Sports Psychology and the art of feeling good about yourself....or not
Former Member
Confession time: I struggle with a committee in my head (and I've tried to ignore 'em) that tells me things like...."you suck"..."you'll never get any better", blah blah blah.
Now that BillS has encouraged me to delete that dreaded work from my lexicon, I am sure that another one will pop up.
I know this is kind of a rant....but how does one really feel good about themselves as a swimmer yet avoid being delusional? Seriously....how do you keep a balance of positive thinking while being able to honestly regard how you swim and what needs to change/improve?
What do you guys do? Is it good coaching, simply having a solid self esteem in the first place....?? Is it simply that people carry their low self esteem into the water...if so, how do you overcome that...?
Thoughts?? What in the world is sports psychology anyway?
Kari,
I feel like I'm following you from thread to thread.
Get yourself to some of our workouts, there's no time to feel negative or depressed- too much fun and hard work going on. Kerry is a great cheerleader. He doesn't always know the exact right thing to say, but you know he is ALWAYS THERE and believes in you. He can be very matter of fact which I admire and need to hear!
I love to go to workouts where I didn't want to go- those are ALWAYS my best ones. The other 90% of the time I give myself a challenge during a set. Usually they are time challenges (I'll do this 25 fly on :14, etc..) However, other times they are physical challenges. I'll only breathe 3 times on this 50; I'll make sure I anchor my right arm before I pull; there are a million things to choose from.
I usually make the timed goals I set or come within a second, so I feel pretty good. I've learned a lot about technique from Kerry so in my mind I feel like I know where I can "pick up a tenth" here or there: "if I just put my hand here" "if I hold that streamline a little longer"- and the physical challenges hurt a lot (breath holding especially) and if I make it I think of it like I just made another deposit in the swimming bank, and when I'm hurting in a race I'll remember "hey, you've done this before, you can do it".
Just some ramblings, sorry.
Moral: It's YOUR shoulder and your swimming, think good things and make small goals that you will achieve; build confidence and then move on. I've seen you swim and know you can do whatever you put your mind to. No, it won't be easy, but the good fight is never easy. Come swim with us!!!!
Kari,
I feel like I'm following you from thread to thread.
Get yourself to some of our workouts, there's no time to feel negative or depressed- too much fun and hard work going on. Kerry is a great cheerleader. He doesn't always know the exact right thing to say, but you know he is ALWAYS THERE and believes in you. He can be very matter of fact which I admire and need to hear!
I love to go to workouts where I didn't want to go- those are ALWAYS my best ones. The other 90% of the time I give myself a challenge during a set. Usually they are time challenges (I'll do this 25 fly on :14, etc..) However, other times they are physical challenges. I'll only breathe 3 times on this 50; I'll make sure I anchor my right arm before I pull; there are a million things to choose from.
I usually make the timed goals I set or come within a second, so I feel pretty good. I've learned a lot about technique from Kerry so in my mind I feel like I know where I can "pick up a tenth" here or there: "if I just put my hand here" "if I hold that streamline a little longer"- and the physical challenges hurt a lot (breath holding especially) and if I make it I think of it like I just made another deposit in the swimming bank, and when I'm hurting in a race I'll remember "hey, you've done this before, you can do it".
Just some ramblings, sorry.
Moral: It's YOUR shoulder and your swimming, think good things and make small goals that you will achieve; build confidence and then move on. I've seen you swim and know you can do whatever you put your mind to. No, it won't be easy, but the good fight is never easy. Come swim with us!!!!
