In my last post, I linked a radio interview I did, where I talked about Luke Donald’s back nine success in his last event, securing the #1 spot on the PGA Tour. I believe he made a conscious decision on the 10th tee box to take his game to another level, knowing he needed an incredible nine hole stretch to win. It was this decision that propelled his game past the field. He was more intent on making it happen, then he was focused on being afraid to fail.

I’ve received a few emails, asking how one decision can elevate a player’s game so quickly. This is what I talk about all the time — this is how the elite, 1% separate from the field. For the first time since Tiger Wood’s downfall, someone “Tigered” the field. Luke had to win, or finish in solo second, in order to stay #1 on Tour. He knew this goal was in trouble after an average front nine on Sunday, and was left with no other choice but to record a “career back nine.”

On the 10th tee, I believe he had a conversation with himself: “This is it! I need to find a way to focus more intensely than I ever have. I will take my game to another level… right now!”

Obviously, those weren’t his exact words, but I have no doubt that he looked at himself from the inside-out, and made a conscious decision to find greatness! I don’t believe in coincidental success, where somehow it just happens. Luke put in the hours, physically and mentally, and made committed decisions to attain his goals. On the back nine of this specific tournament, he simply intensified those decisions.

I work with a player on the Northwestern team, who was lucky enough to have Luke show him his golf log book. It was filled with the tiniest details of his goals, progress, and improvements needed. He logs every day, and because of this attention to detail, it’s no coincidence that Luke shined under the massive pressure.

Don’t sit and wait for success to find you … make it happen. Decide that it absolutely WILL take shape. Create a fearless attitude that won’t settle for average. Become the 1%.

http://www.hernco.com/golfclub/radio/2011/102911gc.mp3

The next time you feel like whining, watch this inspiring video. We all need to focus more on our current blessings, and less about what we’re lacking.

His words of wisdom, talking about achievement: “All impossible becomes possible … only belief!”

What are you willing to sacrifice to get It? Sleep, food, friends who don’t believe, “realistic” family members? Until you make this committed decision, success will remain illusive, glued to the tip of your fingers, unable to fall into your palms.

Will you sacrifice your Plan B, replacing it with an unwavering belief that your Plan A is your destiny? In a video I posted couple days ago, Will Smith talked about the slightly delusional quality all highly successful people share…

“I believe things don’t have to remain the same, even if they’ve been a certain way for 50 million years,” he said. “You have to know that, if you’re committed enough, you can change any path…”

At first glance, this sounds crazy, but without exception, the most successful 1%r’s share this mindset. Belief before outcome! Helping my students believe in themselves prior to the successful result is my top priority. It’s this mindset that will propel them past their current comfort zones.

I speak from a place of improvement, not mastery. I believe mastery may be impossible, yet I continue striving for it. We never get it, only get closer TO it. I walk a daily path of fear, doubt, success, and unwavering belief… all in the same pair of shoes. I’ve lived a life of self critisim and lack of belief in my abilities, but years ago, made a committed decision to end that mindset. My days are now spent changing what I see in the mirror, and what I feel in my core, all while helping others change their own.

How badly do you want It? What will you sacrifice?

In my last video post, Will Smith hit it on the head:

It’s not about whether you want it or not, it only comes down to whether or not you make a committed decision to get it! After that decision, you’ll find a way of attaining that goal, no matter the obstacles.

Another piece of the video that hit home was Will’s explanation of Talent vs. Skill:

This is a huge factor that must be understood, thoroughly, in order to achieve your next level. God given talent is wonderful, but without putting in massive time to hone your craft, you’ll find yourself sitting in the same chair, year after year.

His mindset will NEVER, EVER allow him to quit. He’ll die trying, before he stops working. Again, the success he’s tasted isn’t about his talent … it comes from his relentlessness; his ability to only see future triumph.

The only thing holding you back is … you! Believe, decide, become the 1%.

Will Smith is tremendously successful, not because he has a lot of money, but because he’s mastered the 1% mindset. I was floored watching this video! He’s such a next level thinker!

I’m sitting on the couch, Ipad on my lap, icing my sprained ankle after a morning trip down the outside steps. My two year old daughter decided to listen to her daddy for once, and wait for me on the top step, in order to walk down together. As I turned around from the locking the front door, there she was, standing directly in front of me. Naturally trying to avoid knocking her down, I swerved out of the way, falling to the 2nd step, only to hear my ankle “pop” and twist, knocking us both to the bottom of the steps… golf clubs and her school bag strapped to my shoulders. Clubs went flying, Logan fell on her stomach, car keys flew into street, and both of us left wincing in pain. Not my finest moment.

My entire day (maybe the week) is now left in a scramble. Clients to call, times to move around, and ways of salvaging my scheduled sessions needing to be figured out. There was two minutes of panic, as I focused on how screwed my day just became. As those brief two minutes ended, my two favorite words took over: “Now what?!”

Instead of worrying about how long I’d be out of aciton, or how many clients I was going to need to call, answers became the priority. It’ll be these answers that shape my day, week, and the rest of my life. It doesn’t matter what happens, only the questions I ask myself after it happens.

By no means is this post about comparing my little ankle sprain to others’ more challenging experiences. Rather, the focus is on finding answers, no matter the situation. It’s these answers that will dictate who we become.

Reading different articles on all the social media outlets and personal blogs, it seems as if talking about the negative that’s happening in life has become habitual. There’s so much complaining and whining about one’s experiences, yet at the same time, wondering why change isn’t taking place. Or even worse, blaming others for their own unfortunate circumstances.

Let me share a secret that’s not really a secret: The more we talk about the pain in our life, without focus on changing it’s future, the more pain we’ll experience!

Sympathy is a strong emotion, and can become addicting. Sure, it feels wonderful to have others patting our backs, and telling us everything will be o.k. (and may even be healthy, short term), but long term, it’s paralyzing to our goal setting passion.

No matter what’s happened, or happening to us, stay focused on the future goals we’ve set. Depending on our challenges, the time it takes to achieve those goals will differ, but the passion, discipline, and action needed will always remain the same.

Choose the picture. Paint it with every last ounce of fight you have.