A pre-shot routine in golf is a specific set of steps before every swing: standing behind the ball and visualizing where you want it to land, stepping up to the ball, placing your right foot first, then your left, looking at the target, pressing forward to pull the trigger and releasing your swing.

Daily habits are like pre-shot routines - it sets up your day for success each time. It allows you to: stay target-focused, acknowledge your daily achievements, build self-confidence and generate positive energy.

Try these simple daily strategies that have worked for me:

• Review your goals
• Write out your daily intentions
• Write down your successes
• Look in the mirror and acknowledge yourself.

More ideas are available in Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles, or from Anna Christensen at www.inwardadventures.com.

Consistently taking actions to achieve a goal requires focus and a quiet mind. David Allen in Getting Things Done states the first step to clearing your mind is getting everything down on paper.

Here's what I do: I record my tasks on index cards, listing the first actions to take for each task. Each week I re-organize the index cards into priorities then make a list of the actions I will do that week. When I tackle an action I focus on it until it is completed then return to the list for my next action. If you want a real challenge, try the above but set a timer for an hour. See how much you can get done without any interruptions.

Commitments

When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.

Ken Blanchard,
co-author of The One Minute Manager

When you set a goal, it is a commitment. When you say you will do something, it is a commitment. You will no longer have to expend energy thinking about it. When you make a 100 per cent commitment to something, there are no exceptions. You simply get it done. If it does not work, then look back and ask: What did I learn? Use this information to move forward next time.

Several years ago I chose to commit to becoming an excellent golfer. To support that choice, I hired an amazing golf coach and have showed up for lessons every week for the past five years, rain or shine. After each lesson, I even stay and practice my sand shots, chipping and putting. My coach has taught me that great athletes don't only do what is fun, they also do what is boring to build their skills.

Perfecting Your Mental Game

I owe a lot of my golf success -- perfecting both the technical and mental aspects of the game -- to working with my coach. He has provided me with feedback to renew my motivation and gain clarity, thereby allowing me to stick to my goals. As I said at the beginning of the series, I am now on track to reaching my goal. In 2005 my handicap dropped by an amazing 5 points down to 13.5 and I am anticipating hitting my target by the end of the 2006 golf season.

Find a coach that fits your needs - someone to assist you with whatever game you choose to play. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself.

This concludes this series of articles. I hope they have assisted and inspired you to take your game to a new level.

Supporting your swing to success,

Jacque Small

Catalyst Business Coaching is a corporate development organization. It works with people who want to achieve a greater sense of success for both themselves and others in the organization. It supports people to develop strong interpersonal communication skills and build foundations to develop dynamic teams. Jacque Small, principal and owner of Catalyst, founded the company in 2000..

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