Sunday 30 December 2012

Blog 1478: 5 attributes of a champion



...for honesty is the foundation for success in a coach-athlete relationship.  Being honest means not only telling the truth but also being frank, open, and pro-active in all communication.  This can be difficult for both sides to do.  Which is precisely why it is so important. Tell your coach what is going on we cannot read minds.

2. Fun.

Embrace challenges and look at failure as an opportunity to learn and get better.  Enjoy the process of improvement always keeping the goal in sight.  Relax. Swimming fast is the fun bit and makes all the hard work worth it.

3. Practice. Compete. Repeat.

Every practice is a competition.  Excellence is contagious among teammates who support one another, give each other a high or congratulate one another on success in training.  Every competition is a practice.  No race stands alone.  Rather, it is a product of habits, training, and past preparation.  Learn from it and rehearse for the future. 

 4. Respect All. Fear None.

Honor the sport by giving ultimate effort.  Honor the competition by expecting the same.  Respect those who strive for victory.  Any can win, and any may be beaten. Winning right is as important as losing well, have grace in both.

 5. Work Hard

There is no substitute for hard work.  Not a special suit.  Not a coach.  This is a no-gimmicks sport.  Fast times are the direct result of challenging and purposeful actions taken repeatedly.  The clock never lies. There is no such thing as talent only hard work and correct repetition.