The Problem with Excuses

Photo Courtesy: Madison Carroll

By Julia Cunningham, Swimming World College Intern

“You can have results or you can have your excuses. You cannot have both.” -Unknown

There is a reason why excuses are not part of a mindset of success. Excuses create the easy way out. They exist as both a shortcut to an unsatisfactory conclusion and a barrier to success. Why make excuses when there are much more constructive uses of your time?

There are so many factors when it comes to racing. What if the lanes are more narrow than you’re used to? What if the air on deck is a little too thick? Are those really the factors that put that time on the scoreboard? There was that one day in practice where you slacked just a little, was that why you were out-touched? Being able to revisit each race with a critical eye means you can get back in the pool the next time with more confidence. It means you’ve given yourself a solid goal that you can work towards. It means you can look up at the scoreboard and know that the time there is 100 percent reflective of the work you’ve put into your sport.

Photo Courtesy: Julia Cunningham

Common Conversation

A= incessant excuse maker

B= coach

A: I just wasn’t feeling the water today. I’ll work harder tomorrow.

B: Stop showing up at 3:28, please. When I say 10 minutes early, I mean 3:20.

A: I change fast, I don’t see a problem. Besides, I need the extra time for homework.

B: How much are you even getting done in those eight minutes?

B: Hey, don’t look upset. You tried your hardest. It looked like you forgot some of the technique we’ve been working on. I have some drills we can try out next week.

A: I can’t believe my goggles snapped the heat before me. I knew I shouldn’t have tried those goggles, they messed up my whole race.

B: Well, as long as you left everything in the pool…

B: Come on! This entire set was about not breathing off your walls! You took three breaths in a row! What’re you doing?

A: I’m still trying to warm up! The water’s freezing! I can barely think about moving, let alone not breathing!

B: There’s a reason we work on these things during practice, so you do them unconsciously during a meet.

A: Just let me warm up. I’ll do the no-breath thing eventually.

A: My shoulder hurts!

B: You can kick on your back in streamline, then.

A: But I don’t want to make my knee flare up again. I should get out and go to the trainer.

B: Okay, but even if they tell you to stay out of the pool I still want you on deck.

A: I have a lot of homework, though. I need to start my essay.

B: Fine. Come in the morning to make up the yards you miss.

B: Where were you this morning?

A: I forgot to set my alarm.

Photo Courtesy: Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

B: Hey that was a good swim!

A: Yeah, it was probably because I slipped off the block so I had to race to catch up.

B: Hey, it’s not like you’ve been able to practice going off the blocks much lately since you’re always in the trainers at the end of practice.

A: Well, my shoulders haven’t been feeling any better…

B: Have you been doing all of the rehab the trainers give you?

A: I haven’t had time. I’ve been busy with this essay.

B: It sucks that you’re going to miss this week! Especially since we only have two weeks until Champs!

A: Yeah, I’ve really gotta finish this essay.

B: Weren’t you assigned it at the beginning of the semester?

A: Yeah, but then I was in the trainers all the time for my shoulder.

B: You feeling ready for this weekend?

A: It’s kind of whatever. My season’s been all over the place so I’m not expecting much.

A: My suit felt wrong! It was rubbing my shoulders weird the whole race!

A: I wasn’t in the middle lane! Everyone’s waves made me choke!

A: Whatever. I’ll do better next year.

The problem with excuses is that after a certain point, there is nothing else to talk about. You can’t control the uncontrollables such as air temperature or chlorine content, so why bother training if the pool is the main problem? Better yet, why bother with excuses?

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Pawan Bagaddeo

8 years ago

Natalie Archer

8 years ago

Brittany Archer

Georgina De la Cruz

8 years ago

David Nunez

Sirkku Henkari Tampio

8 years ago

Yes excuses are the easy way out. However one should take into account that the coach may believe something is an excuse even though it actually wouldn’t be

Joshua Paul Mitchell

8 years ago

truth