How To Visualize The Perfect Swim

The brain has this unique ability to chase after and fulfill what is occupied with in its mind. Don’t believe me? Have you ever stumbled upon something that you wanted like a car that has been out for three years, but this is the first time you are seeing it? I am sure you had the experience that once you noticed the car and desired, all of the sudden you see everyone has that car.

Before your brain was not conditioned to see the car until you told your brain that it was important by desiring the car. It is for this reason, if we visualize our swims, then our brain will want to find solutions and naturally begin telling your body to find swim perfectly.

Of course visualization will not replace the hard work in the pool, but can be a great tool to your overall success in swimming.

The Art of Visualizing

Visualization like goal setting, it is a skill that takes practice and refinement. At first, it might be difficult to keep your concentration, or it might be hard to fully visualize the experience. With practice you will be able to have visualizations that will lead to your success. Here is how to visualize the perfect swim:

Set a Desired Outcome

A map is only good when you know the destination, otherwise, you are just looking at a bunch of streets and land. Visualizing your perfect swim is the same way.

A visualization is only good when you know the destination. What is your outcome you are looking to achieve? Is it the perfect start? Looking to beat your best times? Make it for a time trial? or Win the competition?

Whatever it is, be sure to have an outcome so you know where you are swimming to and what will be needed.

Use All of Your Senses

Your senses have a powerful ability to help your brain believe visualizations are real, which will increase your probability of success. The basic touches are sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.

For a swimming event, smell and taste will not likely be used, but you can use all of the other senses. See the audience cheering as you break a record, or beat the competition for first place. Feel the touch of the water glide across your body as you swim the most efficient swim you have ever swam. Hear the audience and your teammates cheering you on to first place.

The more sense you can incorporate into your visualization the stronger your visualization will be and the easier it will be to keep your focus.

Shine, Don’t Watch Yourself Shine

When you visualize, imagine yourself doing the event, and not watching yourself do the event. If you see yourself doing it, then it will be more likely for you to achieve the goal.

If you think of yourself as an audience member watching you swim your best time, then it will be more abstract and make your brain thing that it is only a dream and is not really possible.

This will take a lot of focus and imagination to visualize the sight that you would see if you were the one swimming, so it is okay if you are unable to do it at first.

Think Positive

Your mind will tend to think of the setbacks and will gravitate towards fear. You will imagine all of the things that could go wrong.

It is important to visualize setbacks you may have and overcome them, but try to keep it mostly positive. Dont imagine one bad flip turn or any other mistake you could make because then you will make it. Be sure that you achieve your goal at the end of your visualization.

Every step

Visualize every step of the way, so that there is no room for error. If you tell your brain how it is to behave every step of the way it will automatically perform in the way that supports your visualization. Do not leave it up to your brain to guess the next move to make.

Focused

Lastly, and probably the most difficult, stay focused. While you are visualizing your brain will try to wander about what you are going to eat, or do later, or how your day was.

Try to remain focused on the perfect swim. If you find yourself wandering off, just restart and try again. If you are unable to regain focus, then stop and take a break from visualizing the perfect swim. This will take time and practice to be able to keep and control your focus, but it is a skill that is well worth it.

Visualization is not a replacement for hard work in the pool, but can certainly increase your results from the effort you put in at the pool. Visualization is a skill and to get better at it you must practice. Eventually you will be able to imagine the perfect swim right before an event with the crowd shouting. You will find yourself achieving your goals and having more success.

Kamil Market Development Expert at Swimmo

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