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"Coughing and Spluttering and..."
Hello
Some people – when given the chance of a
lifetime step up to the plate and grasp the moment with two sometimes-sweaty
hands.
Others...
Seem to let the sweatiness get into their
brains cells and blow their moment of glory.
The good news is...
I know why this happens. It’s because they’ve
choked; I’ll explain:
The picture this week is one showing Jean Van
De Velde in his self-destruction journey to fame or infamy at the 1999 British
Open (golf) at The Carnoustie course in Scotland.
Jean had played brilliantly through almost 4
rounds of golf, 71 of the 72 holes, over 4 days. There he was stood on the 18th
tee on the last day with 2 shots in hand. He could take
six shots at the last hole – and still win. The hole was a par 4 and considering
he’d played it twice in the last 2 days in only 3 shots a time – 6 was an easy
proposition.
However...
He hacked his way down the fairway; into
rough, into water; into a bunker and managed to take 7 shots and tie with two
other players: Justin Leonard and Paul Lawrie.
They played a play-off and Paul won. Jean
lost! He’d blown it!
Why?
Because he choked!
Yes – and you and I have seen people ‘choke’
in many situations in life. A public speech; a song; a sports event; a business
meeting - the list goes on and on.
And why do they choke?
Well – it’s because they stop doing what they
do ‘naturally’ and start doing it - WITH TOO MUCH THOUGHT!
You’ll’ know the 4-stages of learning I’m sure
– but just for the sake of capturing them in this connection:
1.
Subconsciously incompetent – you don’t know you
don’t know
2.
Consciously incompetent – you DO know – you don’t
know
3.
Consciously competent – can do it but have to think
about it
4.
Subconsciously competent – can do it without
thinking
Jean (as others) when they play at their best
are at stage 4 – aware but allowing their natural rhythms to control so many
actions.
Jean (as many others have and will do ) moved
back to stage 3 and tried to control his golf-swing (Even Tiger finds this nigh
on impossible)
And away flew his rhythm; away flew his years
of practise and in flew the player he’d been as a learner.
And so...
When you face the challenge of glory – perhaps
you’ll recall a couple of things:
1.
The story of Jean and 1999 at Carnoustie
And...
2.
A quote by snooker legend Steve Davis:
“The true champion is the person who can play;
when it means everything; as though it means nothing!”
Let’s allow ourselves to be the brilliant
performers we are; safe in the knowledge that when we do – we’ll perform
brilliantly.
Go on then...
Peter Thomson
Editor and
Brilliant Publisher
tgiMondays
PS: comments, thoughts, ideas, puzzles or
laughter to:
peter@tgimondays.com |
