Do swimmers achieve greater career success?

Originally posted by aquageek Do you know the skill required or the wages paid to a brickmason? Let me tell you, it's a heck of a good career. I am involved in engineering/construction management in the Philadelphia area. We work with a lot of union workers. Yes, there is a boat load of skill/training and a boatload of money to be made if you want - if you are successful.

Interesting question Bill. When I was in grad school a fellow student did her dissertation on Nobel Prize winners to see if she could discover what they had in common that made them a success. She actually interview these folks! Anyway, from what I remember, the common thread among them was that they fell in love with their field at a very early age. This passion for their field was what motivated them through their career and lead to accomplishments/successes. So my guess would be that it isn't swimming that makes a person successful, but character traits that lead you to your passion. Those traits, intellectual curiosity, organizational skills, determination, to name a few, may also self select people to choose swimming as their form of physical exercise. Maybe not in so many words, but how many times have we heard on this forum that swimming is a person's passion? If there is any link between a successful career and swimming then it must be due to the passion one feels for both.

Well said Laineybug - at some point in this thread, I tried to say that, but stumbled all over myself and it came out like crud.:(

OK, so let's pose a new question: How does swimming benefit you in your work life? ~SB

Thank you Paul

Originally posted by Swimmer Bill How does swimming benefit you in your work life? Swimming at lunch keeps me out of office politics. Actually, swimming really helps me to manage work-related stress. I'm pretty new to swimming (since August), so I often focus completely on one small aspect of my technique, then switch it up. The ability to maintain singular concentration while simultaneously carrying out a plethora of other actions benefits many aspects of my life. Also, staying relaxed, but going *fast* is what I'm aiming for, in the pool and at work.

Originally posted by Conniekat8 I didn't kniow that about you :D What kind of Engineering? Mechanical - everything including HVAC, plumbing, some fire protection, high purity water, medical gas, waste treatment, etc. Most of my work is for pharmaceutical or medical facilities.

Originally posted by Swimmer Bill OK, so let's pose a new question: How does swimming benefit you in your work life? ~SB When I swim before work - a really hard workout - I get the swimmer's high. My mind is so focused and I get sooooo much done in the first 3-4 hours. If I swim at lunch, I get the same effect in the afternoon.

I'll just repeat what was already said... I don't think swimmers are any different from other people that exercise a lot. All of us that do exercise generally seem happier in our lives than general population, and I do believe that we tend to be more succesful in the "at peace with oneself" department.

Originally posted by Scansy I am involved in engineering/construction management in the Philadelphia area. I didn't kniow that about you :D What kind of Engineering?