Archived Newsletters - DO YOUR THOUGHTS GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR GOLF GAME? :
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Newsletter July 2020
Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANT)
Do you think you are a positive person? According to the National Science Foundation, the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts every day.
Of those thoughts, 80% are negative and 95% are the same thoughts you thought before. Are you aware of the repetitive and/or negative thoughts you have on the golf course that are detrimental for your golf game?
Your golf game is a direct reflection of your thoughts and emotions. To change your game, change your thoughts and attitude because you are your own worst judge and jury. When you hit a bad shot, or make a big number, do you quickly rush to a verdict about yourself? The more you become aware of the power of your thoughts, the more you can be in charge of your experience and world.
Self-Talk
Self-talk is your internal dialogue. It is influenced by your subconscious mind, and it reveals your thoughts, beliefs, questions, and ideas. Self-talk can be both negative and positive. The self-talk that we all have, is either voices from our past (fear) that we have chosen to replay on the tape in our heads, or thoughts of the future (anxiety) that we expect will happen. Either self-talk will sabotage your golf game. Even a pro will experience anxiety over an expected result.
How do we get these voices in our heads and learn to sabotage ourselves? Children are like sponges and automatically believe every single thing adults say about them, and then they self-perpetuate those beliefs into adulthood. If someone told you as a child that you had a good golf swing, that you are well coordinated, and that you will be a great golfer, you have a dream and believe it. If you were told that you weren't good enough, this notion is then installed into your unconscious mind and you will continue to struggle with being successful.
When you think the same positive thoughts consistently, you create a powerful momentum. Ask yourself if your thoughts agree with what you want to experience. The more you become aware of the power of your thoughts, the more you can be in charge of your golf game experience and your world.
The past is behind you and you must leave it there. Walk away from the past. Stay in the present to create each shot as a new experience. Do not keep looking back. Whenever you encounter a negative thought on the golf course, replace it with a positive one repeatedly so it will become a habitual self-affirming thought in your unconscious mind. In this way you can change your internal programming from being stressed out, anxious, fearful, worried, angry, or overwhelmed to a state where you feel playful, love, creativity, gratitude, joyful, and appreciation.
Mistakes
There is no such thing as an error-free round of golf. You are going to make mistakes and you are going to have some bad breaks.
Research suggests that regardless of the activity, we make between three to six errors per hour. That is the reason there is an eracer on the end of a pencil. We all make mistakes on and off the golf course. You are not your mistakes. What is important is how we effectively bounce back from our mishits and grow stronger from the learning experience.
One of the things that defines our character is how we handle mistakes. Let yourself learn and grow from them. Let yourself be. You are only human and will make mistakes. Don't let your mistake turn into a habit. Learn from it and move on.
When you are playing "in the zone" there is no fear or anxiety. If you mishit a shot, it doesn't bother you because you know that you are in control of all facets of your game. You are totally enjoying being focused on shot-making.
It is my belief that all mistakes on the golf course are mental errors caused by worrisome thoughts. When I mishit a shot/putt, I immediately physically replay it to anchor the shot I did want into my unconscious instead of leaving the negative imprint of a mishit.
Making mistakes is part of the human experience. We all make them. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are just proof that you are trying. Don't judge yourself for making mistakes. Learn from them so you won't make them again. When you make enough of them, you will have more control and have learned how to play the game successfully.
The only certainty about golf is its uncertainty. One day you feel good about your game and play poorly. The next day you have no expectations and win.
Keep your golf dreams alive with positive thoughts and emotions. You never know when the miracles will happen.
© PositiveMentalImagery 2020 - All Rights Reserved
Play "in the zone" with Joan
Entrain Your Heart & Mind for Peak Performances
To train your brain to play your best golf, listen to Positive Mental Imagery self-hypnosis guided imagery CDs in the privacy of your own home, available at www.pmi4.com/cart
If you aren't able to maintain trust and belief in yourself on the golf course, email Joan at pmi4@bellsouth.net or call 828.696.2547 for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation about developing a new strategy. Learn what is missing in your golf game so you can achieve the success you desire.
"THE HEART OF GOLF, Access Your Supreme Intelligence for Peak Performances" explores and explains negative emotions such as fear and performance anxiety, the four Cs of mind blockage, the four progressive stages of learning the supreme intelligence of the heart, and the way to access the zone in competition. It is a player's guide for developing your true inner self by returning to the joy and love of self instead of seeking praise and rewards from the outside world.
"THE HEART OF GOLF" guide book for transforming your life
and your golf game
is available now on Amazon and Kindle
https://amzn.to/2MQzjfq
All royalties will be donated to Junior Golf!
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