Swim with a purpose.

This might seem like common sense to most, by my wife says the problem with common sense is that it's not too common.
I got back in the pool the beginning of March to begin tri-training. This is probably the first time I've been in the water in 25 years where I wasn't hanging on to a tow rope or didn't have a regulator in my mouth. My goal was to put some miles in and that's what I did...I got in the pool and swam without thinking about much. I clocked my first 1500 m time on March 21st at 35:30. I continued in this manner until the beginning of May where I clocked in at 33.00. Not much of an improivement. Through reading many articles on swimming and many posts on this site I decided I needed to focus my swim workouts and decided I would not get in the water without a purpose. Now everytime I get in the water I make sure I have something to focus on, and mental cues at the ready...arm recovery, feeling the wind on my cheeks, nose to toes, elbow high, etc.
Today I clocked a 1500m in 27.40. A much bigger improvemnt in less time and I feel like I accomplish something in every workout instead of just putting in the miles.