3 Reasons Your Teammates Are Important
Swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Every day would be spent at the pool in some way, whether it was swimming, spectating or coaching. I was always at the pool, always a member of a team and always had a deep love for my sport.
2020 came and I was having the best season of my entire life. I had accomplished goals that had once seemed so far out of reach that they had not even made my beginning of the season goal paper. Sometimes I still cannot believe I achieved them, but the real question is what changed to make them possible? It could have been so many things, but when it comes down to it I already know the answer. Supportive teammates.
College swimming is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The two and a half years I have spent at college so far have been the best of my swimming career, not only because I have swum fast, but I found the most supportive group of women I have ever known. So why are your teammates important? Here are 3 reasons that teammates are so important:
They become your home away from home
Your teammates become your family. Eventually you begin to push through the rough times and hard practices not only for yourself but for the people around you. You turn to your left and right to your teammates and the impossible suddenly becomes possible. They need your support just as much as you need their backing. Your teammates are with you 24/7. They train with you, live with you, eat with you and become a part of you. It is truly a special bond.
They help you achieve your goals, both individually and as a team
When a collective group puts all of their efforts into one goal, there is nothing that can stop them. It is cliché, but the sum of all the parts is greater than the whole. If all teammates are on the same page, magic can happen. Synergy is the most important part of team success. If everyone is straight forward on how the team measures its success, the team is more likely to be happy with their results, both individually and as a whole.
They teach you to believe in yourself
The easy part about being on a team is believing in your teammates. You watch them work their butts off every day and it is difficult to doubt them. Believing in yourself can be the hardest part. I have always struggled with this, but it certainly becomes easier with a supportive team behind you. Believing in each member individually makes it impossible to not believe in the collective.
Success is inevitable when a team comes together. During rough times, leaning on teammates is super important. The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult to handle, but with the help of teammates we will get through it. This year I am thankful for my teammates more than ever.