Be Your Absolute Best!
STAYING ON TRACK: THE ROAD TO PEAK PERFORMANCE
Player Profile: Adam Scott
One of the most important attributes that top professional athletes all have in common is their ability to be resilient and find the good in any given situation. They understand that so called “mistakes” are a necessary part of their development and they embrace whatever comes their way. It is this mental flexibility that they constantly work on to give them the best chance to reach their goals. Cultivating this mindset takes effort and practice, but the rewards speak for themselves.
A powerful exercise that any athlete can learn and practice is to reframe difficult situations and “choose” to see the same situation from a different lens. We don’t always have control over the outcome but we do have control over how we handle what comes our way. When an athlete chooses to find the good in any given situation, it increases confidence, motivation, and helps to fuel their desire to be the best they can be.
In 2012, Adam Scott had a 4 shot lead with just 4 holes to go at the British Open. With a four bogey finish, Adam lost a chance to win his first major championship. He was interviewed right after he lost and he admitted he was disappointed, but, he also mentioned that he wasn’t going to beat himself up over it. He felt he had a lot of great things to take away from this tournament. After all, it was the first time he had such a commanding lead in a major championship with just four holes to go. It was clear that he was committed to building from this experience. This is the art of mental toughness. He could have thought about all that went wrong, but he reframed the situation and looked at it as solid proof that he could win a major championship. There is no doubt that this attitude is what brought Adam to the next level in his career as a player. Instead of derailing him, he used that tournament as motivation. In less than one year, Adam Scott got his major and was crowned as the first Australian to win The Masters.
Click here to see the video entitled “Redemption”:
So when you are coming across challenges on the way to your ultimate goal, find ways to put a positive spin on what is happening. In doing so, you are metaphorically taking your mind to the gym and building the mental toughness that will help you to see your dreams through.
LOOKING TO ENHANCE YOUR MENTAL PERFORMANCE IN 2014?
In an effort to bring the best to my clients, I am now certified as a Sports and Performance Psychology Coach. I have been trained to help put together personally tailored mental training programs. These coaching sessions are not limited by distance. You can meet with me in person, via Google Hangouts or we can talk by phone. My coaching reflects the time I spent being mentored by Doctor Bob Rotella, and my training with Doctor JoAnn Dahlkoetter. For more information please visit: www.dmperformancecoaching.com.
If you happen to be in the Miami Area this winter and would like to meet for golf instruction, come and see me at the beautiful Melreese Country Club! I have been personally trained by some of the world’s best swing coaches, and I am excited to bring your game to the next level. You can also visit my golf website at www.davemahoneygolf.com.
Thank you!
Dave Mahoney
www.davemahoneygolf.com
www.dmperformancecoaching.com