How to Motivate Yourself Before a Big Swim Meet

Competition is the time to reap the rewards of your hard work.  The hours, early mornings and long afternoons bear fruit when it comes time to race.  Your goals have been set, because without goals you have no direction.  But races are short, most are less than two minutes, and sessions are long and sprawling.  Staying motivated and being motivated are a huge factor in your success or failure. The week prior to competition, set aside 10 to 20 minutes each day to visualize your race.  Find a quiet spot, lie on your back, close your eyes and imagine all the steps you will be going through the moment you step to the block.  Visualize success, athletic competition is not all physical.  Being mentally prepared can make a lesser talented athlete smash a more talented one who isn’t mentally prepared. Visit your goals, don’t let them consume you, but remind yourself what they are.  Make this a separate exercise from visualization. Listen to music that gets your heart thumping; watch a race that inspires you on YouTube.  Get excited!  This is what you have been waiting for.  Don’t dread the opportunity to show off your hard work, relish in it. now get out there and race fast!