The Question Behind the Question

I sincerely hope everyone had a good weekend! Looking forward to starting the Fall/Winter Competition season I was re-reading a book called “The Question Behind the Question” The book focuses on personal accountability and can be immediately and specifically applied to whatever we do!As a Head Coach I am always trying to develop and learn new ways to help empower young swimmers to set and reach their goals. There are some key points that speak directly to where we are as a Team Right Now.

Problems are in the Past! Solutions are NOW!

The barriers that have kept me from achieving are not relevant to my current commitment and the future possibility of achieving my goals. The question should be HOW can I do better next time to make sure I can achieve my goal?

Personal Accountability has 3 Guidelines:

  1. The Question always begins with “What” or “How”

What and How indicate opportunities to ask What can I do, How can I achieve, How can I help, What does my teammate need. The questions should not contain When, Why, or Who. When indicates procrastination, Why indicates a victim mentality, and Who indicates assignment of blame.

  1. The Question contains “I”

By making sure these statements contain I we focus on what we can do as individuals to make the situation better for everyone! If one person says ”How can I get better in the 200Fly?” and one of the answers may be, “I need to get to practice everyday on time, and work my turns” One person making the commitment to focus will lead to a great example for others to follow!

  1. The Question focuses on IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Without immediate and decisive action any goal I set is useless! I will take it one step further and say that this action needs to be consistent and immediate. In swimming I cannot work hard the week before the meet and expect to make Nationals it will take years of hard work and disciplined change to make that goal happen!

Learning is Change not Attendance

This relates to the three immutable truths of improvement at BSC: Come to Practice, Work Hard, and Do things Properly. Those who come 60% of the time and expect a 100% result do not understand this concept. Just being at every practice is not enough I must be at every practice working as hard as I can to do everything properly all the time. Technique, Speed, and Fitness only happen when I take charge and change they way I do things at every practice—coaches don't make me---I have to choose to change every lap every practice every day.

A Call to Action:

I as a coach have to figure out every day what it is that I am sold out for! For me it is helping every swimmer at BSC reach the highest level they can no matter what their ability level! Everything that I do as a coach revolves around this goal! What is your goal and How far are you willing to go to get there. Here are some good questions to ask during the goal setting process.

  1. What is the single most important idea/goal to me that I Will Apply Myself To?

  2. How will I execute that Idea?

  3. What Rewards will come when I Take this action?

  4. Will I do It NOW (Circle Yes or No)

Take time to think about How you can achieve your goals and What you are willing to do to get there!!!

RACE LIKE A CHAMPION AT SECTIONALS, JUNIOR OLYMPICS and NATIONALS!!