The Chutes and Ladders of Life

I have learned many, many things already this school year.
I have struggled with lots of self-doubt and negativity in my swimming career for the past couple years, but I am finally regaining some of my confidence back, or well because I have, I am doing better and actually accomplishing my goals.  I don't remember the last time that I dropped more than one second in my 200 freestyle, and today I dropped six seconds! It's unbelievable.  And the only way I could ever accomplish the things I have been accomplishing is because I have totally changed my mental attitude and really focused on what I can do.
There is so much that I am not in control of.  I can't control if I will win or not, or how the girl next to me is swimming.  The one thing that I always know I can control is what I am thinking and doing.  (This is from Craig Manning's book, The Fearless Mind).  If I am thinking something, it will show in my actions.  If I tell myself that I am going to suck in a race or at practice, then I do suck.  But every single time that a thought of doubt flies into my mind, I immediately tell myself: "No, I can do this.  I can do this."  It works.  Not many people know it, but everybody has SO much potential, they just don't realize it.  We put limits on ourselves and say that we could never do something that great, or we are not as good as that person.  We become what we think.  We must never put a limit on what we allow ourselves to do.  I know that if everybody focused on the possibilities and what they really desired, anything can happen.  In swimming, I have pushed myself in practice so hard that I honestly don't believe that I am actually swimming as well as I am.  The only way I swim is by constantly telling myself positive things.  Once negative thoughts take over your brain, your progress is impeded.
Don't be afraid to do something, just try to accomplish your goals.  If you automatically have a positive attitude towards something, than you will accomplish whatever you want.
I didn't do awesome in one of my events today, but the race was "good" or "decent."  And my coach told me that not every race can be awesome.  I told him that I always wanted to be awesome.
It's not likely you will always accomplish your goals.  But we should still feel good about making the effort to accomplishing them.
The feeling is euphoric, when you have mastered your weaknesses and have succeeded in your goals.  So, don't ever give up.  Do better than giving up.  Don't even come close to giving up.  Drive beyond that marker line of "Average" and attempt to be awesome, and you will be awesome.