Ask someone to describe the 7th hole at Peeble Beach Golf Links and they’ll probably mention the ocean waves crashing against the seawall on the left, right, and far sides of the hole. They’ll also tell you about the bunkers that are short, long, and left. They also might mention the wind that frequently blows there. But, these are only part of the description that define the golf hole. Without them one of the most picturesque golf holes in the world would be just another hole at your local muni.
How you describe your next shot can make all the difference on how well you perform. If you tell yourself, “Don’t hit it left like you usually do” you’ll probably hit it left. Or, what if you say, “Got to get the ball up so it goes over the sand bunker.” Again, the opposite will often be your result. Remember obstacles are there only to define the golf hole. The green is ample, lush and waiting to receive your ball.
The same is true in life. If you tell yourself that golf is hard then that’s probably what you’ll see. If you say, “I can’t…” or “I could never…” then you probably won’t ever…
Remember to describe each golf hole, indeed each opportunity, in terms of what you intend to do with phrases like, “I intend to take a three-quarter swing with my pitching wedge aiming ten yards to the right of the pin so the ball is carried onto the green pin high.”
Take a look at the project you’re working on. What do you see?
