Success is a Mind Game

When Tag Heuer said that Success is a Mind Game they were right. Athletes have, for years, used the technique of visualization to help them achieve peak performance. In fact, Jack Nicklaus, in his book Golf My Way, writes that he never hit a shot without having a very sharp in-focus picture of it in his head.

Simply put, visualization is using your mind’s eye to “see” yourself performing a task. Properly used, visualization allows you to effectively prepare yourself for a perfect round of golf. Scientific studies have shown that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation.

For example, let us assume that you have to make a crucial shot to make par and stay in the game. A natural reaction would be to dread and fear the shot. This leads not only to unnecessary anxiety but the added stress will become a self-fulfilling prophecy and result in you underperforming. The result is that the shot will be just what you had feared — a disaster.

Visualization is an effective tool that can help you achieve peak performance. It can be used in the preparation for competitions, the making of important shots, and the sinking of crucial puts. However, like the learning of any new skill, mastering the technique of visualization takes time and effort. Use it often and you can be assured of success in the long run.