Knowledge is power and sometimes why champions keep winning. Experience comes from knowledge and the champions knowledge helps them make intelligent decisions when the match is on the line. Stress and pressure, are the reasons to know how each factor determines winners.
The following are just a few factors that can determine your success:
Ability, Accuracy, Adjustments, Adversity, Alcohol, Arrogance, Attitude, Awareness, Burnout, Challenges, Character, Choking, Coach, Committed, Concentration, Conditions, Confidence, Consistency, Courage, Crowd noise, Dedication, Distractions, Effort, Emotions, Enthusiasm, Equipment, Excuses, Expectations, Experience, Finances, Fitness, Focus, Fun, Goals, Injuries, Intimidation, Journal, Killer instinct, K.I.S.S., Knowledge, Learning, Mental condition, Mental toughness, Mood, Motivation, Nutrition, Offense, Pacing yourself, Post-shot, Practice, Pre-shot, Pro Shop, Preparation, Pressure, Priorities, Referees, Resilience, Risks, Routine, Schedule, Self-talk, Sleep, Slumps, Statistics, Sudden death, Surroundings, Temper, Timing, Training, Transition, Trash talk, Tunnel vision, Visualization, Weather and work.
There are 270 more factors covered in the book.Some factors may not influence your ability to perform, but knowing what they are and how to deal with each one, can make you mentally stronger.
If you have questions, Contact Alan.
HOW MENTALLY TOUGH ARE YOU? TAKE THE TEST!
This is the mighty Mental fitness I.Q. test for your entrance application to the College of Mental Toughness. There are no wrong answers. The points you score from each will show how mentally strong you are. 99% will be below 96 and have work to do. This is really not an actual test. It should show the areas you can improve in. Should you score less than 10 points, it's time to punt!!
This test is in my book and has gone through a few minor changes. It isn't in a grid like test form because of the the software used.
Time to be tested to the max. The 20 answers have points from 1 to 5. You should answer them as closely to to the answers listed to give you a better understanding of where your mental game is at. Add up all 20 points to give you your total points. The answer curve follows. Take the test before beginning any mental workouts and then retest after reading my book, The Path to Excellence. in 31 days, to show how your point totals go through the roof.
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= Set a new goal after I accomplish one. ________ _________ _________ Points = ____
2. Practice - Work on weaknesses and to be physical ready.
1 pt= It don'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 get enough 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 = ____
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 = ____
_______ Time to add up all your points: ____________ TOTAL POINTS = ______
Now you can grade your Fit IQ test. Remember this test is just for fun and to get you thinking more about what level your mental game is at. Your score will any indicate what level your mental game is at. Very few will score above 95, so that's means that practice, work and experience during competition should be your future plans to succeed.
97-100. Everyone says you’re the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time). You know all the side streets to the zone. You even know the zone’s zip code.
80-96. Your experience put you in the top 10% of athletes. Post match evaluations should reveal the few areas of your game that need work. This is where over Half of those in the Hall of Fame are. You're close to showing your full capabilities.
65-79. It’s just a matter of time after working on your mental game that titles and championships will come your way. Work on your confidence by taking the Confidence 101 class online.
50-64 points. You’re above average which is good, but to be great you have more work ahead of you. Show others that a little work makes competing more fun as scoring higher has it's rewards.
30-49 points. You show potential and your dedication will be rewarded as you work on areas that need help. Nobody said sports would be easy. Putting in some work will show inprovements shortly.
0-29 points. Don’t give up your day job. Thank god you’re willing to improve and motivated enough to put the work in.
After the 31 days of reading The Path to Excellence, you should see dramatic improvement in your game. Your goal to score above 64 shows dedication and your wiliness not to be just kicked around in your sport. Scoring 65 or better will get people to notice your improvement.
I score in the 90’s. Remember, I wrote the test and have seen a mental coach. Whatever you score, it’s about having fun while you’re competing and learning about you and the sport you compete in. Notice all the 5 pointers that use the ONE SHOT mentality, as this is what you’ll need to compete at any level in your career. It is ONE SHOT over and over and over again to become one of the best in your sport. These daily lessons will show what to focus on and how much your ONE SHOT means in your sport.
Scoring in the 80’s or above means you know what the mental game is about, but there’s always room for improvement.
Have fun on your adventure and see you in the zone!