The Comfort Rut

By Jennifer Scott, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

You go out and buy some hot-shot new clubs. You're excited about what they can do for your game, but before you know it, it's the same old same old. Doesn't it bother you that no matter what you do, you always score about the same? Like it or not, you're trapped in The Comfort Rut.

Whether you score in the 80s, 90s or 100s, your level of play has become a habit. And habits get ingrained at such a deep level, you can't change unless you're willing to get out of The Comfort Rut. (Those of you who play in the 70's -- you still know what I mean.)

What's happened to you is that you identify with your handicap. Whatever it is, that must be who you are - what you are. Which means that if your handicap is going to come down, your mental attitude has to change. You have to start thinking differently. At first you might notice how uncomfortable it feels. For example, if you generally play in the high eighties or low nineties, notice how you feel when you start thinking of yourself with a 10 handicap.

You'll be uncomfortable because you've been in The Comfort Rut. You might not like the way you've been scoring, but it's what you've known - what you've complained about. You'll feel strange not complaining about the old stuff.

However, if you're consistent in these new, positive thoughts about yourself - if you repeat them over and over again (especially before you go to bed at night, when you're sleepy), your Subconscious Mind will start getting the idea that you've changed. Once your Subconscious Mind is persuaded of a new reality -- your body will follow your mind. Your game will begin to change - even without anything else changing.

How can this be? Because your Subconscious Mind operates only on Perception. Give your Subconscious Mind a new vision, a new reality, repeat it often enough, and your behavior will change - whether it's on the golf course or in your everyday life.

Change your thoughts. Change your reality. Get out of The Comfort Rut and "Own The Zone™"