2010 Masters: Three Sports Psychology Take-Aways

Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Todd Herman in Opinion

Phil receiving the Green Jacket

The movies can’t do it…

Politics can’t do it…

There is nothing on the planet like sports.  It captivates our attention and creates story-lines like nothing else.

The 2010 Masters didn’t disappoint.  It had more story-lines than the entire 2009 Hollywood movie releases combined.

Whether it was Tiger’s return.  Lee Westwood’s quest for a first ‘Major’.  Or, Phil’s search for another championship after 4 years of drought and an emotional year of their family battling breast cancer.

Here are 3 takeaways from the 2010 Masters:

1. It takes more than a public statement of change to alter your competitive tendencies. Tiger, made the declaration a few weeks back that he will curb his outbursts.

   The problem: Now everyone expects him to be even more ‘perfect’ than he was before his tumble from society’s pedestal.

   What actually happened?: He was Tiger.   He had a few outbursts, swore a little and tossed his club.  And, people go right back to judging him on a scale they would never put themselves on.  It’s completely Hypocritical.

   The Reality. Anytime you try to change a part of your personality which is completely natural – it will take a heck of a lot more than a public declaration.  In order, for you to change something that has been a fundamental part of who you are it will take complete daily focus for months.  Not days.  Not weeks.  MONTHS.  Your brain needs to learn a new natural process.  It’s like trying to re-train the roots of a 100 year old oak tree to get it’s water supply from the underground stream on the right, rather than the one on the left. (Which it’s been getting for 100 years!)The re-wiring takes time.
   

2. Your body language says a lot about what’s going on inside.

   Insight: Amy Mickelson, said, “When I saw the way Phil was walking off # 12.  I knew he wasn’t going to let this one slide away.  That’s when I rushed to get ready and head over to the golf course.” (paraphrasing) (Amy was lying in bed resting from her rounds of chemo and weak from her battle with breast cancer.)

   What About You?: Everybody has some natural physical tendencies they display when they feel like everything is going their way.  Find out what yours are, practice them and you can immediately trigger positive emotions and tap the inner confidence you’ll need to succeed.

3. 

   Phil and Amy after The Masters

   Playing for yourself is good.  Playing for someone or something else is beyond powerful.

   Back-story: For the past year Phil’s wife Amy and his mom have been battling breast cancer.

   Result: Phil has often said, it’s re-prioritized his life, it’s brought the family even more close together and it makes him want to do even more for his family.

   Your Takeaway: I’ve said it in my speeches, my coaching sessions and to friends asking for advice.  “The person with the biggest WHY will always win.”  What’s your why?  The goals or dreams you’d like to achieve can be fueled with the power of asking yourself ‘Why’.

   Here’s my challenge to you – sit down and ask yourself why you want ‘that’ goal.  Don’t just stop at one.  Act like a curious three year old.  Keep on asking why and writing it down.  I promise by about #17 you’ll start to hit the real reasons.

   Just like a miner digging for gold… the deeper you go, the more you’ll find.

Now.  Here’s the challenge.  Did you just read that and say… “hmmm sounds like a good idea.”  Or, “Makes sense.  I’ll get to it later today or after I finish surfing the web.” Be honest.  It’ll never happen.

Do it now.  Or, you’ll never do it.

“When your WHY is big enough, the HOW doesn’t matter.”

Todd Herman is the Peak Performance coach and Mental Trainer to numerous professional and Olympic athletes around the world.  Teams and players use Todd to prepare for major competitions, seasons or to learn some simple techniques to get the most out of their abilities.  If you’re struggling with any self-doubt, negative self-talk, or would like to develop a plan to reach your athletic goals – we now have openings for two new amateur clients.  Contact Us Today!