If you are like most people, you probably took the opportunity to set some goals for 2012 right around the beginning of the year. You may have been so passionate and confident in your plans, that you share New Year’s resolutions with friends and family. Fast forward a month; it’s now the end of January. Have you kept your resolutions? If not, you are not alone. According to a recent study of 1,000 Americans, 98% of all resolutions to change unwanted behaviour fail. Wow!
I’ve helped many clients set goals for golf (and life in general) using a unique process called S.E.T.T.I.N.G. Goals. Once a goal has been established, I help clients to flag limiting beliefs; statements and feelings that the client holds to be true that will limit his or her ability to achieve the goal.
Here is how you can flag your limiting beliefs:
- Set a goal using the S.E.T.T.I.N.G Goals system
- Grab a notebook and a pen
- Read your goal and ask yourself “If I didn’t achieve my goal, why would that be?”
- Listen to all the answers that flood your thoughts and write them down!
These answers are your limiting beliefs. Whether or not they are true is irrelevant; if you hold them to be true they will impact your performance and derail your plans for success.
As an example, a golfer might set the following goal”
“November 1, 2012. I now carry a 5 handicap or better in golf”
When flipped around with the question “if I didn’t achieve my goal, why would that be?” , the golfer might write down
- I am a terrible putter under pressure
- I don’t have enough time to practice
- I can’t hit consistently straight drives
- I am not flexible enough
- I never achieve my goals
Limiting beliefs are flagged by words that are personal (I can’t, I’m not, etc.) and permanent (always, never, etc.). If these beliefs aren’t changed or challenged, there is no way that the goal will be achieved.
Once your limiting beliefs are identified, it is time to share them with your golf coaches. Your trusted team of professionals can help separate fact from fiction and provide instruction, coaching, and motivation to destroy your limiting beliefs and replace them with new beliefs that support your goals!
