Oct 1

With the brilliant weather as a backdrop Poseidon senior athletes did a great job at the TIDE event this past weekend. What a great opportunity for us to view early season progress in a strange environment, 25 meter pool, and no officials to march up and down. We are in great shape and most of our training focus was on display. Keep up the efforts creating "team" and pushing to higher levels each day.

Next up will be our team travel to Prince George Sports and Learning in Landover Maryland. Look for hotel and travel information soon.

No excuses

No explanations

Whatever it takes

Ted

Thoughts on Goal Setting

"Excuse me, Sir", Alice inquires. "Could you tell me which road to take?" Wisely, the caterpillar asks, "Where are you going?" Somewhat dismayed, Alice responds, "Oh, I don't know where I am going, Sir." "Well", replied the caterpillar, "If you don't know where you are going, it really doesn't matter which road you take."

(Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll)

The following will assist your efforts in a continued commitment to excellence and provide a reason for your participation.  

• Set Goals. Make your intentions clear by declaring specific goals that you may use to direct your training efforts.
• Make a commitment. Make a commitment to reach your goals and to do the training necessary to get there. Put your goals down on paper. Writing them down helps to solidify a commitment. A commitment is important. Once you have set a long term goal, you have decided to make the journey. Without this commitment you will question each step along the way. Commit to the training program. Do not allow yourself to make decisions as to your level of attention to each step along the way as each set; each workout and each session is critical to the end result. It does not make much sense to have to decide upon each individual step along a path that you have already committed to.
• Use Your Goals to Direct Your Training. You must ask yourself "what must I do to reach my goals." You should realize that you teammates are important variables in the equation that will determine your successes or failures. Training goals are important to the eventual outcome your stated goals and the overall performance of the team. Of course you should keep your goals flexible. They should be a standard against which you train. Readjust your goals as your practice performance improves.
• Act Consistently with Your Goals. Check and recheck your practice behavior. Is your behavior reflective of your goals?
• Protect Your Goals. Encourage your teammates. Pay attention to a job well done in practice. Encourage each member of the group as you encourage them to strive for more. The way you act and communicate with your teammates has a way of coming back to you. Set a norm and challenge each of your teammates to rise to the highest possible level of performance. Do not let it be "cool" to goof off or perform in a lethargic fashion. Remember your goals and take good care of them.
• Do Not Limit Yourself. Human potential is limitless. It is thinking that we have reached the limits that limit what we do. Believing more is possible opens the doors to unexpected excellence. This type of attitude will direct your activities in much more desirable and productive direction.

COMPLACENCY ONLY PRODUCES MEDIOCRITY - IT IS IMPORTANT TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF YOUR GOALS A LITTLE HIGHER EACH TIME YOU WORK OUT.