HOW TO build your mental game with more CONFIDENCE?

Time to be tested

By Alan Brizee  (c) 2000  Author of The Path to Excellence and

       From Excellence to Success

This mental game test is in my first HOW TO book, The Path to Excellence.

      This test is to get you thinking about what you do while competing and if a few changes may be needed. It's also about FOCUS and your ability to finish what you start! If you're reading this, you may realize how important the mental game is. Building your confidence is easy, when you start seeing several events have better finishes. You may have noticed I changed the opening segment, so it has more impact if still thinking on improving your game. 

      You have 5 minutes each per half to finish the test and not one second longer 😊.

1. Goals - Setting both long- and short-term goals for motivation.

                  1 pt  = What's a goal?   

               2 pts= I don't have the time.

                3 pts= I set a goal for the season.    

              4 pts= I set goals once in a while.

                5 pts= I set a new goal after I accomplish one.             Points = ____

2. Practice - Work on physical game weaknesses and to be physical ready.

                  1 pt  = It won't help me. 

               2 pts= I don't have the time.  

                 3 pts= Practice 2 or 3 times each season.

               4 pts= Practice every other month.

                  5 pts= Practice at least every other week.                     Points = ____

3. Time - Allowing time to stretch and be mentally ready before match.

                  1 pt  = Arrive just before the match. 

               2 pts= Arrive during practice. 

                3 pts= Arrive just when practice starts. 

              4 pts= Usually show up early to practice.

                5 pts= Always early to get mentally prepared.              Points = ____

4. Attitude - Expect positive results one shot at a time. 

                  1 pt  = More negative than positive. 

               2 pts= Positive once in a while.

                 3 pts= Positive only during positive outcomes.

               4 pts= Positive during some negative.outcomes.

                 5 pts= Always positive, no matter what happens.       Points = ____

5. Concentration - Focus for the five seconds needed for great shots.

                   1 pt  = What do I focus on? 

                2 pts= I lose my focus easily. 

                  3 pts= Focus about half the time. 

               4 pts= Focus 75% of the time. 

                  5 pts= Focus 98% of the time.                                          Points = ____

6. Confidence - Your ability to make good shots in pressure situations. 

                1 pt  = I get real nervous before a match. 

             2 pts= I have won a few matches.

              3 pts= I have won several matches.  

             4 pts= I have won a local top amatuer title.

              5 pts= Won a professional title.                                           Points = ____

7. Adjusting - Ability to fine tune your game between shots. 

                 1 pt  = Not comfortable making adjustments.

              2 pts= Not sure an adjustment is needed.

               3 pts= Adjust only after bad breaks. 

                4 pts= Some confidence with adjusting.

               5 pts= Adjusting is my middle name.                               Points = ____

8. Pressure - Ability to relax when it matters the most.

                 1 pt  = Put too much pressure on me.

              2 pts= I handled it once or twice.

                3 pts= Thrown good shots every now & then.

              4 pts= It motivates me & helps focus.

                5 pts= It is just another shot.                                              Points = ____

9. Awareness - Avoiding negative thoughts and eliminating distractions. 

                  1 pt  = I feel sick from the negatives I faced.

                2 pts= Hard to think with all the distractions. 

                 3 pts= Some situations still bother me. 

                  4 pts= Most situations don't bother me.

                  5 pts= Nothing bothers me.                                              Points = ____

 10. Intimidation - Realization that opponents play mind games. 

                   1 pt  = Opponents mess with me all the time. 

                   2 pts= Half the time I get thrown off my game.

                  3 pts= A few times I was thrown off my game. 

                   4 pts= I rarely get thrown off my game.

                   5 pts= I'm intimidating them with great shots.           Points = ____

                                                                                       SUBTOTAL for 1st 10  Q's =  _____

Confidence Consistently Creates CHAMPIONS!

This half time show is brought to you by Prof. Stats and sponsored by Stats Plus!

Is there a Recipe for confidence? What do you think?

     Since some of you may be bored because you want to get going to have a better game, it's time to take a break. I just answered a question with a question. Recipe is by Webster's definition, not my NEW WORLD Bowling Dictionary's definition, it's a way to achieve something! Now the qustion is, what do you want to achieve? Not everyone will be able to say a world championship. It will depend on your age and whether you're just starting a sports career. Early in my sports career, it was to just have fun and take home a few awards. Now I just want to continue to have fun and shoot some GREAT scores every now and then. As a super senior, my confidence has helped my team win league championships! So, you know there is a recipe, I've included it!

     My recipe now is:

     1. Start with getting a quality night's sleep. 

     2. Add getting to the event early to check equipment and beat the heavy traffic in

         case something happens, so you don't feel rushed to compete. 

     3. Change the line-ups if needed. 

     4. Now I throw in having FUN when competition starts. 

     5. Anylysis results of my last shot. 

     6. Make correct adjustments when required. 

     7. Give tips to teammates as needed. And FINALLY

     8. Live with the results on the way home or back to the hotel if bowling a tournament! 

     On a good night which happens on average of two out of three times, I'll turn the volumn up listening to GREAT tunes on the way hoome!

      On the right is my scrapbook and I have some pics for what's inside. Many GREAT 

memories and shows how the mental game helped me achieve ALL THE GOALS I SET!

11. Pacing yourself - Keeping emotions even & not draining energy. 

                  1 pt  = I never get excited

               2 pts= I show no emotion during the match 

                 3 pts= Fist pumps all round is my usual routine 

                4 pts= I run shots out to keep it fun 

                5 pts= I show emotion to keep me energized                Points = ____

12. Preparation - Dress for success and arive early for practice. 

                 1 pt  = I just show up.

              2 pts= I show up to get equipment ready.

                3 pts= Get mentally set after I show up.

              4 pts= Get mentally set on way to the match.

                5 pts= I show emotion to keep me energized.               Points = ____

13. Pre-shot - Routine to keep you relaxed and focused for the shot.

                1 pt   = What's a routine? 

                2 pts= Had a routine that didn't help.

               3 pts= Forget routine when playing poorly. 

               4 pts= Use routine on most shots.

               5 pts= Use routine on all shots.                                          Points = ____

14. Post-shot - Evaluate & determine   adjustments when needed. 

               1 pt   = What did happen?

             2 pts= Is that what happened? 

               3 pts= Time for a tweak.

             4 pts= I know why it happened.

               5 pts= Threw a great shot, I'll throw one more.              Points = ____

15. Conditions - Variables that can effect your sport. 

                1 pt   = There are variables that can affect me? 

              2 pts= Playing in the wind sucks. 

                3 pts= Could you turn on the A.C.

              4 pts= Only focused under some conditions.

                5 pts= This is not my first rodeo.                                       Points = ____

16. Different shots - Having different shots or strategies, using your B game. 

                 1 pt  = I never heard about a "B" game.

              2 pts= Slowing my timing gives me options.

                3 pts= Speeding up timing give me 3 options. 

                4 pts= Giving it spin could work for 4 options.

                5 pts= Revolutions gives endless options.                     Points = ____

17. Offensive - Go for it all & grind it out during dificult conditions. 

                1 pt  = I didn't know golf had offense.

             2 pts= I never go for broke. 

               3 pts= Went for it once or twice.

             4 pts= Went for it several times in the match. 

                5 pts= Experience dictates decisions.                             Points = ____

18. Equipment - Using good equipment that is up to date. 

                1 pt   = Equipment I use was great 20 years ago. 

                2 pts= My 5 year old equipment works. 

                3 pts= You have to take care of equipment?

              4 pts= I cleaned it two months ago. 

                 5 pts= I check and clean it after each use.                  Points = ____

19. Financial - Managing money so you won't worry about paying bills. 

                1  pt   = Forgot about the $300 hotel room.

               2 pts= I donated $200 in this tournament.

                 3 pts= $100 in side action and now I'm broke.

               4 pts= A $50 match, so I don't go broke.

                5 pts= I'll use winnings from my last match.                Points = ____

20. Temper - able to not let little things bother me. 

                1 pt  = Threw golf club in lake

             2 pts= Broke golf club over caddie's   head 

               3 pts= Bent club by tossing it on the ground 

               4 pts= Kick things once in awhile 

                5 pts= Never ever lost my temper                                 Points = ____

                                                                                  SUBTOTAL for 2nd 10  Q's =  _____   

                                                                                                  TOTAL POINTS   =   ______

Confidence comes from a consistent mental game!

Got confidence? Well maybe I can help show you the way!

Recipe for confidence.

By Alan Brizee  (c) 2020 Author of The Path to Excellence and From Excellence to Success

     This is a quick reading assignment before you start the Confidence 101 online course!

     There are 27 ingredients or factors in my recipe for confidence. This recipe is for athletes who are bowlers, but maybe not so obvious, could be used for any sport. I’ll try to equate it for any athlete, but some explanations and examples will be bowling related. This will complement my book, The Path to Excellence, 31 Days to the Zone. My HOW TO book goes into some details, but of the 345 factors that affect the mental game, there could be a book for each factor. This recipe is to help that bought my book and understand certain factors better as I’ve went into more detail in this article.  Champions in any sport are confident athletes that are competitive. Confidence isn’t just for professionals. Amateurs can possess confidence while lacking a few skills to compete at the professional level. Experience plays a huge part as each event you participate in is another session to learn more about yourself and your sport. Experience is normally what separates pros from amateurs. The varied conditions, pressure and knowledge are the three biggest factors for the separation. Those of you that golf, know that the pros play on a course that is normally in great shape. Very few bad lies in the fairway, enough sand in the bunkers and the greens are faster. Very few city courses compare to what the pros compete on. The pro tennis players compete on grass, concrete and clay with each condition affecting the tennis ball a little different. I’ve played on concrete, so playing on grass and clay would be just a guess as what adjustment would be needed. 

      These 27 are listed in order with the next factor building on the total combination of all the previous factors. Once you have experienced and applied the entire group of 27 factors, your confidence level should have been raised at least one level. So, your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to read each factor and analyze how it can make your game better. You’ll not only be doing homework, but for a change of pace for those of you that know me, you’ll be tested at the end, and you will get a passing grade. The passing grade isn’t for knowing me, it’s for putting up with me for your thirst to become a better athlete.

      All this knowledge on being confident is what the pros experience each and every week when competing. Some of this very helpful info, you’ll already know about. There may be a few things you’ll learn and use after reading the entire article. Some parts will include tips to help you think about certain factors, so when you need to roll another great shot, you’ll step up and deliver it. After all is said and done, and when you’re asked if you thought it was possible, you’ll respond by saying, “I’ve worked on my game, and anything is possible.

If the door to victory isn’t locked, this was my time to open the door and walk through.”

      No matter how high your confidence is, positive events won’t happen every time. But with confidence, you’ll throw another great shot as you’ve done so many times in the past. With confidence, you’ll won’t hesitate to handle any situation. You’ll already know if any adjustments are needed, you’ll step up with in a relaxed state of mind, knowing that around 90% of these situations will be positive experiences. More positive experiences make it more fun and the reason to continue on your adventure for more great accomplishments. If you truly love your sport, you’ll want to improve to get the most enjoyment from competing in leagues as well as tournaments. 

      Confidence can’t be bought in a bottle. It won’t happen overnight, and it will take some work. Some of the work will cost money and of course, work takes time. Each factor has some detail as to why it’s needed to help your confidence. The more knowledgeable you are about these factors, the easier it is to excel. Once the excellence bug bites you, your confidence level should be fairly high. After getting the info on all these factors, your confidence level should be in the clouds J. And it should be at this time where success starts to happen. I’ve have said over one thousand times, success makes it fun. Success from your confidence, should help in cashing more weeks in brackets, when bowling league. Reality check. If you have had some success and your confidence level is at 2/3rds full because your scores are lower than normal, I’ll tell you where to get back some of your confidence later in this course. 

      And yes, there are several other ways to top off your confidence starting with the first ingredient:

 1. Practice                                    11.  Awareness                         21. Persistence

2. Equipment                              12. Adjustments                     22. Pressure

3. Positive attitude                  13. Determination                  23. Temper   

4. Goals                                        14. Enthusiasm                        24. Excuses  

5. Dream                                      15. Consistency                       25. Fear of failure

6. Fun                                             16. Believe                                  26. Knowledge

7. Exercise                                    17. Excellence                            27. Mental toughness

8. Concentration                      18. Routine     

9. Focus                                         19. Distrations  

10. Challenges                           20. Journal 

      After you finish all 27 sections, you can print up your diploma, to show you endured my writing skills and finished a mental game seminar.

Click on class subjects to go to that class!