"Goals should never be easy. They should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable."
Small Steps Every Single Day
When Michael said he wanted to win 8 gold medals, everyone in the swimming world thought he was insane.
He knew it wasnt going to happen overnight.
He knew that every small step was a stepping stone to get him to go where he wanted to go.
Michael Phelps didn't just rewrite the record books - he penned an entirely new chapter in athletic greatness.
With 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, Phelps lapped the ocean of human achievement not once, but multiple times.
Phelps' had scientists scrambling to explain how one human could so thoroughly dominate a sport.
It seemed he operated by different physical laws.
A big part of Michael's success was his ability to maintain consistency and predictable performance even in abnormal and unpredictable circumstances.
Think about that.
Maintain consistency in unpredictable circumstances.
How do you do that?
His coach and mentor, Bob Bowman, trained him not only to swim physically but also to mentally visualize the process.
Visualization, Planning, and Deliberate Training
Visualization is the practice of mentally rehearsing a series of events or outcomes you aim to achieve in real life.
Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps' coach, trained him not only to swim physically but also to mentally visualize the process.
At the young age of 12 Bob prepared Michael to visualize both positive and negative scenarios.
Michael mentally created a "video library" of every possible scenario that could occur during a tournament.
Bob referred to these mental simulations as "videotapes," which included imagined incidents such as "What if my suit rips?"
Visualizing and preparing for potential challenges enabled Michael to remain calm and focused.
He had a mental blueprint for every possibility, whether positive or negative.
To begin with, you need to learn how to relax your body and achieve a calm state of mind.
Bob advised the same thing to Michael.
The criteria for mastering visualization are:
- It should be vivid and realistic.
- You should rehearse every possibility many times.
- Experience it as if it is happening to you in the present moment.
Michael had mentally rehearsed and "swum" the tournament countless times before the actual event.
While many are familiar with physical routines, Bowman also emphasized the importance of mental routines for Michael.
He asked Michael to play these "videotapes" at night before sleeping.
These mental simulations included clips of every possible scenario during the race.
Phelps visualized every moment, from his starting position on the blocks, through each stroke, until he emerged victorious from the pool, water dripping from his face.
The key to effective visualization is repetition.
You have to practice it daily, not just occasionally.
The goal is to ingrain every visualized scene into your subconscious mind, allowing it to take control during the actual event.
Remember, performance tends to be smoother when it is controlled by the subconscious mind, which has been trained through visualization.
You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits
Finally, it is crucial to master the process of setting clear and specific goals.
Effective visualization requires clear and specific goals.
You cannot effectively visualize something without a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.
Bob Bowman gave a full talk on the Characteristics of Champions. You can watch the full talk here:
Michaels' Coach On The Characteristics Of Champions
Characteristics of Champion
- Having a clear, well-defined plan is essential for achieving success.
- Champions embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, recognizing that failures are an integral part of the journey to becoming a champion.
- Champions are able to maintain consistent and predictable performance even in abnormal and unpredictable circumstances.
- Champions consistently rehearse and visualize success on a daily basis, both physically, mentally, and emotionally.
- Champions value the process of success more than any particular outcome because the process is within their control, while outcomes depend on factors beyond their influence. They focus on executing the next step or play rather than being preoccupied with the current score or result.
- Champions have a dream or vision, which is critical because it serves as the starting point for their journey.
- A dream or vision ignites the creative process, inspiring champions to explore new possibilities and strategies.
- No one can become the best if they don't make the right decisions on a daily basis.
- While having a dream is important, it is equally crucial to have a plan, which often involves the guidance of a coach. This plan should be intense and begin by working backward from the desired goals.
- There are two types of goals: a) long-term goals and b) short-term or immediate goals.
- Short-term goals involve planning and executing daily actions that put your plans into motion and bring you closer to your long-term objectives.
- If you have a keen ability for setting goals and can translate them into specific daily training routines, you can better predict and achieve your desired performance levels.
- Engage in deliberate practice by identifying and working on mistakes, both during final performances and daily practice sessions.
- Strive to learn how to deliver your best possible performance even in the worst possible conditions.
- Daily visualization and building confidence through mental rehearsal are key components of a champion's skillset and abilities.
- More valuable than anything else is having a clear vision of where you want to go, setting up a plan for how to get there, and rehearsing that success on a daily basis, as this is what truly makes a champion
So Now What?
The story of Michael Phelps' success serves as a powerful illustration of the principles that separate champions from the rest.
By combining unwavering dedication, meticulous planning, deliberate practice, and a relentless pursuit of self-improvement, Phelps redefined the boundaries of human potential.
Whether your goals lie in the realm of personal growth, professional advancement, or athletic endeavors, you can apply these strategies to turn your dreams into reality.
By embracing the principles that fueled Phelps' extraordinary journey, you too can unlock your full potential and achieve greatness in your chosen pursuits.