5 Lessons from Competitive Swimming

The past several weeks I have watched swimming on the computer here and here. Kate is a swimmer, but I have always followed swimming. I grew up the era of Mark Spitz, and Michael Phelps is the new Spitz. As the World Championships finished in Shanghai I began to ponder what I had learned from the swimmers. While there are many lessons, I will share five that I believe you can apply to life and leadership.

1. Swim your own race. You will hear that phrase when swimmers are interviewed after a race. That means they did what they came to do, and didn't worry too much about the guy in the lane next to them. Focus on your goals, and not at what those around you are doing or not doing!

2.There are a lot of fast swimmers, so you have to do your best. You can't be a slacker and win. I heard Michael Phelps say that Ryan Lochte had trained harder, and that is why Lochte beat him in several races! You may be good, even great...but there are always others that are better or working harder. Kate has a t-shirt that says, "hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."

3. One bad day at the pool isn't reason to quit. Some days the other guy is faster or has better technique. Perseverance, persistence and patience apply in or out of the pool.

4. Time matters. In the pool, races are won and lost on .01 of a second. In life, love is spelled TIME. Show your love by spending time with those that important to you.

5. Relays are fun! You get encouragement from being on a team that is working together. Everyone striving for the same goal.

What would you add to this list?