I went golfing this past Tuesday with a couple of friends. The day was beautiful, 81 degrees and sunny.
I was in the same golf cart with my buddy Jim. We played the front 9 holes and we all had a great time. We all had what we would call "Tiger Woods" type shots LOL, and we had our share of marginal shots but still had a great time.
My friend Jim was shooting a pretty good game on the front 9 holes and I was pretty impressed with him. Jim had lived in this area for several years and we played golf often. He and his wife moved away for 7 years and we lost contact with each other. This was our first time golfing together in 8 ½ years and it was nice to get together again.
Back to our golf game. After stopping at the club house to get something to snack on we proceeded on to the back 9. Jim's game started to take a turn and wasn't as sharp as on the front 9. He started to hit one bad shot after another and started becoming pretty negative about his game which was going down the toilet fast. Not only was his game going down, but his confidence was waning big time.
On the 13th hole Jim hit a decent drive which left him 119 yards from the pin for his approach shot. More negativity comes from Jim when he says to me, "I hate this yardage, it is a bad yardage for me and I never do well from this yardage".
I finally had enough of the negativity and I said to him "This is a great yardage and you are going to hit a great shot!" "Take a smooth practice swing and get up there and hit the shot of your life!".
Jim took a nice practice swing and hit the best shot of the day! He was all over the flag and left himself only a 3 foot putt for birdie! All he could say was "Wow!" I said, "Now fill your mind with positive thoughts and play the rest of the holes like you and I know you can!" "I don't want to hear I CAN'T anymore!"
Jim went on to play the rest of the holes at just 1 over par which is a great score on this long course!
It is amazing how we can become our own worse enemy. One thing goes bad, then another, and then another. We start questioning ourselves and start thinking maybe things are as bad as everyone says they are. "Maybe I'm not as good as I thought I was".
This is the same in our office. The agents that come in every day and tell us how bad the real estate market is are struggling to pay their expenses. On the other side of the coin you can see which agents will again have 6 figure incomes just like they have done in the past and there are several.
The next time your swing is out of check, take a deep breath and say to yourself "I can hit this shot", "I can change my market", "I can change the way I speak", "I can change my world".
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Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.
Encouraging blog. Thanks for sharing.
Rob
Golfing aside, which I have an interesting way of playing (i.e., if I don't like my shot I pick up my ball and place it next to my husband's -- he generally makes good shots), positive "I can do this" or "this will work" or "this will happen" or "I can change the market" (which I believe I'm doing), are all positive and uplifting thought processes. Your article is really well thought out and offers many hidden nuggets (e.g., "We start questioning ourselves and start thinking maybe things are as bad as everyone says it is." AND "I don't want to hear I CAN'T anymore!" AND "Not only was his game going down, but his confidence was waning big time.")
Thanks for the attitude pump!
George,
You are so right! I can't begin to tell you how many blows we've taken this year. If you only knew, you'd think I was the most positive person you knew. But seriously, I try to always look on the bright side of things - no matter how small and insignificant they may be. It really does try one's beliefs though. Thank you for your post.
Rob - You are welcome
Terry - Thanks for sharing a great story
Carol - I hope things work out well and be blessed
Randy - Good to hear from you my friend
Lisa & Robert - Thanks for your friendship and support
JIm & Maria - I appreciate your comments
Missy - Very true my friend
The power of visualization is real. The most powerful visualization is visualizing yourself in a rut. It's a downhill spiral. Take that deep breath right away to avoid the spiral at all costs!
(no matter what you say I'm not golfing)
Hi George - it's just like that old saying that says, "If you think you can, you can; if you think you can't, you can't". Either way, whatever you think is just what you get for yourself.
Take a deep breath, and know I can....... that's what I've been doing all year, as last year was not so great for me in a variety of ways. I kept my 6 figure income but the attitude was off due to deaths in my family and a crappy market. This year, THIS year, no matter what it brought, I told myself I would get my attitude up there and KEEP IT THERE. And I've done just that. So, "I think I can"...and I've done just that. No matter what!
Great message here, my friend!
Ann
Great Stuff as always George!
George - great words of wisdom.
When you try to point this out to the negative people, sometimes they still do not get it. They keep going on with there negative way. What a downer. But to others that see this negativism, this is a good lesson on not how to be.
George,
Nice post. My dad used to say, "with golf, it only takes one good shot to get you back". The nuns in grade school taught us to be persistent like the spider! How true! Thanks, Fran
Bob & Carolyn - Yes, we can all do better
Janice - Words of wisdom my friend. Have a great weekend!
Chuck - Very true and thank you
Brett - The mind is very powerful
Toni - Thank you and good luck to you
Fran - All very true...thank you
George,
Your positive outlook is so refreshing. I think you have a book somewhere within you - you could write a great motivational book.
Rita - Thank you so much my friend. You are about the 4th member recently to tell me I should write a book but I am not worthy and not even close to having the talent but thank you so much for the compliment. I hope you are well.
Vincent - Thank you and yes can't is one ugly word
George this is so true. Great post as usual. I have something for you; please be sure to check your email...I think you are going to be pretty suprised!!!
Great thoughts, thanks for sharing. I often like to write poetry to the love of my life and a long time ago I wrote a line that I have since used very often and your post reminded me of it.
"The Magic begins in the moment You begin to believe." © DJQ
Karen - I emailed you back my friend and don't think you received it.
Darrel - Very interesting.
George, you always inspire me to do better...that's why I come to your blog!
Hope all is well for you and your family,
Dane
Bridget - Thank you my friend and go "Kill the Bear!"
Dane - Thank you my friend and God bless you