From an Olympians' experience- What motivates a swimmer to get out of bed in the morning to go training.
Looking back on the years of training and dedication that got me to 2 Olympic Games and 3 Olympic Finals, I think about what was it that got me out of bed on those mornings I was so tired and wanted to stay in bed. I often get asked, "Did you ever not want to go training or feel like quitting?" And the answer is yes, and the answer will be the same for the majority of World Class swimmers. Competitive sport is extremely tough and challenging and it's completely normal for us to have feelings of wanting to give up. Here are some motivational ideas/ thoughts that
pushed me to get out of bed and commit to my training:
- Ask yourself, Why am I doing this? To do be the best I can be, to beat my personal best, do get under 1min for 100 Fly, to win, I want to be on that Team.
- Remember how it felt when I missed out on that Final and the time I missed out on making a team?
- Is going to training going to get me closer to my goal or further away?
- I don't have to go, but I'm going to feel worse if I don't go training.
- Put your personal time goals on your bedroom wall, a reminder of what you want to achieve. It was such a good feeling achieving a personal time goal and being able to rip apart the piece of paper with the old time on and create a new goal time.
- Everyone else will be at training, I'm going to miss out.
- What will my competitors be doing?
- If I get up I can have Breakfast!
- Deep down I want to be doing this and I know I'm not ready to stop swimming.
Everyone will have different goals and different ideas that motivate them to go training. What works for you?
