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“My coach doesn’t believe in me.”
“I got a lousy start.”
“My opponent trash talked me.”
These are typical reasons athletes give for their bad attitude or poor performance when the going gets tough.
The truth?
These athletes are using distractions as an excuse to wallow in fear and self-pity.
It’s the Dark Side of the Force tempting them.
Remember what Yoda said?
The Dark Side is quicker, easier, and more seductive.
I once worked with a golfer who was defending her Senior Club Championship.
To be close to her, I caddied, and the first day she shot a 72, taking a 5 stroke lead.
But the final day she came out average.
Eventually her missed shots began to irritate my golfer. Comments like, “I can’t believe that didn’t go in!” and “I missed another one!” started to creep in.
To make matters worse, her rival was having a great round, mounting a strong charge.
When she missed a putt on the 10th hole, my golfer said, “Of course that didn’t go in. That’s how it’s been all day for me.”
I reminded her that golf is a game of patience.
She replied, “That’s what you said 4 holes ago. How long do I have to be patient?!”
What I wanted to say was, “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Stop being negative. The Dark Side is getting you.”
Of course I didn’t.
Finally, as we were walking to the 14th hole, I said,
“Do you remember your attitude when you play poker? Every time you sit down, you expect good cards. You expect to win. Right now, you are expecting bad cards. You are expecting NOT to win. You are expecting your putts not to drop and you are playing conservative golf. And you are attracting what you are thinking about.
You need to use the law of attraction in your favour. Hit every shot with the expectation that it’s going to be great. Play every shot as if you are holding aces!
My golfer didn’t answer right away.
She walked a few steps, then smiled. “You’re right. I am expecting bad cards and I am expecting things not to go my way. It’s time to turn it around.”
She made 3 birdies in a row and won the Championship by 3 strokes.
How can you take control of your mental game and invoke secrets like the law of attraction?
By learning the mental toughness strategies only superstar athletes know about.
Using the law of attraction to deal with distractions is a powerful mental toughness strategy – one that will help you win under stressful, unpredictable, or harrowing circumstances.
Think of how good you could be if you truly internalized all the elements of mental toughness.
It’s why I created my Ebook, The Courage to Win in Sport. In it you learn the secret mental toughness mindset hoarded by superstar athletes. You can even download it for FREE with our seven day trial. Check it out here:
www.thecouragetowin.com/sportebook
And make sure you sign up for free mental toughness tips too. They will change the way you approach sport forever.
Let’s start 2011 off with a bang.
Your friend,
Lisa B.