The alarm goes off in the morning and you wake up in the middle of a dream, all dizzy and disoriented. Sounds familiar? Or maybe you’re the type of person who jumps out of bed at the first ray of sunlight, then cycles – or even runs – to work.

Either way, an active (or sedentary) lifestyle and business have something in common. How can your sport and physical activity help you perform better at work?

I recently learnt this in the swimming pool, or rather after a one-day ‘Swim Experience’ workshop with former World Champion Marco Koch, former German National Champion Dominik Franke, and their Swim Performance team.

Here are my three key learnings from the demanding but fun day:

1. Analysis is the key to improvement

Two teammates high five. team, encouragement, teamwork, motivation
Out with old and in with the new swimming techniques. ©Swim Performance & Maike Wellmann

Jumping right in at the deep end, we started off with a video analysis of our existing techniques, guided by Dominik, Marco, and their team. During a round of helpful tips, exercises on land and in water, and many laps of swimming, we made changes and adjustments, witnessing immediate progress.

Embracing constructive criticism, accepting that nobody’s perfect (except maybe Marco, who was a tiny bit faster than the rest of us), and choosing to get better helped me not only with improving my swim technique, it also translated to my work as an intern with the adidas Company Sports team.

Engage in an honest and open conversation with your colleagues and mentors.

2. First-hand experience is the best teacher

A woman smiles happily in a swimming pool. swim, swimming, swimmer, happy, smiling, achievement, accomplishment
Experience is the best teacher – in the pool and on land. ©Swim Performance & Maike Wellmann

Hands-on experience lets you fail and learn on the spot, analyze your mistakes, and feel how you’re getting better – fast.

Interactions and knowledge exchange with coaches, athletes, or work colleagues are valuable tools on your learning journey. Seeing Marco and Dominik shine in their sport was a great incentive for us to improve as swimmers, to train harder, to get better and better.

True learning comes from doing. As we put the expert tips into practice, even when it felt wrong at first because it was different from what we were used to, we soon recognized we’re making big progress.

So, go out and explore something new. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. The sooner you make them, the faster you learn.

3. Consider teaming to get great results

A group of workmates stand together after a successful day of swimming. swimming, teamwork, success, motivation, achievement
We need other people to make something positive happen, and to learn. ©Swim Performance & Maike Wellmann

Have you heard about teaming? It means teamwork on the fly; working with different teams, individuals, and departments to expand and exchange knowledge and expertise.

The social cognitive theory summarizes how we learn, and it’s simple: just imitate the behaviors of others. At ‘Swim Experience’, we performed partner exercises where we observed and corrected each other’s form. What’s more, we took notes from the professional swimmers as they performed movements the correct way.

Sure, I’ll never reach the cool and playful ease of Marco Koch as he swam 20 times against the rest of us – without a break! But that’s not the goal. We need other people’s support to improve ourselves, to uncover our full potential – in business and in life.

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by best essay writing service 02.08.2018
That' a huge chance and I also think that is not the previous call! To boost your chance of successful participation in such competition you be supposed to try this service Custom essay writing service here you can find a real facilitate in writing your essay. Try and you will marvel when you get a list that profitably confirm that you are champion! visit here : https://waltessays.com
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by Pete Greenhough 09.08.2018
Basic stuff but still as relevant today as 30 years ago, we are all students even if revision is required.
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