However, he told me that his game changed once he quit making deals with himself. Huh?

During a race or competition, he used to say to himself, “Keep up with [that guy] until this point and then let him go.” He admitted he wasn’t as sharp as he needed to be mentally. Now, during a race or practice, he’ll set goals, he’ll just say, “Catch that guy.”

How often do we make deals instead of goals? 

With our children, “Honey, if you pick up your toys, you can get a snack.” With God, “lord, if you get me through this, I will never…” With ourselves, “If you [do this] then you can [do this].”

Making deals is just like a coach who uses sprints as the only means of discipline. It works, but only for a short while, the athletes soon grow to tolerate it, and not learn from it. Making deals is effective, but only for the short-term. It gets the job done, but it is not sustainable and it causes really bad habits.

When we make deals, we are limiting how good we can become. Our motivation and focus has changed. We are doing something to gain an immediate result, not long-term success. Making deals also gives us an “out”, a reason not to push further when it gets really tough…

Setting goals means having a plan of action without a fallback. It’s stating, “I will do this”, instead of  “do this so you can.” It means keeping the focus on the immediate task at hand instead of focusing on the outcome.

Athletes don’t train for the trophy; they train for the feeling of holding the trophy. The only way to do that is to make goals, not deals.

“Good athletes practice until they get it right, great one’s practice until they can’t get it wrong.”

Author: Dr. Rob Bell is the owner. He works with athletes, coaches, and teams-helping them with their mental toughness. email at drrobbell@drrobbell.com or twitter @drrobbell 

Well, literally, I was robbed!

During my early morning swim at the YMCA, the aquatics director was soon standing over me letting me know my car was broken into.

Dammit!!

Now, my Mac Book, iPad, and video camera were all taken as part of this smash & grab job. BUT my thoughts immediately went to MY BOOK! Having worked on the book for the past year, it was quite a bit of time, effort, and money.

The Victim

I was upset, felt helpless, and even wanted to blame somebody for what happened. I went to all of these places the hours after this took place. But what really surprised me is the “feeling” that stuck inside my gut. I just felt “off.”

Quotes and mantra’s rattle in my head and a quote I have been sharing this past week is “The Variable is YOU.”  Since I help athletes, coaches, and teams perform better, I always want to be a product of my product.

The easier part for me about the break-in was getting over it. I could do that!

But, I actually wanted to use this obstacle as an opportunity…I don’t like feeling or acting like a victim. Winners don’t do that.

The only way I could have used this obstacle to improve was to be THANKFUL IT HAPPENED. Could I convince myself that this robbery actually was a blessing? Could I really turn my thoughts into  ”why NOT me?”  Did having my car broken into actually save me from getting in a car accident later on? Was it a HINGE moment? 

How many of us get stuck, unable to get over what happened to us?  Yes, it sucks, but don’t stay in the “I was robbed” mentality. Instead, let it go, but more importantly use the experience to mentally get better.

When I was able to make this acceptance a part of my growth as a person, everything changed that day!! Oh yea, we have to practice it on a daily basis. It is easy to be positive when things are going well, but the true test is not where we stand in times of comfort, but during times of struggle.

Turn your obstacles into opportunities.

Author: Dr. Rob Bell works with athletes, coaches, and teams-helping them with their mental toughness. email at drrobbell@drrobbell.com or twitter @drrobbell 

In the wake of immense devastation and tragedy, the spirit and pride of the Tuscaloosa community shined brightly. Immediately after the storm, the entire community united together to help everyone who had been affected. It didn’t matter what the job was, who it was for, or what it took because people were willing to do anything they could to help clean up and rebuild the city. In the days that followed the storm, the Tuscaloosa community taught me that it’s not the storms you experience in your life, but rather how you respond to them that defines you.

Do Your Worst!

My favorite scene in The Count of Monte Cristo is the Birthday Toast. In this scene, the Count of Monte Cristo remarks, “The boy’s reply to all of this was do your worst” as he toasts Albert for his display of courage when he was attacked and threatened by criminals. He then finishes the toast with this statement: “You must look into that storm, just as you did in Rome and say do your worst, for I shall do mine.”

This type of resiliency by a community is not an isolated example. Nearly two weeks ago, a different type of storm took place in Boston when the bombs exploded. This strength shown by the people in Boston made them a stronger city and now more people than ever will try to qualify for next years race. People have seen the worst a storm can do, and now they want to show it what their ‘worst’ looks like.

Life is full of storms and they come at the most unexpected times… We aren’t in control of the storms, but we are in control of our response. Whatever type of storm you may be experiencing, I hope that you respond with the strength and resolve that I witnessed in Tuscaloosa. Look at that storm and say ‘Do your worst’ because you know you can get through it and will be stronger because of it.

This article is dedicated to the victims of the April 27, 2011 storms. 4/27/11 Never Forget

About the Author: Will Drumright is an Associate of DRB. He works with athletes of all ages, especially good one’s. He can be reached at  wcdrumright@gmail.com or twitter  @wcdrummy15

The Greenbrier resort in White Sulpher Springs, WV, housed a secretive bunker that was built in the early 1960s. Located about five hours from Washington D.C., this

The Greenbrier

underground bunker actually became a part of U.S. defense. It was built to survive an indirect bomb strike, relying on the secrecy of its location and the West Virginia mountains for protection. If needed, it would have housed the entire Congress as a fallout shelter. This secret bunker lasted for 30 some years, only to be revealed in 1992.

The Bunker possessed three massive, blast-proof doors, each weighing over 20 tons. The doors were about fifteen feet high, thirteen feet wide, and 20 inches thick. Despite the enormity of these doors, it only took about fifty pounds of pressure to open and close them.

The reason one person could easily close these enormous doors was the hinge. The stronger the door, the more important the hinge, and the hinge used for the blast doors weighed 1.5 tons. Without the hinge, the massive doors would have been unmovable.

How often have we felt like that door? We felt confident, in control, at ease, and self-assured of what we are doing. We were as strong as the 29-ton door with amazing hinges. Other times, we have felt the opposite. We have been discouraged; lacked confidence, focus, or burnout from our passion. The door has not changed, it has remained strong. What has changed is the hinge…

The hinge is so integral to any door, cabinet, table, or bridge that, without it, these items become useless. The hinge is also crucial to our anatomy: hips, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles. No matter how strong our legs are, if we have a torn ACL, our legs are useless.

The hinge connects. We need the hinge. Connection is why we are here…

The hinge is real. The hinge connects. And it only takes one.  The hinge is moments or opportunities that make all the difference. We are the door, but a door without a hinge is a wall. Since we can’t know when a hinge will connect, it is our role to have mental toughness.

Jason Day made three consecutive birdies on the 13^th, 14^th, & 15^th. His tap-in birdie on the 15^th captured the lead (momentarily) by 2 shots. What happened next were tough back-to-back bogies on 16 & 17.

www.golf.com

He was honest afterwards and admitted that the pressure got to him. Pressure gets us out of our normal, automatic routine. If we even think “do what your doing, stay relaxed, etc.” we are already doing something different.

In golf, pressure makes fast players slow down and slow players speed up.

Jason Day, a fast player, became very deliberate in his pre-shot routine that he slowed down. You could now see him focused on his breathing and really visualizing his shot. He got out of his normal routine.

Adam Scott, the first Aussie winner of the Masters, provided the other mental toughness example. He made nothing with the putter all day long. His lone birdie at the 3^rd was the only birdie with his putter all day. He kept hitting great shots, and missing the putt.  Twitter even began to blow up with the jokes about his putting.

What he did however was he kept himself in it, hanging around, giving himself opportunities. He then made it when it mattered the most! The birdie putt on the 72^nd hole was iconic, and the birdie during the playoff on the 10^th was the finisher.

www.radiosport.co.nz

Never forget it only takes one! 

Now, Tiger Woods has Rory McIIroy.

The best simply do not want to share the limelight with anyone else. However, in history, across all of sports, the best also had a rivalry, someone pushing them to be better.

In the past two years, Rory has become Tiger’s rival. It is the main reason why Tiger has returned to greatness. Rory McIIroy claimed the #1 ranking and has since won two majors. Tiger’s previous major was back in 2008. Tiger was golf for Nike. Now, Rory shares the Nike sponsorship and headlines.

Lets face it, no one else has been able to serve as a threat to Tiger. Tiger’s greatest competition was himself…The closest, Phil Mickleson, was more of a media created rivalry to Tiger much more than their actual competition on the course. They were also complete opposites in terms of personality.

Rory on the other hand, IS Tiger. When Tiger looks at Rory, he sees a younger him, confident, talented, and driven. It is this rivalry, which has propelled Tiger to reclaim his spot as the #1 golfer.

I have always maintained that Tiger will break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors. I could be wrong, but the presence and success of Rory McIIroy has re-ignited that drive and passion for Tiger to be the best golfer in the world.

In order to be the best, you have to beat the best…. This is a quote we’ve heard throughout the ages. It is true that we should compare ourselves to who we were yesterday and examine if WE are on the path toward improvement.

However, when we examine the BEST in history, they had one thing in common, a rivalry.  Who is your competition that drives you to be better?

Photo: Blogs.golf.com

Dr. Rob Bell is the author of Mental Toughness Training for Golf, an AASP certified Sport Psychology consultant, and caddy on tour. He consults with athletes, coaches, and teams at all levels helping build and enhance their own mental toughness.  His website is www.drrobbell.com and you can find him on Twitter @drrobbell,

“Keep up, clean up & shut up”

Caddying is all about timing. The best have an awareness of when to speak up and when to stay silent. They often know what their player is thinking and can even anticipate a response before a question is asked. Most importantly, a great caddy isn’t afraid to make a mistake.

“There is a reason why their name is on the bag”

A caddy is still perceived like a head coach because he/she is only as good as their player. But two of the absolute best that I know are Paul Tesori and Joe Skovron. They have played golf at the highest level, have caddied for winners on tour, and prepare better than anyone else.

A great caddy is like a sponsor in A.A. It is built upon a mutual relationship of trust and is also 100% confidential. The best aren’t afraid of calling out their player if they are not preparing the right way, abandon game plans, not committing to shots, or getting in their own way.

“We shot 66, he shot 74” 

The bags are never heavy shooting a 66, but they can get weighty when the player is not playing well. In fact, the toughest part is often removing oneself from the actual score and not getting caught up in what the player is doing. The player himself can ride an emotional roller coaster, so staying positive, calm, in-control, and un-emotional at all times is huge.

“Every shot counts”

I am constantly reminded the importance of every shot! But, once my player 3-putted the last hole of a PGA tournament, which cost him a top-25 finish and $21,000. Ten percent of that amount, my cut, is more than I have ever attempted at gambling in my life.

If you really want to play consistent golf, manage your game by managing your mistakes. After each round, you should look at your statistics a bit deeper than your typical fairways or greens hit, but not as deep as strokes gained putting.

2012 US Open champion, Webb Simpson, and his caddy, Paul Tesori, have a specific system that examine their own play. It’s quite simple; they look at four statistics that show where they are making mistakes….They know that the person who makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.

After every tournament, they look at the following four statistics:

1)   Three-putts

2)   Bogeying any par-five

3)   Bogey from the fairway <8 iron

4)   Double bogey

They have deemed that any of these mistakes is like giving shots back to the field that they cannot afford to make. Assessing their play in this fashion also helps direct their practice, and/or game strategy.

If the goal is consistency, are you managing mistakes in your own game?

Dr. Rob Bell is the author of Mental Toughness Training for Golf, an AASP certified Sport Psychology consultant, and caddy on tour. He consults with athletes, coaches, and teams at all levels helping build and enhance their own mental toughness.  His website is www.drrobbell.com and you can find him on Twitter @drrobbell,

In essence, if the team and coaches enjoy your work, they will freely offer you team gear and swag. I LOVED IT! I have lived by this mantra, although I thoroughly enjoy fresh warm-ups, lids, and jackets. I have a passion for supporting and helping the various teams I work.

Here’s the deal, if you want to know your effectiveness, let the coach get your size and outfit you. I have come to associate that a coach that freely gives you “gear” means he/she wants you to be present and a part of the team. It is a small, yet important, token of appreciation and a rite of passage.

You’re receiving monetary compensation as well (you should be if you’re not), so it doesn’t necessarily mean a coach that doesn’t “outfit” you appreciate you, but it does go a long way.

What are small ways that you feel a part of the organization or team that you work with?

1)     Be confident. It’s the most important skill. You have worked hard in the gym and taken care of your body through proper nutrition leading up to try-outs, so feel confident and let it show. Even in the warm-ups and practice areas, really dance with expression, energy and personality. Bring the choreography to life and above all else, enthusiasm. Stand where you can see and be seen without muscling your way to the front and being disrespectful to those around you.

2)     Focus on The FUNdamentals! Have fun and enjoy the try-out. The FUN of it is why you began to perform in the 1^st place. If you find you are nervous then begin by practicing simple techniques. The Fundamentals…Those simple steps performed well will elevate your confidence allowing you to attempt the double or triple that may be required later.

3)     Routine, Routine, Routine. Have a routine during every audition that helps you get centered and focused. Practice this routine when you prepare as well!  Practice what you’ll wear, when you’ll arrive, where you’ll put your stuff, the items you may or may not need (e.g. extra hair bands, dance shoes, etc.)

4)     Set Goals, NOT Expectations. Strive for success by setting goals but don’t set expectations. Expecting “to make it” puts your mind in a time and place in the future. Goals are based on aspects in your control. You need to be present and in the moment during the audition.

5)     It is OK to make a mistake. It’s a long try-out and mistakes happen, but what makes all the difference is HOW you recover from the mistake. Don’t highlight your mistake in the moment by saying “sorry”, making a face, or even stopping. Smile, and move on. It simply says you understand your error and can even show that you are a fun person with a good nature and could make a good teammate.  Don’t revisit the mistake either, focus on what’s coming up, not what is behind.

6)     Be a Good Teammate. It’s a try-out, but show everyone and yourself that you can be a good teammate. Be gracious and courteous. You are being judged even when not on stage. Your interactions with the judges, other participants and dancers will be taken into consideration. Say “THANK YOU” after the audition in person if possible or with a written note. No matter what happens, have a smile on your face!

7)     Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain. Focus on the audition as an opportunity, rather than it being a threat. If you are worried about what is at stake, how you look, or how you might perform, then you will get nervous. However, if you focus on the audition as “something good can happen”, you’ll get excited. Don’t lose faith in yourself, always move forwards with faith not fear.

We want you to do well and you want to do well. Cheer everyone on for a successful audition!

About The Author: Sean Bartram B.Sc (hons.), MBASES is owner of Core Pilates and Fitness (www.corepilatesandfitness.com) and head trainer to the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders. A professional soccer player on 3 continents, PMA certified Pilates Instructor, Member of the British Academy of Sports and Exercise Science and has contributed to numerous fitness publications.  Follow him on twitter @CorePilatesLLC or at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Core-Pilates-and-Fitness.