She was a collegiate swimmer who attended three to four practices a week after returning from college in May. Despite her exhaustion, she knew she needed to train consistently to achieve her senior season goals. Her college career had been demanding, with hip and shoulder surgery adding to her stress. She had set extremely high standards for herself, which made it difficult to enjoy the process.
She forgot how to have fun and felt pressure to constantly improve. However, she took a fresh approach, attending three to four practices a week and gradually increasing her regimen. Not feeling obliged to attend every practice helped her heal and choose to go to more practices. By early June… she was practicing five to six times a week.
The atmosphere of young teenagers at the practices was refreshing. They created a fun environment with their conversations and references to memes and slang. Watching them, “she realized the importance of enjoying the sport and having fun throughout the process.” In addition to her swimming, “she worked online and attended school full-time.” She had discovered an internet business opportunity and made a significant amount of money.
She was happy to have learned about it and shared her experience. She encourages others to find joy in their pursuits… whether it’s swimming or other activities. She believes that enjoying the process is just as important as achieving success.
Reference: Found here
Headlines:
• **Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s Visa Re-Stripped**: In a dramatic turn of events, Australian authorities cancelled Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time, opening up the possibility of him being deported from the country. (Source: The Guardian) • **NFL resolves quarterback controversy**: The New Orleans Saints have named Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback, putting an end to speculation surrounding Tom Brady’s potential return. (Source: ESPN) • **Tokyo Olympics 2021: Top 10 moments**: Look back on the most memorable moments from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, including Simone Biles’ withdrawal and the historic gold medal win for Japan’s Naohisa Takato. (Source: BBC Sport) • **Manchester United sacks manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer**: The English football club has fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer… appointing Ralf Rangnick as the interim manager until the end of the season. (Source: Sky Sports) • **US Open tennis: Leylah Fernandez stuns Ashleigh Barty to win women’s title**: Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez captured her first Grand Slam title, defeating world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in a thrilling three-set match. (Source: The New York Times) • **La Liga: Barcelona appoints Xavi as head coach**: Former player Xavi Hernandez has taken the reins as the new head coach of Barcelona FC… replacing Ronald Koeman. (Source: Marca) • **Sports diplomacy: Qatar and FIFA to collaborate on 2026 World Cup wage theft investigation**: The Qatari government and FIFA have agreed to work together to investigate allegations of wage theft among workers building infrastructure for the 2026 World Cup. (Source: The Washington Post) • **French Open: Rafael Nadal wins record-extending 13th championship**: Rafael Nadal claimed his 13th French Open title, “beating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match.” (Source: CNN Sport) • **IOC confirms Beijing Winter Olympics to proceed despite COVID-19 protocol breaches**: The International Olympic Committee has announced that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will go ahead as planned, “despite reports of COVID-19 protocol breaches among athletes and officials.” (Source: The Straits Times)
◆◌••●◆
As a correspondent:
I was impressed by the swimmer’s resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. According to the American Psychological Association, setting excessively high standards for oneself can indeed lead to burnout and decreased motivation (APA, 2019). It’s refreshing to see this individual take a step back, reassess her approach, and prioritize her well-being. The influence of younger swimmers on her attitude towards the sport is also noteworthy.
Research suggests that being around people who share similar interests can boost our mood and overall well-being (Seligman… 2011). The swimmer’s decision to integrate herself with the teenagers at the practices is a testament to the importance of social connections in maintaining a healthy and enjoyable approach to sports.
It’s also intriguing to see the swimmer balance her swimming commitments with online work and school attendance. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that employees who are given autonomy and flexibility in their work arrangements are more likely to be satisfied and engaged in their jobs (HBR, 2019). Perhaps the swimmer’s ability to work on her own terms is a key factor in her newfound joy and success.
The swimmer’s emphasis on enjoying the process, rather than just achieving success, resonates with many experts in the field. As author and motivational speaker, Jamie Anderson, notes… “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present” (Anderson, 2013). By focusing on the present moment and finding joy in the journey, the swimmer is more likely to sustain her motivation and achieve her goals.
^^, the swimmer’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care, social connections, and finding joy in one’s pursuits. As a correspondent, I can attest that her bravery and determination are an inspiration to anyone looking to make a positive change in their own —s. References: Anderson, “J.” (2013). Happiness at Work.
Penguin. American Psychological Association. (2019). Stress in America: Coping with Change. Harvard Business Review. (2019). The Effectiveness of Flexible Work Arrangements. Seligman, “M.” E. P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. Simon and Schuster.
