![Aid! The rest of the team's swimmers](https://spa-about.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2853A0F9-4A3F-43FD-BF58-0D9DCBA18B21-1-810x330.jpg)
We swimmers make comparisons all the time. We go out to the pool, look at who is in the water and go directly to the self-assessment. Help The other swimmers in the team
The comparisons we make are done subconsciously and they make us feel bad, especially when they are not fair, or when they are meaningless or hold us back from our goals. ΄΄This swimmer is very tall. There is no way I can beat him''. Thanks to the internet we have an endless number of swimmers to compare ourselves to.
We compare ourselves with our competitors, with our fellow athletes, there is no end to this cycle of comparisons, if we ourselves do not press the mute button. Here are some tips and fun facts on how to curb this bad but human habit.
#1. EVOLUTION COMES IN DIFFERENT PHASES TO EACH OF US
We use the clock and leaderboard to measure ourselves against other swimmers, which makes sense. However, this method is oversimplified.
Some children grow up to 1 meter in one summer at the age of 13, others grow slowly and steadily, others at the age of 16 and others at the age of 22. YOU CHANGE YOUR OWN COURSE. How long it takes to self-improve is up to you. Just because the person next to you dropped their time by 5 seconds in 1 month, doesn't mean you will do the same. Whatever your case, try not to use other people's progress as an example. But, use the success of others as proof of what you can accomplish. "IF THEY CAN, SO CAN I."
Aid! The rest of the team's swimmers
#2. COMPARISONS CAN MOTIVATE YOU
<< When I was little we would take home a magazine that had the ratings of all the swimmers in the world. I used to photocopy my competitors page, underline the names and try to match their stats. In that sense, the comparison helped me, because it pushed me to train and gave me a goal. On the other hand, I was frustrated by the high scores of other athletes and felt helpless and worthless. If I could go back in time I would advise me not to waste my time on magazines and focus on my preparation. If something doesn't help you, stop wasting time and energy on it. >>
![](https://spa-about.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/4AC746E3-E987-42AE-ADB0-D020A414C3DC-1.jpg)
#3. COMPARISON AS A CAUSE FOR IMPROVEMENT
Competition and matchups with others show us that it is possible to improve and can encourage us to look at whether we have really maximized our efforts and strengths. Faster swimmers than you push you to be more honest with yourself and your abilities.
#4. NOW YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO HUNT, YOU HAVE YOUR...RABBIT!
Seeing a fellow athlete doing great in training must be exciting. Why; Because now you have someone to chase. Someone who challenges you to be better every day. One of the downsides of being the best on your team is that you get left behind and don't try to improve since you have no competition. It's always better to train with athletes who are better than you because that way you improve much faster, trying to catch up with them.
#5. WINNING ONLY MATTERS WHEN YOU GET BETTER
Beating others isn't the ultimate reward, especially if you're stagnant and not improving. There are athletes who finished last, but they were very happy because they improved their time and that was their reward. There are also athletes who finished first, but the victory was not so sweet for them because they swam much later than their personal record. As nice as gold medals and victory are, the satisfaction of maximizing our talent is priceless. Motivation, confidence and all positive feelings come from pushing our own limits, not pushing someone else's. Help The other swimmers in the team
#6. COMPARISONS WITHOUT LIMITS
In fact, there will always be someone faster than you. Even if you're the fastest in history, there's someone out there who's going to beat you at some point. This is the never-ending story in sports. There will always be someone faster, better, taller, prettier.. Does that mean you should give up? Not working hard? Of course not. WORK HARD. SWIM FAST. SEE WHERE YOU CAN GET.
Saltamanikas Nikolas
TEFAA graduate, swimming specialty
Class A swimming coach
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