Who Do You Swim For?
Champion swimmers train every day and swim at meets because
it is their OWN personal ambition. No-one else's, just their own. Sure, it's also nice to win
for other people, such as parents, coach or friends, but if these other people
became the MAIN reason why they trained everyday, they simply would NOT succeed,
it's as simple as that.
If these swimmers do achieve some results, it would only be through
sacrificing something far more important, such as happiness in their own life.
This is a major point, because regularly I see swimmers becoming disillusioned
with their swimming because they feel that they are striving for goals which are
not their own, but someone else's.
Often these swimmers feel pressured to perform, and often feel 'guilty'
at the very thought of changing their goals to something they might actually
want (such as changing events, meets, or even having a break) - all because they
feel emotionally responsible to keep someone else happy.
The bottom line is this - you cannot succeed unless you enjoy what you are
doing.
This is NOT to say that you have to enjoy every single moment (there'll always
be some areas which may not be enjoyable), but the overall reason why you get
out of bed in the morning must be because you are happy with what you are doing.
This is actually a major principle which applies to 'life' as well as
swimming - you must either enjoy it, or find a way to enjoy it - if you
wish to succeed.
No-one else's motivation will ever be enough to keep you going, you must have
the motivation inside you already.
All champions are self-motivated, driven people, they know what they want and
they go after it - and they would never, ever bother trying to accomplish
something that did not motivate them, not even if their best friend wanted them
to do it. This is because they'd know that it would be a simple waste of their
time and energy.
It's important to swim for yourself, and no-one else. Because this is only
kind of motivation which will succeed, or be for your own benefit. Once again,
it is always NICE to win for other people, but don't make them your focus - or
it will steer you in the wrong direction. Always follow your heart and do what
makes you happy, and you cannot go wrong.
"The
Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited".
The best of success, Craig Townsend