to boost yourself up mentally, or even turn the situation around
completely, until you actually find it an advantage to being the youngest in
your age group!
For instance, have you ever thought that possibly the older swimmers would not
enjoy losing to a younger swimmer, and they may be feeling a little pressured to
perform better than usual?
Really, the new kid on the block should have no pressure to perform at all,
as no-one really knows what to expect from them in the older age group. Yet
the more established swimmers may feel they have their 'position' and
reputations at risk from some young upstart swimmer who has burst onto the
scene!
Even if this isn't the case (yet), these are great scenarios you can play
through your mind to help take the pressure off!
Also, remember that any sign of 'unfriendliness' directed towards you by some of
the older swimmers may simply be due to the fact that some of them are feeling a
little threatened by your presence! Once again, this is something you should use
for inspiration, rather than worrying that everyone does not like you.Something
you must always remember is that most highly successful people are NOT liked by
everyone, because there will always be people out there who are simply
jealous of their success.
In fact, criticism from other people can almost be regarded as a sign that you
are making progress!
No-one can make it to the top of the heap without having to overcome
negativity and criticism from others along the way, this is all just a normal
part of being successful. Remember, the more successful you become, the more
criticism you'll attract - this is just part of the price of fame!
So don't automatically assume that the older swimmers have all the advantages,
because even if you are not quite up to their speeds yet, you will soon be
breathing down their necks! Hang tough and you will succeed.
"The
Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited".
The best of success, Craig Townsend