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Practice
is often regarded as either a mundane or grinding kind of
activity and is almost always reluctantly done as a “have
to.” In reality, if we really want to improve our games, practice
should be a “want to.” Practicing for a higher purpose takes
the “have to” and turns it into a “want to” by transforming
the fear of change into a process that is exciting.
While
practicing a new skill, particularly a mechanical skill, combine
it with something else of a higher value. This could be a
behavior, an attitude, a desire, or some life skill that you
would like to improve. The area of higher purpose may correlate
to the physical element or not be related at all.
Examples:
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Mechanical
Skill
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Life
Skill
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1.
Slowing down the transition of my swing.
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1.
Being Patient with myself.
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2.
Improving my grip.
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2.
Having more fun playing golf.
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3.
Keeping my head "back" at impact.
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3.
Not getting ahead of myself with my dreams.
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Before
every swing or shot say to yourself, “ I am practicing ____for
the purpose of____.
For
example:
1. I am practicing being patient in my transition for the
purpose of being patient with myself while pursuing my work
goals.
2. I am practicing my grip for the purpose of having more
fun on the golf course.
3. I am practicing keeping my head behind the ball at impact
for the purpose of living in the present moment.
This manner
of practicing is valuable for two reasons. First, you will
put greater intent and care into every swing if you are practicing
for something that is of higher value to you. Second, you
are reminding yourself constantly of the change in your life
that you desire. Thus, you are taking action on both things
simultaneously.
Practicing
for a higher purpose is essentially placing a “spiritual”
intention behind a physical motion. This combination is very
powerful because it puts greater energy into your actions
and fortifies your commitment to change. As a result, not
only is the process accelerated, both areas of change become
permanent as well.
©
Melissa Whitmire 2001 Happiness in Golf
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