by Olivier Poirier-Leroy. Join 10,000 other swimmers and coaches who receive his weekly motivational newsletter (for free) by clicking here.
We all have those friends, or perhaps have been that friend, or perhaps we are completely that friend—who is exceptionally creative with excuses and talking a big game.
These swimmers always have something on the go, big plans, big goals, big moves to be made, but then what?
- They tell you about the cool new training they are going to start. (But then fizzle out after a few days.)
- They tell you about how they are going to get serious about swimming fast this year. (But then never do.)
- They talk about how they are finally ready fully commit to the team. (But don’t make any effort to actually go through with it.)
Eventually, when the dust clears and it has become apparent that they were all bluster and no muster (trademark!) you get to hear the reasons for why it didn’t work out:
How the world is out to get them.
How it ain’t fair.
How life seems to be conspiring against them.
The excuses you make will never take the place of doing the thing.
Remember:
Excuses are easy, and kind of like a thin blanket. Sure it might feel nice against your skin, and give you a passing moment of satisfaction, but it doesn’t really do anything.
It does nothing to solve the deep rooted desire to achieve something worthwhile.
After all, how many times have you heard a teammate mutter one of the following and rolled your eyes:
- I wanted to make it to early morning workout, but I couldn’t find a ride.
- I would have worked a little harder at practice this week, but I am too stressed out with school.
- I would have spent an extra ten minutes stretching after my workout, but I didn’t really feel like it.
Our goals don’t define us, the action we put forth does.
It’s impossible not to love the idea of being an excellent swimmer. Of being utterly world-class, of the accolades, the records and awards.
But that is where most people are comfortable. Thinking about it. Daydreaming about it.
Promising to themselves and others that one day, some day (that special non-existent 8th day of the week “Someday”), when they are up for it, they will chase greatness down.
But not now. Not today.
This is exceptionally common, and goes far beyond swimming. It’s easy to fall in love with the theory of something—being an astronaut, or a Transformer—but in practice, the process and grind of it are so overwhelming and repulsive to an overwhelming majority of people that we are forced to resign ourselves to, “If I really wanted to achieve that goal, I would.”
Everyone is in love with the idea of being an elite swimmer. But few have the stomach for the process and practice of being one.
At the end of the day, will you be the swimmer that doesn’t just talk a big game, but follows through with it?
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