Making It A Game - How to Get Across

Make It A Game

Outtakes from Article by Erin Barker on Navy Seal Training

Don about 14 miles into the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim

In this second part of the series we are breaking apart Erin Baker's article on why Navy Seals are so tough (Resilient) and what the everyday open water marathon swimmer can learn. 

When we do things repetitively we do take notice. More often than not however its an annoying type of recognition rather than motivating. I choose to make it a game.

• What’s one of the things people who live through disaster scenarios have in common? They make survival a game.

• Happiness expert Shawn Achor said the best way to deal with stress is to see problems as challenges, not threats.

• Kids do better in school when it’s treated like a game.

James, a Navy Seal, said the same thing about getting through the tough times at BUD/S:

Many people don’t recognize that what they’re doing at BUD/S is assessing your ability to handle a difficult circumstance and keep going.

It’s a game. If you want to be or attempt a seriously long swim in excess of say 6 miles and/or in cold water , you’ve got to play that game. You’ve got to have fun with it and you’ve got to keep your eye on the bigger picture.