SWIMMERS: Regan Smith and winning the things you control
In a recent podcast with SwimSwam, 8x Olympic medalist Regan Smith discussed her mindset leading into US Trials and the Paris Olympics.
There was a quote in the interview that really stuck out and I think a ton of swimmers can use to better their own swimming.
And it goes like this:
“How can you win in ways that are within your control? With respect to my competition, I have no control over what the people in the next lane are doing and the insane things they are accomplishing. I can only do what I can do.”
Aaaand boom goes the dynamite.
Smith’s perspective here is awesome.
She recognizes that focusing on the performances of others doesn’t help her swim better.
She cannot control how fast other swimmers go.
And her quote cuts to middle of the following:
Swimming is full of things we don’t control: The competition, the warm-up pool, meet conditions, external expectations.
Too many swimmers waste their limited energy and focus on trying to change things they can’t.
They fixate on what’s happening on the other lane, a bad practice from a month ago, what people in the media are saying.
And so…
Smith realizes that the goal is to always “win” the things within her field of influence.
Win the Things You Control
One of the hardest lessons to learn in the water as that if you want to excel, you need to spend more time focusing on your performances and less time stressing/dwelling on the performances of others.
Which means zeroing in on stuff like:
- How you respond to adversity
- The pre-race routine you use
- The mindset you bring with you behind the blocks
- How hard you work at practice each day
- Taking care of yourself between workouts
Stuff that has nothing to do with the competition.
(But ironically, also gives you the best chance possible of beating the competition.)
Today, as you go through the motions of training, ask yourself:
“How can I win in ways that I can control?”
It will lead to less stressing about other people’s expectations.
It will lead to you not focusing on the performances of others.
And yes, it will lead you to swimming better than ever.
See you in the water,
Olivier
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