The One Extra Degree Makes All The Difference

At 211°, water is hot. At 212°, it boils. That one extra degree makes all the difference. Are you content with just being pretty good? Or are you ready to go the extra degree?

How Bad Do You Want It?

The Swimming Edition

"Life's only limitations are those you set upon yourself, for as long as you strive hard enough anything is achievable". - Chad Williams

Most of your limitations are based on your beliefs about your incapability, of your lack of progress and of what you've heard or seen. When you start focusing on your conditions of lack instead of possibilities, you are telling yourself that you are not going to succeed in your attempts.

If you want to challenge your mental restrictions, you must make a firm decision to win. Even individuals who are physically challenged have proven that they can succeed in whatever they have set out to do.

If you are physically complete and yet are unable to achieve anything worthwhile, you may have to seriously check the way you have been thinking and notice what you have been doing. Unless you have done all that you can and as long as you can, any excuse that you are at a disadvantage is unacceptable.

How do you overcome your limitations?

Change your beliefs.

Ask yourself if it is true that you are limited and what exactly are your stipulations? Drill down inside you to find out why you think that you are not qualified? Keep asking until you find the answers. The reason behind the questioning it is to challenge your limiting beliefs and override them with empowering ones.

Recognize them.

It's useful to know what they are so that you will now what to do. Once you recognize your drawbacks, make a decision to do something about them or ignore those that are not a real hindrance. If you lack the knowledge or skill, you can acquire and hone them or get expert advice.

Become passionate about your goals.

When you are obsessed with your goals, you become courageous and will challenge the limitations that are holding you back. You will dare take more risks and become unafraid of making mistakes. Set them high and know exactly why you want them. Your reasons will inspire and motivate you to go through obstructions along the way.

Directing your focus.

Focus of attention is important in determining where you are heading. If you focus on lack, you will attract more of them. When you focus your mind on the end result, you can't help but move towards it. Plan your path and move ahead.

Set a higher standard.

You need to set a higher standard for yourself. You should have a determination to get over your old patterns of limited thinking and mediocre accomplishments. You don't have to repeat the past and stay the same.

Expect the best.

Have great expectations. It means having an optimistic view about life and your capabilities. When you have a positive outlook and expect good things to happen, they will.

I don’t need easy, I just need possible

Can I do that? Yes, if you dare to DREAM & BELIEVE than PLAN!

I really want to drop five seconds in my 400 and ten seconds in my 800 freestyle. Do you think that is possible?

Absolutely! If you believe it is possible, it is. If you believe it is not possible, it likely isn’t. It is amazing how much our beliefs can alter how our body physically is able to respond.

Often, when I work with clients, in whatever their endeavor, the most common issue is not dreaming big enough, or not believing a lofty idea or dream is really possible. Assuming a person is open to seeing what is possible, it also helps to create a thorough plan (that is reviewed on occasion for adjustments) of what you want to do over the time frame you are looking at.

This summer, we have been blessed to watch the youngest Olympian, Katie Ledecky (age 15) swim the 800 meter freestyle. In two years she has gone “from 8:58.86 in 2010 to 8:19.78 at the 2012 trials…that’s a 39 second drop!!!” per Chris Morgan’s article: http://swimswam.com/2012/07/oh-ye-of-little-faith/

A year ago, she didn’t even have the Olympic trial cut in the 800! Now, she is close to the world record! And I believe that she can continue to drop and potentially get that record here in London!

During my years swimming internationally for Team USA, I roomed a few times with friend, Olympian, and 800 freestyle world record holder, Janet Evans. In 1988, she was one of the few to win against the East Germans.

In my interview with National Team Swimmer, Julie Cooper, Julie shared rooming with Janet in 1989 and how Janet thought before breaking the 800 free world record. http://swimswam.com/2012/07/stories-of-us-national-team-members-and-interview-with-julie-cooper/

From my perspective, a champion creates an amazing life for him/herself. Our minds decide what we want to do and focus on being open to the possibilities (i.e. not just going a certain time, but maybe even faster than what we dared to dream possible).

As the Olympics inspire many people, may Katie and Kate Ziegler (the two American 800 female freestylers) be inspired to bring out their true best as they race in the 800 meter freestyle.

And, may you know that it is okay to dream big, create a plan, and stay committed to the dream.

Copied from swimswam.com

A little bit about the author:

Katrina Radke appeared to be on top of the world. At 14, she was the youngest member of the U.S. National Swim Team, and later she was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, placing fifth in the 200 meter butterfly at the Seoul Olympic Games. She won four gold medals internationally, held American records, U.S Open records, Australian Open records, and Italian Open records. She served as co-captain of the United States National Swimming Team and held Top 10 World Rankings for seven straight years.

But what nobody knew was that she had been battling immune system issues since the age of 15, ultimately finding herself essentially bedridden, relegated to using handicapped parking, while in her final year of college at Cal Berkeley. After years of mystery, she was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), a debilitating chronic illness. Once she was able to put a name and face to her disability, she called upon her athlete s determination to fight her way back, ultimately even to swim again at the Olympic Trials. In Be Your Best Without the Stress, Katrina uses her inspirational story to guide others through the minefield of health and wellness issues.

From farm town girl to Olympic Swimmer, to bedridden and beyond, therapist Katrina Radke uses her inspirational story, professional experiences, and powerful yet simple tools to help you find what drives you to be your best, while feeling deeply satisfied in all areas of your life. This life-changing book helps you awaken to lost aspects of yourself, become more aware of your impact and importance, and commit to decisive actions that will help you live your best life, one designed and fulfilled by you.

Keep SHINING! And if you want to learn more about ways to think BIG and take ACTION, check out my book, Be Your Best Without the Stress.

Katrina Radke is an Olympic Swimmer, and Bestselling Author of Be Your Best Without the Stress, where she shares her own Olympic story, and tools for you to realize your true potential.