Lost motivation

RE: Lost motivation

Former Member — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:00:33 GMT

I found an article I cut out from American Swimming Magazine 2008 Issue 3 titled Goldminds - How to stay motivated by Wayne Goldsmith and Helen Morris (From Swimming Australia). I think it may help you. Good luck, Coach T. By the way, if you Google Wayne Goldsmith and Helen Morris, you'll find a lot of nice aritcles on motivation.

RE: Lost motivation

aquajock — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:14:04 GMT

Sometimes you have to look at what's happening with your life and figure out what needs tweaking. If you are having personal problems or a ton of stress at work, that isn't the best time (at least for me) to aim for best times or training at a very intense level. When things are difficult, I approach my training as a restorative part of my life and do it in a way that I enjoy. If its colder than I like for swimming (we have to swim outside all year), I take an indoor Zumba class. If I crave the quiet and meditative, I'll go to a park for a walk or practice Qigong. If I want to watch the clouds when I'm swimming, I flip over and do backstroke. Then I always stay in shape, never get into a rut with my training and then naturally can tell when I'm ready to step up my yardage and effort again. In winter, I got to hibernation in my swimming and so I only swim so so SCY and do much better LCM and SCM. I don't beat myself up about it - it's just the way I am. I'd rather be fit and healthy all the time than swim until I hated it and end up retiring to the couch!

RE: Lost motivation

Jeanne — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:10:27 GMT

Are you allowing swimming to become "one more chore/demand" in your life instead of remembering the pleasure of swimming? Have you set goals in swimming that are not being met- do you still see progress in your swimming? Instead of taking a break, perhaps you might want to simply ponder what changes you need to make yourself feel happy again.

RE: Lost motivation

Former Member — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:18:43 GMT

Thank you all for the answers. I will take some ideas. I decided to stop swimming for a week and see what happens. I think the reason is related to high levels of stress. To answer some questions: I don't practice any other sport. I do keep track of what I do every day in practice (distance, times, stretch, lifting). I have a meet in two weeks, I will go even though I'm in a really bad shape.

RE: Lost motivation

ande — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:45:40 GMT

Thank you Ann Wow, Ande! :applaud:

RE: Lost motivation

Former Member — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:39:11 GMT

How often do you participate in meets? I find that if I know a meet is coming up I will train harder and go to the pool more often. Besides, I find that swimming to be in practice shape is much less motivating than preparing for a race. Do you have a training partner? Swimming alone is difficult. Having a partner to push you and not let down by skipping practices is a great way to swim hard and be consistent Are you busy? I'm often swamped with schoolwork and may only get 20-40 minutes in a day, but since I know I can only swim very little I'll work extra hard to make it count.

RE: Lost motivation

orca1946 — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 04:58:34 GMT

NEW. Do you do other sports? Do you swim on a team?

RE: Lost motivation

swim53 — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:31:03 GMT

Wow, Ande! :applaud:

RE: Lost motivation

jmkregor — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:43:58 GMT

Hi Ande, I loved your song "After You Lose". I played it five times. (it's in the reply to Lost motivation). thanks!

RE: Lost motivation

Former Member — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:21:21 GMT

It sounds like its time to take a break or train for a new event. Perhaps just commit to training twice weekly with the team for a few weeks and focus on a different stroke or perhaps train for an event you have never swum, or not swum in a long time? I think most of us have our ups and downs :bighug:

RE: Lost motivation

ande — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:57:25 GMT

Answered your question in ASK ANDE