For instance, if your team travels to a meet and you are to room with a team mate, it's generally better to room with someone who takes their swimming as seriously as you do - as otherwise the situation may arise where they are out of their events early and wanting to 'party' whilst you are trying to mentally prepare for finals races.
Even at the Olympics, this can be a big problem. If the rest of your team are unimpressed with your room choice, make sure they know that you are happy to see them anytime during the day - but at least you can get some sleep at night when you need it.
If you use a visualization tape (or your own music) for mentally programming yourself for a successful race, make sure you get some time alone (away from the noise) to do this - with your eyes closed, even just for a few minutes.
During meets this is not always easy however. In order to get the quiet-time you need, this could mean visualizing whilst in bed (in the morning or before bedtime), going outside the pool to the carpark, in the car, or even in a restroom cubicle if required!
All you need is a short period of quiet time to program yourself for success. If you use a discman or walkman with earpieces, nobody needs to know that you are visualizing at all, they will just assume you are just 'vibing out' to some music (which, in a way, you are - but just for other reasons!)
In the 30 minutes before a race you need to quieten your mind and begin to focus on the job ahead - using combinations of visualization, positive thoughts and powerful affirmations.
Unfortunately this can be a very difficult time to break away from the team in order to get this quiet time. Inform only your absolute closest friends and confidantes that you use this quiet time to do some mental exercises (or better still, don't tell anyone at all), as others may make this task very difficult for you if they find out (sad but true!). Remember, this is the practice of elite athletes - most everyday swimmers do not understand (or use) mental training at all, and will not make it easy for you if they find out.
Yes, even the world's best swimmers and athletes have to do this at some time in their careers. Some prefer to be loners, being alone in the solitude of their own thoughts for longer periods, whilst most combine this approach with a healthy, outgoing team attitude - which I think is preferable if you can find the correct balance.
A team can be a mighty boost to you in the pool and should not be discounted too lightly - but it's just important to ensure that they do not hinder your mental preparation. Find the balance - that's the key.
So apart from these crucial times of quiet mental training and psyching-up, enjoy your time with the team and be a part of it. It only requires short breaks of quiet-time to program yourself for success and regain your mental clarity, and so in between these times, be a member of the team and enjoy yourself.
Yes, it IS possible to be liked and be a winner, all at the same time - you just have to find the right balance that works best for you.
The Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited. The best of success,
Craig Townsend
