“There IS a difference between trying and making that decision.”-Tyler McGill, 2012 Olympian USA Swim Team

Tyler McGill post finals for 100 Fly Olympic Team, finishing 2nd to Michael Phelps.

Tyler, “Just that I came here for a purpose and it didn’t matter who was next to me (regarding Michael Phelps being in the lane next to him) or where I was in the race, the goal was to go to London….I had to make the decision this morning to be an Olympian to go to London and let my body take over…”

In Tyler’s NBC’s post race clip the interviewer asked “You know you were that confident going in?” Tyler stated,”My coach and I made a decision this morning that I was going to London, that was my thought process all day.”

“Making the decision” is like your target, your bullseye. Tyler’s target of getting on the Olympic team was backed up by commitment, belief, and steadfast assurance, as well as many hours or practice.

“Making the decision” and having that target allows us to know exactly where all of our energies, thoughts, actions, feelings, and behaviors need to be directed toward- the bulls eye. Each arrow (thought, feeling, behavior, choice, etc.) we “throw” at the target done so with the goal of hitting the bullseye i.e. making it to London in Tyler’s case. “Making the decision” and keeping that in focus indirectly shuts out un-needed distractions and unhealthy thinking or behaving patterns which facilitates success towards your target.

However, I often see athletes have a target but the arrows they are throwing towards their target are aimed in the opposite direction. For example, having a faster run split or getting strong on the bike, those are realistic targets/goals. However, their “arrows” or behaviors are as such, not eating properly, not doing speed work or running drills, not doing intervals on the bike, and so on.

So take a moment to reflect,  what is your target today? next race? next workout? Are your actions, decisions, choices, thoughts, and behaviors ALL aiming towards that target or do you need to re-evaluate if you have really made the decision?

If so, keep “Making the decision”, keep it set in your mind, your focus, and in doing so your body WILL know what to do.

Keep reaching for your peak and shine one my friends!