Overcoming the challenge of the mind

Sometimes the issue is within ourselves

Determining the difference in each and creating a way to win
Overcoming an obstacle; getting from point A to point B; with each person you give a lesson to, isn’t that what you are helping your student to overcome?

Some obstacles are physical while other obstacles are mental. Often the biggest challenge is determining which obstacle it is. Even baseball legend Yogi Berra had a challenge with distinguishing the two as he said, “Ninety percent is mental and the other half is physical”.

For the purpose of this article, we are classifying the physical obstacles as minefields and the mental obstacles as mindfields. Let’s explore each as well as share ideas of how to overcome them.

The minefield described in a book on military tactics or viewed in a war movie is a physical item containing a powerful explosive. A series of mines are hidden in the pathway to stop a person or vehicle from getting to that point B. The mines are covered so they cannot be seen and are plentiful in the hope one of them will be triggered to blown up and destroy the vehicle or kill a person.

The first person into the minefield has a job of detecting and marking the location of each mine. They are using technology, specialized training or a trained dog to help them find the individual mines. Successfully done, this first person crosses the minefield.

The task of crossing the minefield is much easier for subsequent individuals. These individuals observe where the first person has placed markers to note the locations of the mines. They follow the footsteps and markers to cross in areas that are clear of mines.

However, the chance of survival is only as good as the first individual to be able to find and mark all the mines, and the subsequent individual’s ability to follow the guidance of the first person.

The mindfield does not present itself so clearly. We should first look at what the point B is and then determine if its attainable or should be attainable.

While each of us have boundaries of what we can dream and what we can achieve, an old Turkish proverb states, “A fool dreams of wealth while a wise man dreams of happiness.” As a bit of motivation, recognizing something is impossible is the first step in making it possible.

For any mindfield to be overcome, we recognize there are 15 components we suggest you evaluate as you defeat the mindfield.

This starts with being passionate.  (Component #1) As the expression goes, “do you want it so bad you can taste it?” Does the desire to succeed burn within you?  If you can connect with being passionate, many of the remaining components will fall into place.

Whatever it is you are to overcome, do other people see your passion? Do others say, “if there is anyone that can do it, you are that person?” Being that person indicates you have connections with other people. (Component #2) As these people ask how you are doing with the challenge, encourage them to continue to ask you about your progress. See their asking as a renewing of your passion toward achieving the goal.

Receiving these questions and encouragement means you should be a social individual (Component #3). While the social aspect adds toward your being renewed, being social is going to make your challenge enjoyable. Think of yourself climbing a rock wall. Having individuals encouraging you and applauding when you reach the top is going to make a challenge much more enjoyable simply because of those being a part of the task with you.

The social individual will recognize that there are few things you can achieve entirely on your own. In every physical endeavor, the participant has individuals who are there to help them succeed. Have a team (Component #4). As a golf pro, you are a major part of the team of every one of your students.

Looking at those who utilize your skills as a teacher, you likely have a strong appreciation for those who are intense and fierce in their efforts to learn (Component #5). Likewise you may find it difficult to put your full efforts into the individual who approaches learning in a very lackadaisical manner.

Being social and having a team provides benefits to you, and it should provide benefits to those around you. Your accomplishment can, and should be inspiring to those observing your work in overcoming your mindfield.(Component #6)

While it may seem otherwise, you are not the only person facing a mindfield. In fact, the only person not facing a mindfield is either deceased or is very complacent in their approach to life. Most likely you can not be of help to either. However, the overwhelming majority of us are facing one or more mindfields.

The way you conduct yourself as you face your mindfield can be an example to others. You can be supportive of others along their journey through their mindfield (Component #7)

As you read this article you may have a particular challenge in mind; be it one you are currently working on or one that has been a part of your life for a long time. Take a moment to make a list of the many challenges you have taken on in your life. Just how sizable of a number is this? The larger this number is means the more you have decided to step up and challenge the norm. Life does begin at the end of your comfort zone.

Looking at the number of challenges, how many times have you been successful and how many times have you failed?  The failures with these mindfields are only failures when you have given up trying to get to success. If a failure causes you to reexamine the mindfield and from that you decided to try again, this was a good failure. Your mindfield needs to have had a combination of successes and failures (Component #8).

If all of your attempts at overcoming the mindfield results in success, you are probably not taking on enough challenges. Think about playing on a course where you always excel. Just how good would you become? Definitely not as good as when you play on a course that is challenging to you.

Recognizing that in your life you are not going to get to the point where all of your mindfields are overcome, you should make sure you have plenty of realistic and unrealistic mindfields before you (Component #9).

There are multiple details that in addressing your mindfield you should be attentive to. The first of this group is your being analytical in the why and how the mindfield exists (Component #10). Often times the solution to the mindfield is found within your analysis by finding the “defective component”.

Your addressing the mindfield will find success in understanding and carrying out the basics of technique. Look at those you teach; as you improve their game, isn’t it accomplished by improving how they approach the basics? (Component #11). Your mindfield should be addressed in the same manner.

“Not to decide is to decide.”

“Paralysis by analysis”.

While both these quotes are applicable for some people, approaching a mindfield with the intent of making a decision (Component #12) is going to get you to a solution. A teacher once commented, “I cannot help if all you have is a blank piece of paper.”

Approaching your mindfield is going to be more fulfilling if it includes a sacrifice on your part. As an example, our son was saving money to pay for an engagement ring. Along the way, he asked about a small 401k he had from a job he had one summer and using those funds. The suggestion given was that the ring and the experience of giving the ring would mean more to both of them if he were to sacrifice.

(Component #13) Stop that special expenditure you treat yourself to; take on a side assignment that will earn extra money. When the ring is paid for, you will appreciate your efforts and sacrifices.

Component #14 is a lesson learned from the movie, Smokie and the Bandit. Jackie Gleason played the part of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, who met so many challenges in his efforts to arrest Smokie, played by Burt Reynolds.

There is a scene where another challenge has stopped his. Buford takes off his hat, slaps it across the dash of his wrecked car and says, “Junior, sometimes I can’t believe the crap that is happening to me.”

This is an expression this writer has used many times when addressing his mindfields. Just as I have been surprised by a solution not working, or some aspect of the mindfield I was not aware of or did not think of, I have to see this as a temporary defeat or a moment which causes me to find a sidestep toward the solution.

The scene in the movie was funny and remembering it causes me to repeat his saying to myself. Now it is time to make that change or take a sidestep.

When are you going to start to address the mindfield? That very thought is component #15. Deciding when to start is the greatest challenge to solving your mindfield. Be “now”. Go forward by writing out your mindfield and everything you know about it. Then make a decision about your mindfield and begin to work. A win is a short distance away.

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