He’s poised. He’s articulate. He’s thoughtful. He’s willing to speak honestly about his shortcomings… and now he’s a US Open Champion! He’s Rory McIlroy, and he’s 22 years old!

We don’t have to be golfers to understand how pressure affects our thoughts and actions. Just two months ago, Rory allowed that pressure to dictate, ultimately getting the best of him. The media frenzy that followed his mental collapse at The Masters would’ve destroyed most people, and definitely all 22 year olds. Somehow, he found the confidence and maturity to stand in front of the microphone, head held high, and, in front of the world, confront his weaknesses. He was sincere, unapologetic, and promised internal change would result.

This post isn’t about winning the Open, but instead, the mental toughness, fearlessness, and discipline it took to make such a quick comeback. All of us can relate to falling on our face, and having to make a decision whether to stay down, or stand and risk more failure. We haven’t had to look at those crossroads in front of the world, though… making his mental comeback even more miraculous.

The microphone from The Golf Channel was shoved in his face, tape recorders from ESPN, and an infinite amount of global reporters, all asking if he’d ever recover from his Augusta meltdown. How did Rory answer? By literally destroying US Open scoring records, quietly and confidently swaggering down each fairway.

His physical actions mirrored genius, but I’m more impressed with his emotional domination of the field. He made a conscious decision to mentally command his every thought. In his words, he “lost himself in the process of every decision.” He focused on his mindset, and the results that would manifest from his thinking. THIS is the genius that was Rory McIlroy.

Some say he’s the next Tiger Woods, others believe it’s too early, and no one will duplicate that type of mastery. I’m of the opinion that if he decides the reward at the end of the grind is worth the mental discipline, his trophy case will be overflowing with Major wins. The power of the mind is infinite. Unfortunately, not many attempt to tap into it’s ability, leaving us with many physical talents, most underachieving. Rory has proven his mechanical perfection, and for a four day stretch, the potential of his mental performance. Will he look in the mirror, smile, and feel the need for more?

When we stare at our own reflection, what’s looking back? Are we living up to our potential? Are we pushing through our comfort zones, willing to grimace through the pain of growth? What can we learn from this amazing 22 year old?

Back in high school during a basketball game, I remember trying to make a fancy play, Magic Johnson style, when my coach yelled across the floor, “Keep it simple, stupid!” I’m not a big fan of calling my students stupid, but I do agree with my former hot-headed coach that simpler is better.

One of the biggest traps coaches unknowingly fall into, in my opinion, is making it more difficult than it has to be. As I was recently reminded by a wise teacher, Lance McWilliams (http://www.ZoomBoomGolf.com): “You don’t have to explain to me how the watch works… just tell me the time.” That statement is as true as it gets. As a student, it’s instinctive to think your coach must tell you everything he knows about the subject in order for you to learn. The opposite is true — the less he tells you, the more you’ll comprehend in the long term. 


As I was working out, practicing for a tennis tournament years ago, I was interrupted by a coach on the court next to mine, who was barking out instruction after instruction to his teenage student. “Do this, then that. Then after you finished that, make sure you remember not to forget to do this. When you’re done with all of that, remember to check position (A), making sure it’s not in position (B)…” I wanted to scream! The kid was struggling, and getting very frustrated. 


I literally walked over to the fence, in the middle of my practice session, and asked if I could add one simple instruction to his lesson. Back in those days, I didn’t understand how much of a cocky, inappropriate move it was to interrupt another teacher’s lesson. I was young, arrogant, and knew it all. I believed it needed to be done, as this coach obviously didn’t understand the concept of K.I.S.S. I suggested that his student try focusing on (X), rather than getting bogged-down in everything else. The coach told me the problem was more complex than the one, simple fix I was offering, but he’d allow his student to try it (probably thinking it would fail miserably, and he’d be shoo-ing me back to my court). As the teenager began working on my suggestion, I went back to my practice session, but making sure I kept an ear on the teaching court. “Nice shot, Scott… you got it” was all I heard for the next 1/2 hour. 


No matter what your goals, make sure to focus on the simple path. It may look more exciting to walk along a complex, more detailed direction, but more isn’t always better. Actually, it rarely is! Listen to everyone who wants to help you, but be diligent when trying to decipher who’s “talking big” vs. who’s talking simple. I’ve learned the hard way — the one who constantly talks about how good he is, and the guarantees of instant success, is the one who’s the most insecure. The teacher who wants you to focus on less, concentrating on a patient, long term process is the person you should trust. 


In order to achieve anything, action must be taken. Simple, detailed action is the key! If you’re feeling confused, look for another way. It doesn’t have to be complicated.


Take a peek at your watch. Forget how it works. What time is it?

When we try, we don’t. When we let go, we do!

Growing up playing sports, this was a common theme. The harder we tried to win, the less likely it would happen. The tighter we squeezed the bat or tennis racquet, the less relaxed our muscles became, not allowing for a relaxed swing. This same concept plays an important role in every part of our lives, as it relates to achieving something out of our comfort zones.

When we’re passionate, our instincts tell us to “try harder” to grab ahold of that goal. Instead, we need to create a new instinct that instructs us to “let go.” Let go of the outcome, and hang on to the details needed to achieve the outcome. Let go of the stress associated with the end result, and paint a mental picture of how it will manifest. Let go of the expectations of such lofty goals, and step consistently towards that next level.

When we squeeze that driver, wanting to hit it 310 yards, our muscles tighten, our breathe becomes shallow and constricted, and relaxation becomes an afterthought. “I’m going to crush this ball” is the last thought our mind hears, ultimately producing a drive that my 2 1/2 year old daughter would laugh at. Instead, let go of desired results, see and feel the shot, and accept all possible outcomes. This type of thinking will create and instant relaxation of the muscles, allowing the body to produce the shot visualized.

“I’m going to try and lose 25 lbs” is another common theme among my students. This also creates a focus that doesn’t allow long term relaxation. It may produce short term results, but it rarely lasts, and the process can be mentally painful, to say the least. Instead, concentrate on enjoying the long term, daily actions that will create a healthier and freeing lifestyle. Rather than “trying to lose weight,” love the opportunity to become a new person, inside and out, and create new habits that will change lives forever. When we think like this, the negative pressure disappears, and shifts the focus from possible failure to probable success. Let go of losing weight. Relish the steps that will create a new future. Let go of knowing you have to eat better and exercise more. Embrace the happiness that will ultimately flow into your life.

Surrender to the process of every challenge, letting go of the pressures attached with results. When we try, we don’t. When we let go, we do!

It’s too easy to fall into the trap of rolling out of bed, going through our daily routine, and accomplishing nothing of true meaning. We may even wake up, focusing on what we want, yet never achieve anything due to the lack of commitment needed.

Wanting vs. Commitment to doing: Night-and-day difference!

Recently, I found myself walking along this same, simple, habit-formed path… working hard, yet resultless. The amount of hours I was putting in masked the fact I wasn’t achieving what I wanted. Something was missing from my daily equation. That “something” was a detailed, long term picture of what I needed the results to look like. I fell into the quicksand of hard work. The more I thrashed, the quicker I sunk. Long hours, staying up until 2 am, just weren’t going to be enough. I needed to refocus my mind on the picture I was trying to paint.

I WILL…

It looks like this…

We’ve all been taught that long hours will beget positive results. “The more I practice, the better I’ll play.” This advice is flawed. It’s true, we do need to work at our craft in order to improve, but more efficient practice is the key, and actually reduces the time needed to practice. Taking it a step further, when practicing correctly, we won’t be able to put in an over abundance of hours because we’ll be too fatigued, physically and mentally.

The most important factor in achieving anything out of our comfort zone will always be our mindset. What will we create from this day, and what are we willing to sacrifice in order to grab ahold? This detailed picture will ultimately affect and construct the long term result we’re searching for.

Make a conscious decision to commit to a detailed mental picture of your desired outcome. Before attempting to make improvements, this mindset must be locked in place in order to maximize your potential. Having a fuzzy, “it would be nice if” attitude will never allow your greatness to surface. Next level success lives in all of us, but it’s waiting for a specific path to walk along. It needs this passion and discipline to be visualized before it can materialize.

Tonight, when you go to bed, take a few minutes to see exactly what you’ll have in the future. Feel the sensations that come from achieving those goals. Make it real in your mind. When you wake up the next morning, repeat that mental picture, making it a habit of success.

Design a path for yourself. Don’t allow your day to be shaped by thoughtless steps. Take back the control you have over your passions! Paint a picture in your mind, and watch what the canvas gives you in return.

What is pressure?

Pressure: Verb
To force (someone) towards a particular end; influence.

Pressure: Noun
The exertion of force upon on surface by an object, fluid, etc.

Where, in any definition, does it say that pressure is a negative or something to be afraid of? We’ve been taught to believe that we must fear pressure; avoid it as much as possible. And if we DO face it head-on, we must do our best to “handle” or “deal” with it.

Last night on Twitter, I was asked what comes first… pressure or anxiety? For 99% of us, pressure is always first, as anxiety is the result of one’s definition of pressure. My goal as a teacher is to completely eliminate all anxiety and fear linked to pressure, simply by redefining the word. Pressure, and the emotion associated, are completely separate from each other.

Pressure’s simply a moment of potential consequence… a moment we’ve been taught to connect negativity to. Unfortunately, we’ve had years of unconscious linking, selling the “truth” that pressure is a naughty word. Why is it bad? Why do we look at these moments as times of potential failure?

Pressure is not an emotion. It doesn’t create a reflexive, physical reaction in our bodies. What causes this physical and emotional backlash is our mental reply to the pressure. Fear, anxiety, doubt, and hesitation aren’t synonymous with pressure, yet most connect them all, combing them in one lump sum.

Pressure is a point in time, giving us two options:

1) Embrace the potential positive outcome, understanding these times will ultimately define us.

2) Focus on the negativity that may or may not result.

It’s literally this simple.

I can name countless number of people who have fallen victim to the pressures of their specific situation. Why? Because they’ve allowed the imagined negativity of the moment to overtake their thinking. If, instead, they focused on the power and success that could result, maybe their outcomes would’ve been different. Concentrating on the “negative what-ifs” during stressful situations is instinctive and habitual. Our brain does this as a defense mechanism. It doesn’t want us to feel the pain of failure, so it focuses it’s attention on fighting it, ultimately making it manifest. By definition, a habit is something we cement into our unconscious by repeating over and over, so conversely, creating new habits must be accomplished in the same fashion.

Redefine pressure, and consciously engross yourself in the process of creating this new habit. Make these occasions of pressure work for you. They don’t have to make you feel anxious, scared, or doubt yourself. The 1% know how powerful these moments of consequence are, and only focus on the success of the situation.

Pressure… what does it mean to you?

During a recent playing session, I caught myself thinking about my past, almost as if time paused for a moment. As I was explaining how to take his strengths to the next level, I experienced a powerful flashback, taking me to a time where I needed the same advice.

I was born swinging the tennis racquet and making jump shots. At two years old, I was rallying over the net with my dad. Andre Agassi wasn’t doing that until he was five, to put it into perspective. Numerous articles were written about how I was going to be the “next huge thing,” etc. On the basketball court, I played point guard on traveling All Star teams from third grade on. My mom and dad handed me some wonderful DNA, to say the least. I had the physical talent to be top 10 tennis player in the world, and play college basketball almost anywhere in the country.

So then… why did I end up in junior college for a year?

The answer is why I created Coach Your Mind, and why I understand, so deeply, what my students are feeling: I never had a mentor guiding me, helping me see what could be if I pushed past my own comfort levels. There wasn’t anyone teaching me how to overcome the fears and doubts that paralyzed me. My ego was in charge at all times, never allowing me to feel free during competition. Sure, dad was always there, giving me good advice, but he was d-a-d… what did he know?!

My physical abilities were a gift, and helped me reach a high level, but that eventually ended! Raw talent wasn’t enough!

I needed a vision. I lacked the understanding of how powerful my thoughts and actions were. I needed someone who would push me further than I believed, or even wanted to go. My entire youth, I was told how good I was, which is great when it’s coming from family, but no one from the outside stepped in and kicked my butt to another mental level. My mind was focused, but wasn’t discipline. It could concentrate for long periods of time, but wasn’t expanded past mediocre beliefs. I never learned what it meant to separate myself from the pack; to become the 1%!

If I knew then what I know now… a statement I hate, and one I’m shedding from my daily thoughts. My biggest goal is to help my students never have to lean on that crutch; help them KNOW NOW!

Flash into the future, and look back on today. What could you have accomplished? How could you have pushed harder? What did you need to do in order to separate from the pack? Why aren’t you doing all of those things NOW?!

Don’t repeat my mistakes. Read this, think about it, and take action. You have an advantage I never had. Because of today’s technology, there are an unlimited amount of mentors for you to grab ahold of… you have no excuses! You’re not allowed to say, “If I only knew then…” You DO know.

Separate from the pack. Become the 1%!!

Next level success has reached a few of my students lately- almost at the same time. All time best scores have occurred, personal best records, and goals met that were once thought “unrealistic.” As I sit here writing, I think back to the days each one of them said things like, “It would be nice to become great, but it’s going to be really tough… maybe even too tough. I’m not sure if I have what it takes to achieve such lofty goals.” 

As I was thinking of topics to write about, I began focusing on lessons I recently had and personal battles I grind through daily. No matter the student or the issue I was having, it always came down to two simple, yet powerful words:

NOW WHAT?!

These two words changed my life. They made me look at every challenge through hopeful eyes. They gave me power, knowing I had the choice to take a stand. Now What only gives us two options… quit or fight, period!

I challenge you to stop at every crossroad and force yourself to look at those words. What are you going to do when you fall on your face? Will you stay down, hoping someone will lend you a hand, or take the risk and try again? How will you handle short term success? Will you let down and settle for what you already have, or parley it into bigger and better?

NOW WHAT?!

These words give you options. No matter your road blocks, you have two directions to choose from. What’s it going to be? Ask the question and find out.