By Sofia Coraines

If you have dreams and aspirations of becoming an elite swimmer, then you should know that it is not as simple as desiring it. There are many mental and emotional changes that will need to take place and while swimming is highly physical, you will need to evolve as a person. This article will take a look at some of the habits and changes that you will need to embrace if you truly want to swim at a national and international level and succeed at it.

First of all, you should never allow others to say what you're capable of doing. Well, you may not be able to control other people's words, you do have control over their effect on you. There is nothing more stressful than having people that you love, trust or look up to, telling you that you're not capable of doing something. However, if this is happening to you, you will need to learn how to push away such words and don't let them get to you. People will always try to place limitations on you, however, you need to learn to block them out.

Next, you have to not just say that you want to be a competitive swimmer, all your actions need to align with that. It is easy to talk about how much you want something or want to be successful. However, if you don't actually do the things necessary to achieve your goal, you're simply treading water. Once your actions reflect your intentions, you will certainly be much closer to becoming an elite athlete.

Personal integrity is another trait that you will have to develop, if you don't already have it. This basically means that you not only keep your promises to others, but also yourself. Many people start off on a journey with strong personal resolve, but over time, that resolve weakens until they simply abandon their goal. You will have to develop and strengthen your own integrity so that your resolve never breaks.

The grind is another aspect of daily life that you'll have to deal with. In order to become an elite swimmer, you will have to put in the work every day and not just when you feel like it. Embracing the grind is essential for success and the one thing that will propel you forward.

You will also have to develop a plan. Many people simply go through life without a plan or road map to follow. This is detrimental to your goals because in order to achieve anything specific, you need to have a specific plan. After all, if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. So, be sure that you develop a specific plan that will help you to become an elite swimmer and stick to it.

According to psychology, you become the average of the five people that you're closest to. So, it is important to surround yourself with other top swimmers since this will empower you and make it easier for you to become a top swimmer yourself. By being friends with elite swimmers, you will adapt their mindset and work ethic which will help you on your own journey.

Always be willing to go the extra mile. You get what you put in and if you put in more work and more effort, you will reap the rewards. This means that you should stay back for more swimming practice, even when class ends. You should be doing extra work outs, always be trying to improve your speeds and actively seeking different ways that you can become better.

You should always set higher standards for yourself and never allow yourself settle. Now, this doesn't mean that you should hold yourself to perfection, since that doesn't exist. However, you should never judge yourself by other people's standards and always strive to become the best that you can possibly be. By increasing your own personal standards, you will achieve more and achieve your goal of becoming elite.

Being able to accept constructive criticism is also crucial for success. Many good swimmers often ignore their coaches and think that they should only rely on themselves. This should be avoided since you need to trust your coach and be able to listen to their criticism about your form, technique or other swimming related issues. The only way that you can improve is by realizing your own faults and weaknesses and correcting them.

Lastly, always support your fellow teammates. Even though swimming is mostly an individual sport, you will be training with other swimmers. You should always cheer on your fellow swimmers and provide support and encouragement to others. This will not only make you a better swimmer but a better human being.

In closing, we have just looked at a few tips to help you become an elite swimmer. Once you follow these guidelines, I am certain that you will become the best that you can possibly be.

Sofia Coraines is a contributing writer for Northstar Montessori Private School. For more info about Private Swimming Lessons, Swimming Camps, Competitive Swimming, Swimming Programs, etc... please visit https://www.northstarmontessori.com

School Info:
Northstar Montessori's all season swimming pool is beautifully surrounded in a solarium-type enclosure and a rubber surface decking all around the 18 x 50ft pool. They also feature the the Northstar Aquatics Program and the Aquatic Summer Camp. They offer competitive swim packages. Check them out now!

Related Articles:
Some Advantages Of Private Swimming Lessons
How To Find The Best Swimming Camps For Your Child