The Importance of Grit: Possessing this Trait Can Promote Greater Success
Something my college coach talks a lot about is grit. Elite swimmers are not purely just the most talented swimmers. They tend to boast the most grit, or ability to reach down for something special. The swimmers who can grind through challenges. These are the swimmers who slow down the least. Despite what many people may think, grit is not some ultra magical skill that is impossible to achieve. True grit is passion and perseverance and that is what the swimmers at the highest level possess.
My coach sent out an email recently that included a long quote detailing the essence of grit. In summary, an extraordinary athlete continues to execute even as they fall apart. They control their mind when life gets hard, and steady their mind for the race they know has just begun. Gritty people execute the basic skills with precision and consistency just as much as they do with the difficult skills. In other words, it is the little, everyday things that make someone great. Grit is not just persevering through tough times. It is keeping up with the basics even when they get boring.
When the sets are hard and the days are long, and you want to quit, keep going. When the sets are boring, the drills repetitive, and the little details mind numbing, keep going. Even when all you want to do is breathe off of the walls, keep your head down. Do not give in when you want to cut out some of your underwater dolphin kicks off the walls. Practice every single little detail in the pool with unflinching consistency.
Outside of the pool, practice recovery just as hard as you practice in the pool. From the food you fuel your body with throughout the day, to the amount of sleep you get each night. Whether or not you stretch after each workout, to getting extra help with aches and pains when needed. These are important areas of focus, and should be emphasized just as much as the details worked on in the pool.
In addition, I believe that grit is also knowing when it is time to hit the brakes, as well as when it is time to hit the gas. In those moments, deciding to respect your body’s limits, and take care of it, are a sign of grit as well. It can be easy to shove any feeling of pain and discomfort down in an effort to not miss any practice time. However, that does not do anybody any favors, least of all you. Take the time to heal when your body is telling you something is wrong. For times like these, the rules still apply. Rest with diligence. Perform rehab with the same intensity, focus, and consistency as you would your normal training workouts. Treat the basics with the utmost care. You will get back to the pool and your passion will still be there.
The essence of grit, and what makes a champion is not rocket science. Doing the basics with extraordinary consistency will help you reach new heights.