“The minute that you think you’ve learned enough is the minute you’ve just proven that you haven’t. Getting to further my education in any aspect of life is exciting. Learning things that you’re completely uncomfortable with or unaware of, that are new to you, is exactly why you continue to grow.”
Jonathan Nelson / PR Manager
Don’t let fear fool you.
Our mindset coming into new endeavors is often that of fear: of inexperience, the unknown, failure, disappointment, responsibility. The challenge is to channel that fear into motivation, knowing that you can harness that untamed nervous energy to drive productivity and determination for success.
The Community Rowing Institute boathouse is the first stop for rowers before hitting the water.
Rowing practice doesn’t just happen on the water. Indoor rowing machines, also known as ergometers or “ergs”, help rowers improve time, form, endurance, and rhythm when they can’t practice in the boat.
Make your mistakes matter.
On the water, rowers sometimes catch “crabs”: moments of resistance that occur when the oar blade gets caught in the water, acting as an accidental, abrupt braking system. Sometimes a crab can be minor, and the rower recovers quickly. Other times, crabs can be powerful enough to eject a rower from the boat. Being ready for the unexpected makes all the difference—and learning from past mistakes makes it easier to move on.
Be selfless in your view of the bigger picture.
Some obstacles are too big to take on alone. That can be a good thing. Sometimes, personal goals and a stake in your own outcome distract from the actions that best serve the entire endeavor and team involved. Keeping the overall goal in perspective—whether on the water or in the office—helps everyone find the smartest way to reach it.
“I think the minute I left the water, it was in my head that I would want to come back to the rowing league and give it another shot.”
Team “Not Eight” prepares for their race and heads out to the starting line.
“It’s about being in the moment and fully immersing yourself into the experience and the time that it takes to get there.”
Ready all, row
Understanding the importance of your entire team—and your role within it—is integral to achieving success. With rowing, as with so many other parts of life, achieving a goal becomes more meaningful when everyone falls in sync and crosses the finish line together.
Ready all, row
Understanding the importance of your team is an integral component to understanding the meaning of success.
No one person is going to cross the finish line when working with a team. When one is weak the others are strong, and the goal should be bigger than any one individual in order to be achieved.
Learn more
about Community Rowing Institute programs.
