#2001-04 - The Power of One

It's important for you to know that you have a mind as powerful as a Ferrari just waiting for your instructions. This unbelievable computer mechanism you possess has the ability to create huge personal best times (through a mental state known as 'the zone'), overcome pain instantly, and create an immense burst of energy (through natural adrenalin-release) at a time when you may feel that you can't swim another stroke.

The fuel for your mind is your thoughts. Your thoughts are made up of pictures (or images), words and feelings, and these are the data you put into your mental 'computer' every single day, and especially the days of the meets. To put it simply, your results are determined by the data you are putting into your computer. Why? Because the mind controls the body, not the other way around. Positive thoughts affect your performance in the same way a Ferrari reacts to premium high-grade fuel, but be very careful because on the other side of the coin, your body also reacts to negative thoughts the way a Ferrari would run with water in its tank.

The thing to remember is that your mind is a computer which is constantly being programmed by you every moment of the day - and it is always listening to your thoughts! So be careful what you choose to think, and keep those thoughts (and your language) positive at all times if you want to be running a positive program through your mind on big race days.

Remember that human beings use only 1% of their mind's potential - and this means that there is more untapped potential within you than you could possibly imagine! In swimming, this means that if you put your mind to it, there are no situations that cannot be turned around, no races that cannot be won, and no competitors you cannot beat, assuming you have the same level of training as they do.

You are basically unlimited, the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves. The key lies in the quality of your thoughts - and this means the 'pictures' you fill your mind with all week, and the constantly-talking inner dialogue that goes on in your mind all day, every day.

So here are some questions to ponder: Are you visualizing images of success, or 'horror movies' of failure? Are you constantly boosting yourself up, or tearing yourself down? Do you always focus on the upside, or worry about 'uncontrollables' that you have no power over? Do you worry about your competitors, or imagine that they are worried about you? Are you intending to attack and further a lead you may have, or worry about defending it?

Always remember that YOU are the one in control of it all. Don't worry about other lanes or competitors, focus your power upon your own lane and your own swim. You have more power within you to realize your dreams than you could possibly imagine - you just have to know it is there.

The Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited.
The best of success, Craig Townsend

More Mind Training Tips for Swimmers

Motivation & Sport Psychology for Swimmers

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