5 Surprising Life Lessons on Overcoming Fears and Reaching Your Goals from Young Swimmers

What if the essential life skills we need didn’t come from experts? As I witnessed my son’s swim meet, I realized that valuable life lessons on facing fears and reaching for your goals can come from the most unexpected places. Join me as I share my reflections.

Behind the Blocks

I checked in at the volunteer desk, put on my timer tag, and walked to my chair behind the pool’s starting blocks. The floor and chairs were wet from all the kids warming up. I took in the quiet, knowing how busy it would soon get.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, and I could feel the early morning chill of the Bay Area on my face. Despite all the layers, my fingers and toes begged to be someplace warmer.

From where I sat, I had the entire view of the pool. I could see the officials, the coaches in their tents, and the parents waiting at the end of each line for their swimmers to race.

As the kids arrived, they began to take off their parkas and wait for their turn in their swimsuits. The cold weather made their bodies shiver. One by one, they stepped onto the starting blocks. ‘Take your marks,’ said the starter. The buzzer beeped, and they jumped into the pool.

Practicing 5 Key Life Lessons

As I waited to time each swimmer, I realized that these young athletes were not just learning how to swim better and faster. They also practice complex life skills and subconsciously teach them to the adults around them.

1. Facing Fears

The swimmers behind the blocks face the unknown, whether beginner or seasonal. Will I do better than last time? How much time will I drop? Despite all the nervous chatter in their heads, each one shows up to the block and faces their fears. They reach for their goals and do their best each time.

2. Perseverance

Things don’t always go as expected for these athletes. One little girl’s goggles came off when she jumped into the pool. She carried on without them throughout. Another boy accidentally swam the wrong stroke. No matter the issue, these kids swim unfazed, climb out of the pool strong, and are ready for the next event.

3. Support One Another

It’s hard to miss the loud cheers of kids supporting one another at a swim meet. ‘Will you cheer for me while I swim’? I heard a young boy ask a slightly older girl beside him. Yes, she said. As soon as he jumped in, the noise behind me was deafening. Go! Go! Go! The girl cheered the whole time he swam his race.

Was it this simple, I wondered? Is it just a matter of asking someone if you will support me? Kids in the pool show how we can help one another despite competition. It didn’t matter if their friends were faster than them. They genuinely want them to succeed and have great times.

4. Dealing With Setbacks

Setbacks affect each of us differently. I watched a young girl confront another who just finished her race. What happened? Why did you go so slow? She simply shrugged with a smile to say I have no idea what happened.

In another race, a boy climbs out of the pool and asks us how he did. His eyes widen as he finds out the time. Tears start trickling down his face. I added time, he said, struggling to find his breath. As I comforted him, he gathered himself and walked away. Not long after, I see him ready to race again.

The kids show us how, despite being disappointed, they bounce back, ready for the next thing.

5. Willing to Learn and Adapt

Feedback is critical for growth. After each event, the kids go to their coaches for feedback. They listen to what went well and what didn’t and return ready to incorporate the feedback into their next event. Their sport is already preparing them for adult life, where you need to keep an open mind, listen, and adapt where necessary to grow. 

Learning from Unexpected Sources

Watching these young athletes, I realized that life lessons don’t have to come from experts. Sometimes, they come from young ones, wearing swimsuits and shivering in cold weather. They show us how to persevere, reach our goals despite our fears, and support others despite their own will to succeed.