Winning

Had a coaches meeting tonight and there was a comment made about winning and how we need to win an upcoming meet. "need" to win a meet.....how about we want to win the meet. I really dislike it when parents and coaches put so much emphasis on winning. Is winning fun? Yes! It is fun and of course it feels awesome. But shouldn't the focus of a sport be on the improvement you are making as an individual or a team? Shouldn't there be a focus on the fun you have while participating in the sport? I think so. When you realize the gains you have made, it sets you up for the positive mind frame to succeed. The success might even lead to winning, which to me would be an added bonus to the improvements. I am also a firm believer that when you are having fun, it will lead you to do amazing things. If it is not fun, then do something that makes you happy, life is too short to participate in a sport you dislike. Back to the winning (first of all I giggle everytime I say winning bc I think of Charlie Sheen...hahaha). I dislike the focus on winning because parents don't realize the stress it puts on their children when they don't win. I feel sorry for kids who don't get any praise when completing a race. Instead, they get....if you would have done this you would have won......poor kid. Their self esteem is shattered a little more each time a negatvie comment is made. We have bad swims and good swims and there is always something to praise after each race. Thank you to my mom and dad who always made me feel better when I swam bad and celebrated with me when I swam fantastic. I hope that Peder and I can be like that when our kids find an activity to participate it! And to all the parents and coaches that push and push to win, please back off and try and put yourself in your kids shoes.