Imagine a scenario in which there are two nearly identical athletes, we’ll call them athlete ‘A’ and athlete ‘B’ (I’m very creative in the naming department).
These athletes could be from any sport, but since I’m in the midst of transitioning a handful of swimmers from their PIAA dual meet season into the championship season, we’ll choose swimmers for our head-to-head athlete comparison.
Athlete A and B both get similar levels of sleep. Both have a similar nutritional needs and dietary preferences. And are so closely matched that they have identical reaction times.
They are about the same age and under the same stress load (at least initially).
The most modern wearable tech counts their heart rates as equal during practice. A and B even have a similar capacity for adaptation and the same genetic predisposition to the sport, complete with the same arm lengths for the same catch in the water.
But Athlete ‘A’ is self-assured behind the block and faces the challenges of practice, training, and competition with poise and quiet confidence.
Whereas Athlete ‘B’ is quick to doubt his abilities and undermines the goals of his teammates and coaches. He complains when practice runs long or when an additional set is written on the board at the end of a workout.
How could it be that these two athletes with such different mindsets can have all of the same anatomical and physiological make up?
Because they are the same person.
Athlete A and Athlete B are the two versions of yourself which confront you at each moment as you face a sea of opportunities for growth and development.
Are you choosing the path which holds you to the highest ideal? Not just once–but on a continuing basis as you are confronted with a new day, with new opportunities, and with the on-going certainty that you can always start anew.
Right now, an awareness of the present moment, and its endless possibilities for self-improvement are the only advantage that you can have over your greatest opponent–yourself.