“Be the BEST possible you that YOU can be…”
For many years I have noticed swimmers comparing themselves to teammates, rivals, and siblings. This comparison has never lead to anything positive on the deck, in the pool, or in day to day life. It has always been my goal as a coach to get swimmers to focus on what they need to do to have success. During my wrap up speech at the end of the first session of summer swim camp at California University of Pennsylvania in 2007 it hit me. If we can be content and happy with doing the best that we can do, then in the end we have to accept it as our best and use it to our advantage. Now how could I convey that to a group of swimmers ranging in age from 9 to 17? The obvious answer was to put it in the simplest way possible.
"Be the best possible you that you can be." In the pool whether it is practice or a meet you are the only one in control. Yes, all the coaching, the yardage, and training play a part, but as a swimmer you are the one that makes the decisions to do what you need to do. We all want to be great. We all want to swim fast. We all aspire to achieve our goals. The problem lies in the fact that life can be hard and cruel. Sometimes what we want is not exactly what we are going to get. Realistic goal setting is a big part of how we go through life. At the end of the day it is only you that you see when you look in the mirror. Be happy with who you are and what you can accomplish. If you do your best and know that you gave 110% then no one; not you, your parents, or coaches can take that away from you.
For many years I have noticed swimmers comparing themselves to teammates, rivals, and siblings. This comparison has never lead to anything positive on the deck, in the pool, or in day to day life. It has always been my goal as a coach to get swimmers to focus on what they need to do to have success. During my wrap up speech at the end of the first session of summer swim camp at California University of Pennsylvania in 2007 it hit me. If we can be content and happy with doing the best that we can do, then in the end we have to accept it as our best and use it to our advantage. Now how could I convey that to a group of swimmers ranging in age from 9 to 17? The obvious answer was to put it in the simplest way possible.
"Be the best possible you that you can be." In the pool whether it is practice or a meet you are the only one in control. Yes, all the coaching, the yardage, and training play a part, but as a swimmer you are the one that makes the decisions to do what you need to do. We all want to be great. We all want to swim fast. We all aspire to achieve our goals. The problem lies in the fact that life can be hard and cruel. Sometimes what we want is not exactly what we are going to get. Realistic goal setting is a big part of how we go through life. At the end of the day it is only you that you see when you look in the mirror. Be happy with who you are and what you can accomplish. If you do your best and know that you gave 110% then no one; not you, your parents, or coaches can take that away from you.
Why should we worry about teammates, rivals, or sibling and how fast they go? They are not you. Sure there is a competitive nature to swimming and life. But, if we worry about what others are doing, it takes energy away from doing what we need to do. I have seen too many great swimmers walk away from the sport because they focused on being someone other than themselves. If you try to be someone else, you have 0% chance of success; if you try to be the best you, chances are much greater.
The idea for coaches is simple. If you can get your entire team to buy into this concept you are setting your team up for overall success. Happy and enthusiastic swimmers, when put together, breed success for each other. Relays come together, line-ups come together, and teams come together to achieve success at their championship meets. Armed with this simple concept I have seen incredible things happen, from team records broken, to qualifying times achieved. Most importantly, I have seen Personal Best Time after Personal Best Time achieved.
For parents this allows you to support your swimmer the best way you can. Be their #1 fan. The key is to do this through their good days and bad days. Setting realistic goals is a big part of how we go through life. Parents can play a big role in helping swimmers stay on their path to success. We as parents always want to see our children succeed, but it is how we support them that can lead to great things happening.
"Be the BEST possible you that YOU can be..." and what will you achieve?
In future posts, we will look at goal setting and all the great ways that we can take this simple statement and use it as a powerful motivational tool.
Coach Scott.
How inspiring for Everyone facing challenges in everyday life...that was really well said! The swimmers and parents are lucky to have you not only as the children's coach but mentor as well!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to do this for everyone to see....with the right inspiration and encouragement....you can move mountains!
Michelle