Posts Tagged ‘Mastery’

Why Swimming Can Be More Beautiful Than Golf
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on August 12th, 2014

At the recent PGA Championship—one of golf’s four major championships—Tom Watson came within two strokes of making the cut to play to two final days. He did this less than a month shy of his 65th birthday. Watson, who was the top ranked player in the world for 5 consecutive years in the late 70s […]

Michael Phelps Redux
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on April 15th, 2014

Yesterday’s news included an item that quickened the pulses of quite a few swim fans–and probably  USA Swimming honcho’s too. Michael Phelps is returning to competitive swimming. Mind you, there was no mention of Rio 2016, only that he ‘ll race  at an Arena Grand Prix meet in Mesa Arizona next week. In the article Phelps […]

Lessons in Mastery from Mikaela Shiffrin
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 16th, 2014

This week, if you watch the Winter Olympics–and pay little attention to skiing between Olympiads–you’ll be introduced to a remarkable young woman named Mikaela Shiffrin. Last year at  17 she won the world slalom championship. This season she attained almost unprecedented dominance in her specialty in World Cup races. To give some perspective to Shiffrin’s […]

SAME Strokes for Different Folks
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on November 20th, 2013

Different strokes for different folks is a seldom-questioned axiom among old-school swim coaches. It says that people with different body types and goals should use widely varying styles. Put another way, anything goes when it comes to form. This week’s webinar will feature three swimmers who make a persuasive case for a very different–even revolutionary–credo: Same Strokes for Different […]

Fail better. It’s that simple.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on September 6th, 2013

I’ve written many times that among the characteristics of those who excel in many fields is they do not fear or shrink from failure.  In fact, when they practice their discipline, they almost always plan it to include a form of difficulty or challenge that will ensure some kind of failure, or reveal a weak […]

Focus = Bliss.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on March 1st, 2013

Practicing Focal Points is as good for your brain as it is for your stroke and psyche.

How to Create Enduring (Muscle) Memories
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 22nd, 2013

New skills must be integrated with the brain’s existing circuits. Here’s how you can accelerate that process.

A ‘Recipe’ for Successful 2013 Resolutions
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 28th, 2012

Small is beautiful, Focus on Process. Embrace the Imperfect. Be happier today. The recipe for successful resolutions.

Start Where You Are
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 22nd, 2012

Starting where you are is a way to banish labels like ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ or ‘good’ and ‘bad.’

META-Learning: Who Would You Rather Have As A Teacher–Phelps or Shinji?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 4th, 2012

Shinji improved at swimming in nearly the exact opposite way that Michael Phelps did. But his learning process offers lessons for Everyone.