What I am learning from swimming.

OK so I have only done it twice so far (swimming) ... but already I have been introduced to the concept of achieving something and then trying to at least the same again or aim for better each time. You always hear swimmers talking about PB's (personal bests) and although this is not a new concept it is not one that I have previously applied to my life.

I have always been competitive, always wanted to get the best or highest score at school, win the game etc BUT I have always seen other people as the competition and have never really thought to myself I will try to do better than my own performance ... instead I try to do better than others. This is fine if the others are better or faster or whatever but it makes sense to do better than yourself if you want to truly progress forward. There are also too many variables involved in competing with others ... some will be easy to beat, some will be impossible to beat ... but improving yourself and using yourself as the benchmark is a good, more consistent way to record and recognize progress.

Hmmmm light bulb moment!!! :-D

I guess if you try to constantly better your own performance in something you enjoy, there is no end .... which is what I have observed with other motivated individuals ... Pat and Jeff with their guitar, Mum with her swimming and knitting, my sister with karate, education, fitness.

I on the other hand try something for a while, reach a point and think OK I have done that now I will try something else. For example learning to play the flute in high school ... doing great then it needs to go in for repairs and I stop. Similar with belly dance ... although I do believe that some things run their course.... and I would have to say that 4 years is the longest I have persevered with anything... so there is a PB for me! :-P

Perhaps a change in attitude and the approach to the activity that I choose, will change the outcome.

I also have realized that everything you do requires time ... (and money). If you don't practise or go over what you have learnt regularly you lose the forward momentum you have gained... not all skills that you learn remains with you for life (with the exception of riding a bike apparently!!!) To practise takes time. If I try to start and do to many things e.g. piano, guitar, dancing all at the same time, I cannot devote myself fully to each.

I was going to say more but I will leave it for another day.