By Melissa Wolf, Swimming World College Intern
As you dive into 2019 with a fresh resolve and big goals set for yourself for the next year, use these simple ideas to help you reach your goals.
Break Down the Goal
You don’t decide to climb Mount Everest without first conquering a smaller challenge. Make swimming the same. Dropping one second in swimming can seem daunting unless you break it into ten separate little steps to conquer first. Make a sheet with your current time and your goal time in which you can cross off times as you achieve them; this will allow you to watch yourself inch closer to the goal time you want to swim.
Set goals in off events as well. As you conquer those goals, you will build your confidence and momentum in all the other events.
On Deck
Bring your goals with you every time you practice. Attach them to your water bottle or equipment bag. Make sure you see them and the fine points you need to focus on to reach them every time you hit the pool!
Off Deck
Find a way to keep your goals in sight – literally. Post them all over your room, school locker, refrigerator, car: everywhere and anywhere! When you are focused on what you want, it will make it easier to put the work in to get it! Leave yourself encouraging notes and enlist the help of your family and team to keep you on track and climbing toward the top of the mountain.
Find a friend
Don’t go at it alone. Bring someone with you on this journey who can encourage you and that you can cheer on as well! Make it a game; see who can take the most baby steps as you climb the mountain together. Share your journey on your social media, let people know you have goals and share what you are doing to achieve them.
Streaks – Otherwise Known as Practice Attendance
Make practice, strength training and nutrition as important as your Snapchat streaks. Keep the end goal in mind as you make sure you find a way everyday to work towards the goals you set for 2019 and beyond!
Dream big dreams for your swimming this season, and write those dreams down; make goals that can be broken down into baby steps, and find many ways to stay encouraged as you keep to your plan. 2019 is just starting. Don’t let it pass you by: make it happen!
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.