How many times have you “tried” too hard to make something happen on the golf course, and instead scored a big number?
Last weekend the US Figure Skating Championships were held in Boston, Mass. It was one of the factors that determined who would go to the Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 21 days.
Agnes Zawadzki, a 19-year-old favorite to make the team had a strategy for her five minute short program. She wanted to “skate dumb.” To her this meant not to think and to let her body do what it knows how to do. Instead, she let her brain get in the way. In her required triple lutz she thought too hard. Instead of accomplishing the triple lutz that she had done hundreds of times, she doubled it and lost points on her performance. Agnes finished 11th in the trials and didn’t make the 3-woman Olympic team.
Perhaps it was the pressure of repaying her family for the years of sacrifice devoted to her career that caused her to “try” too hard. “Sometimes I feel like I’m never doing enough because I want to pay my mother back so much,” Agnes said.
Zawadzki’s single mother had worked 10+ hours a day for years to provide the training for Agnes. Her skate boots and blades cost $600 each. Her professionally made skating dresses could cost a couple thousand dollars each. Additional costs included coaching fees, ice time, ballet classes and travel. Hiring a top choreographer could mean $6,000 for a short program, and $9,000 for a long program.
To gain control, let go of control
Letting go of trying to control your golf swing means training your brain to let go of thinking about mechanics and allowing your subconscious mind to direct your body as you have instructed it through practice. Agnes knew that, but her underlying thoughts to make it happen were stronger. And fear took over.
For the past 20+ years I have been showing athletes how to “Just Do It” by putting themselves into the flow or “the zone state.”
You can begin to access this pleasurable state of peak performance now by calming your inner and outer world. Look diligently at your belief codes. Clear any fearful and limiting thoughts that keep you away from focusing in the moment. Replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts that empower you. You will know when you have done this because you will truly have fun playing golf.
Play “In the Zone” With Joan
Entrain Your Heart and Mind for Peak Performances
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