There is such a thing as trying too hard

November 8, 2008 · Filed Under Golf Tips, Mental Golf · 1 Comment 

“Lighten up Rand you’re taking this way too serious,” Neale Donald Walsch.

It’s true I was taking my spirituality way too seriously. You know what, I’ve been taking my life way too seriously too. Come to think about it, I’ve been taking my golf way too serious as well. Too much uptight overly intense emotion or mood on the golf course is basically an expression of fear. It keeps us tight, free from expressing our full artistic potential. It also takes further away from The Zone. We’ve projected ourselves into the future (thinking and worrying about outcome) and out of the present moment, where focus and excellence abounds. One of the characteristics of being in The Zone is being present right here and right now.

This phenomenon known as being in the present moment, staying loose, free to fully express oneself, giving ones best effort in the here and now is exactly what Captain Paul Azinger was able to pull off with his players at the Ryder Cup. It certainly didn’t hurt having a Boo Weekly around telling of his orangutan story or galloping down the first fairway like Happy Gilmore. The team stayed present and focused and away from being too overly intense, a trying too hard to make it happen versus relaxing, having fun, and allowing it to happen. Did I mention that Captain Azinger also hired Ron Braund, a life coach to guide the way and support this intention?

Think about it. When do you play your best golf? When you are trying too hard, pressing to make it happen or when you are enjoying the moment and allowing it to happen? Are you taken it too serious or are you having fun? Too often I find myself getting all uptight and tense over what?

I invite you to find a new thought that will lighten you up. Reach for a better feeling thought. ‘Hey, I’m with my friends it’s a beautiful day. This isn’t life or death out there. My wife is still going to kiss me when I come home. Might as well relax into this…after all, golf is supposed to be fun.’ The moment you shed that weight will be the moment you begin playing well again. Why not start sooner! Just be who you really are. Embrace the highs and lows along the fairway of life for this too shall come to pass.


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