This makes me think that one could probably graph result:time logarithmically. At the start, you get much higher results out of just a bit more time, but as you aim for higher goals, it takes progressively more time for each improvement.
Given the diminishing returns involved, it’d probably be a useful life skill to be aware of these curves, and able to work with them. I’d probably be much happier being decent at swimming and four other things, rather than a top competitor at swimming...
I’d probably be much happier being decent at swimming and four other things, rather than a top competitor at swimming...
That was basically the choice I made when I left competitive swimming at age 16. (In terms of times, especially in short-distance, I peaked at around 13-14 and was actually getting slower in several events despite swimming 6-7 times per week.) Quitting allowed me to coach kids and work part-time at the pool during my last year of high school, which in retrospect was a lot more valuable than one more year of competition. I’m still the fastest swimmer on the pool staff, and the fact that my 100-meter time is almost 20 seconds slower than it was has no practical effect on anything except my ego.
I don’t like quitting stuff, and I need to overcome a lot of inertia to start new things, but I’m attempting to this summer for that reason: I think doing something new, where I can see a rapid learning curve, could be really satisfying. (Swing dancing=random men asking me to dance and then touching me=pretty much my worst nightmare. But my boyfriend thinks it will be good for my social skills and he’s probably right.)
There’s almost always a surplus of women at dancing-lessons. If you really don’t want the men touching you—you can always volunteer to be the “man” to some of the other women. Plus you really get a better feel for how the dance works if you learn it from both sides. :)
That’s actually a really good idea! (Although in swing dancing, it’s a lot harder work being the man because you lead, while the woman follows.) Also, the touching thing is getting better with time. It bothered me less the second time I went.
it’s a lot harder work being the man because you lead
oh I agree—the same with Salsa, Tango and many other dancing styles. But doing that part sure gives you a better idea of what the dance is really like—and you can even better anticipate the man’s lead if you know how leading feels from the other side. :)
This makes me think that one could probably graph result:time logarithmically. At the start, you get much higher results out of just a bit more time, but as you aim for higher goals, it takes progressively more time for each improvement.
Given the diminishing returns involved, it’d probably be a useful life skill to be aware of these curves, and able to work with them. I’d probably be much happier being decent at swimming and four other things, rather than a top competitor at swimming...
That was basically the choice I made when I left competitive swimming at age 16. (In terms of times, especially in short-distance, I peaked at around 13-14 and was actually getting slower in several events despite swimming 6-7 times per week.) Quitting allowed me to coach kids and work part-time at the pool during my last year of high school, which in retrospect was a lot more valuable than one more year of competition. I’m still the fastest swimmer on the pool staff, and the fact that my 100-meter time is almost 20 seconds slower than it was has no practical effect on anything except my ego.
I don’t like quitting stuff, and I need to overcome a lot of inertia to start new things, but I’m attempting to this summer for that reason: I think doing something new, where I can see a rapid learning curve, could be really satisfying. (Swing dancing=random men asking me to dance and then touching me=pretty much my worst nightmare. But my boyfriend thinks it will be good for my social skills and he’s probably right.)
Re: dancing.
There’s almost always a surplus of women at dancing-lessons. If you really don’t want the men touching you—you can always volunteer to be the “man” to some of the other women. Plus you really get a better feel for how the dance works if you learn it from both sides. :)
That’s actually a really good idea! (Although in swing dancing, it’s a lot harder work being the man because you lead, while the woman follows.) Also, the touching thing is getting better with time. It bothered me less the second time I went.
oh I agree—the same with Salsa, Tango and many other dancing styles. But doing that part sure gives you a better idea of what the dance is really like—and you can even better anticipate the man’s lead if you know how leading feels from the other side. :)