In athletic pursuits like running and swimming, there’s a common irony: when we’re struggling and desperately trying to go faster, we often make mistakes that slow us down. In running, we might tighten our muscles, overstride, or pump our arms too aggressively. When we really overstride, the front foot hits the ground at an angle that creates a braking force. In swimming, we may kick harder or thrash our arms, thinking more force will push us forward, or knees push the water as we raise them too high and this create a back force, creating drag and wasting energy. The harder we try, the less effective we become.
This physical irony reflects a broader truth about life. When we’re under pressure—whether in work, relationships, or personal growth—we can fall into the same trap. Often the very actions that appear as a result of a sense of desperation for improvement are unskillful and create a backwards breaking force that holds us back.