A common problem I come across is where a swimmer (for various reasons) are actually scared to win - often feeling too scared to finish a race off, or pass a particular swimmer in a meet or even training. This can be due to a variety of reasons - such as intimidation, fear and (yes, believe it or not) even being physically hit by competitors as they pass them in races! But what it really comes down to is that these swimmers are simply scared of success - and (more correctly) the unwanted attention that success will bring. This might sound ridiculous but it is far more common than most people imagine.

Deep down in the subconscious of some swimmers, often the mind can actually associate more stress with success, rather than with failure. (Of course, the other swimmers often find this quite unbelievable and do not understand how this problem could possibly happen). Swimmers who experience fear of failure often find that success might bring things they don't always like - such as verbal abuse by competitors, unwanted attention from spectators etc - and this can create a belief that it is simply easier to come second or third than to actually win.  This belief often creates a recurring pattern, such as losing races from in the lead, or not being willing to pass a swimmer, even when you know that you can.

This means that the swimmer (at the deepest subconscious level, which they are often not consciously aware of) is associating pain with winning, and pleasure in losing - purely due to the stress factor. One sure thing about human beings is that they ALWAYS move away from emotional pain and towards pleasure. The problem here is that they are moving away from success!

The way to overcome this is to completely reverse the situation, and begin associating pleasure with success. This is done by consciously thinking of all the good things that success will bring - and leaving out the negative ones altogether. These good things might include 'being congratulated' by friends, family or coaches, feeling good after the race, etc - whatever makes you feel good about success. Then, just to make sure, attach pain to the idea of failure - by thinking about the negative side of failure, such as the 'feeling of not being good enough' etc.

By actively working on this over weeks or months, you will naturally continue moving towards pleasure (as all humans do) but instead, it will bring you success. Humans must enjoy what they are doing in order to succeed, otherwise their results will simply begin to go in the wrong direction - eg. very few swimmers succeed who hate swimming!

So attach pleasure to all your goals, and you will move the in their direction confidently and powerfully.

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

Interested in getting more from About Swimming? You can check the latest news headlines in Swimming News, voice your opinion on the About Swimming Forum, cast your vote on the Swimming Poll, start or take part in an on-going About Swimming chat, and receive regular updates from this site by signing up for the About Swimming newsletter. 

Take the latest swimming poll