In order to become your very best in anything you do, you’ll need to have a vision for it. If you can see it in your mind, you drastically increase your chances of achieving it.
When I first start working with a new student, I want to know what their “vision” or dream goal is in golf. In this lesson, for a very good reason. Let’s take a look at why this is important.
Why have a vision?
Whether it’s for the upcoming round or 5 years from now, your vision allows you to take a look at who you want your future self to be.
A clear vision will:
- Help you decide who you want to be
- Give you motivation to put in the effort to become that player/person
- Make you focus on what matters most
- Increase your belief that you can become it, and
- Increase your resiliency to deal with the inevitable challenges ahead
Purpose Matters
You stand a much better chance of becoming your vision, when there is meaning behind it. There will be a lot of setbacks along the way and without the power of purpose, the pain from setbacks will always win. Goals with purpose stand the test of time compared to goals that are based on status or ego.
I’d like to share my process for creating a vision for your long-term, dream goal in golf. This is not about finding something safe to aim for, this is about doing something extraordinary. Write down your answers to these questions first and then work on building your vision in your mind. It might take time for you to have a detailed vision, but having a simple vision is better than having no vision at all.
1. Write down your dream goals as a golfer
What does this look like to you? Create the defining moments in your mind of you achieving those goals. This will take some practice (visualization is a skill), but try to make the vision as vivid as possible. How does it make you feel? What are you wearing, etc.
2. Ask yourself “why do you want this?”
What purpose does achieving this goal serve in your life? Life is short and time is precious, so you have to make sure that this endeavor is loaded with purpose and will make you satisfied, whether you achieve your goals or not. You have to love the process and what you will get out of the journey, more than you do your arrival at your end goal.
What do you really love about it? How will you grow as a person? Does this goal align with your personal values?
3. Take a look at your future self
- What skills do you have?
- What are the characteristics of the player/person you will become? Describe them with words and then visualize what you are doing in your vision to express them
- What are the specific goals that you will achieve?
- What is the effort you will need to put in?
4. Understand the challenges
A vision isn’t about convincing yourself that your achieving your goals is going to be easy. Assuming that your vision is bigger than the player you currently are, you are going to face challenges and discomfort along the way.
You will have to push yourself hard and there will be difficult times. Think about what challenges, obstacles and setbacks that you could face along the way and how you will tackle them. If you’ve really identified what it is you are working towards and believe in the meaning of it, you will overcome any challenge and setback and keep persevering. Your vision can also help you prepare and deal with them when the time comes.
5. Make your “vision” part of your routine
The greatest athletes of all time, spend time visualizing your goals. Make it part of your morning daily routine.
6. What is the gap you must close?
Now it’s time to get to work closing the gap between where you are now and your vision. Your vision can tell you what you are currently lacking so you can create a game improvement process and short-term goals to develop those skills. Break these things down into small pieces and take daily action on them improving them.
Thanks for listening. Go through this exercise for as long as it takes to develop your vision clearly. I promise you it will be a very worthwhile exercise – once you have it, you’ll be surprised at how much quicker you move towards it.