Learning to Swim Again

This winter, I'm learning how to swim again. After a childhood full of lessons and success rates with annual swim tests, I must say I'm surprised. When I started swimming again regularly this fall, I was pretty convinced that I knew how to swim well enough, and I thought it completely unnecessary to take lessons--especially since I have no plans to swim competitively. But that was before I adjusted to the skinny lanes allotted to swimmers in Manhattan, and got passed more than I ever thought possible.

Then I realized that I wasn't really seeing any results from swimming. I looked up the calorie burn rate for swimming; and realized that the swimming that I was doing probably fell into the lower "burn" rate even if I felt I was exerting myself. It was time for a correction.

I caught the eye of a swim coach, got a tutorial in new techniques for the breaststroke, watched a couple of YouTube instructional videos--and got back in the pool and tried again. I learned that there have been many improvements to the breaststroke technique over the years, and that it isn't just the magic swimsuits which have contributed to new world records in speed.

It feels good to learn a new way of doing things, and I plan to continue my fitness efforts in this area--especially since my results have been rewarded. (I've discovered that the revised technique means that I can actually pass people on occasion.)

Almost everyone I know feels self-conscious about being seen in a bathing suit. And, as I talk about swimming I feel even more self-conscious, especially since my first post for Career Hub last summer focused on how Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin adjusts to feedback in the pool. There's something to be said for taking one's own advice--and who wants to admit that they had not done it before!?

I decided to share my experience in the pool anyway because I think it parallels the current experience of many job seekers: It is easy to get used to the old ways of doing things and if it worked in the past, it can be harder to try something new at the outset--even if the rules of the game have changed.

If you're active in this employment market, chances are good that the traditional job search process (find ad, send resume with cover letter, interview and get offer) may not work as quickly for you in the past--especially given that there are fewer postings now than before. As time equals money, I encourage you to seek assistance with your job search to help you ease the process. From YouTube videos on interviewing skills, to the free e-books available through Career Hub, you'll find a wealth of information available to help you adjust your techniques. If you learn better through a personal approach, contact me and let me know how I can help you dive in!

To Your Success,
Chandlee