Wrong. At least as often as it is right. I truly believe this. This mindset was fueled again after reading Freakanomics and I really do subscribe to this point of view.
We listen to what we are told. What "they" say. You know what I mean. You have to train harder and longer, yardage is the key to a successful swim program, this is your political party line, that health club is newer, it must be nicer. Sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong. However, I can tell you one thing, I would rather figure it out for myself than listen to Conventional Wisdom.
Every person and situation is different. There is no way that a collective opinion should sway you so much that you forgo your ability to choose and decide for yourself.
I have been told since I began swimming the conventional wisdom on stroke technique and how to train. There is value in those things, but my situation is different. I have 5 lanes outside, year round. It was -9 this morning during workout, so I gotta get creative. I had successes with my creativity and I have had failures, but I have learned what my style is along the way.
Draw from everything, from everybody. Keep an open mind and figure out your path. It is no doubt different than your friend and competitors and that is ok. In fact, if we all listened to Conventional Wisdom, the earth would still be flat and the sun would revolve around us. Yeah, thinking outside of the box is a good thing.
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