

The systematic development of the deep down quality of unflinching courage is one of the fundamental requirements for leadership in any field. Fear, or lack of courage, is more responsible for failure in most areas of life, including total golf performance success, than any other factor. It is always fear that causes people (golfers) to hold back, to sell themselves short, and to settle for far less than they are capable of - both 'on' and 'off' the course!
Eliminate Fear and Doubt
I firmly believe that people can BE, DO and HAVE far more than they now know if they could eliminate the fear, doubts and misgivings that consciously and unconsciously interfere with the realization of their full golf performance potential.
Unlearn Your Fears
If there is anything positive about fears is that they are learned. No one is born with fears. They had to be learned. Therefore, they can be equally unlearned. And, if you want to understand the role of fear in shaping the course of your golf experience, just ask yourself,
"If I had a magic wand that would absolutely guarantee my total golf performance success ... no matter what I attempted ... what goal(s) would I set for myself?"
The Great Question
"What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail?"
If you had no fears 'at all' with regard to setting and achieving any golf performance goal you could dream of, what would you do differently than you've done so far? Most of the golfers I ask this questions to can think of many changes they would or could make in their goals, and in their performance strategy, if they truly had no fears holding them back.
The Origins of Fear
The development of courage with understanding the psychological origins of fear. The newborn child has no fears other than the fear of falling and the fear of lour noises - and those fears, naturally, are for self protection. All other fears as we grow into adulthood are learned, primarily as the result of well-meaning but destructive invalidation and/or criticism from our parents, family, friends and coaches.
How Fears Develop
When a curious child gets into things and makes a mess, the parent scolds and punishes the child, eventually building a pattern of fear connected with trying or getting into anything that is new or different. Pretty soon, as adults, we start behaving in ways, and making choices, to do the 'safe' things in life so we don't have to confront the fear of doing something 'wrong' or failing. For most adults, the fear of failure, taking a risk, making a mistake, or losing is very powerful and paralyzes much of our true potential.
Actions Exercises - Reprogramming Fear into Courage!
Here are two suggested 'action' steps you can immediately take that, when done consistently, will enable 'courage' to dominate 'fear' in your game and in life.
1) Imagine that you have no fears at all. What goals would you set for yourself if you were guaranteed total success?
2) Decide what you want and then act as if it were impossible to fail. You may be surprised at how successful you are!
If you'd like to learn more about how to break free from your fears, set new and exciting goals, and accomplish your dreams, then please visit www.CallawayGolfFitness.com and register for a FREE consultation or call directly at: 630-567-7572.
In my conversations and personal dealings with hundreds of top salespeople, athletes and entrepreneurs over the years, I have found that they all have one thing in common. They have taken the time to sit down and create a clear blueprint for themselves and their future lives. Even if they started the process of goal setting and personal strategic planning with a little skepticism, every one of them has become a true believer.
Becoming a True Believer
Every one of them has been amazed at the incredible power of goal setting and strategic planning. Every one of them has accomplished far more than they ever believed possible in selling and they attribute their success to the deliberate process of thinking through every aspect of their work and their lives, and then developing a detailed, written road map to get them to where they wanted to go.
The Definition of Success
Success and the happiness that comes from being successful has been defined as,
"The progressive realization of a worthy ideal, or goal."
When you are working progressively, step-by-step toward something that is important to you, you generate within yourself a continuous feeling of success and achievement. You feel more positive and motivated. You feel more in control of your own life. You feel happier and more fulfilled. You feel like a winner, and you soon develop the psychological momentum that enables you to overcome obstacles and plough through adversity as you move toward achieving the goals that are most important to you.
Determine Your Values
Personal strategic planning begins with your determining what it is you believe in and stand for-your values. Your values lie at the very core of everything you are as a human being. Your values are the unifying principles and core beliefs of your personality and your character. The virtues and qualities that you stand for are what constitute the person you have become from the beginning of your life to this moment.
Your values, virtues and inner beliefs are the axle around which the wheel of your life turns. All improvement in your life begins with you clarifying your true values and then committing yourself to live consistent with them.
Fuzzy or Clear?
Successful people are successful because they are very clear about their values. Unsuccessful people are fuzzy or unsure. Complete failures have no real values at all.
Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
Values clarification is the beginning exercise in building self-confidence, self-esteem and personal character. When you take the time to think through your fundamental values, and then commit yourself to living your life consistent with them, you feel a surge of mental strength and well-being. You feel stronger and more capable. You feel more centered in the universe and more competent of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.
1) Decide for yourself what makes you truly happy and then organize your life around it. Write down your goals and make plans to achieve them.
2) Begin with your values by deciding what it is you stand for and believe in. Commit yourself to live congruently (consistent with your inner most convictions) - and you'll never make another mistake.
"Don't concern yourself too much with how you are going to achieve your goal - leave that completely to a power greater than yourself. All you have to do is know where you're going. The answers will come to you of their own accord, and at the right time."