We all know who they are. Those top performers that can be found in every sport and every organization. Those people who seem to be able to rise to the top no matter what obstacles they face along the way. They are the ones who consistently meet and exceed performance goals. How do they do it? Are they more intelligent than the average person? Do they possess some mystical abilities the majority lack? Or, have they just been lucky, always being in the right place at the right time. Success is not an accident, and is not restricted to only those who possess exceptional intelligence or gifted athleticism. Success is the result of deciding exactly what your goals are, and then focusing your actions so that you consistently move in the direction of those goals. The problem arises in the obstacles one encounters as they pursue their goals.
 
  The underlying equation of everything we do at the Performance Development Group is Performance = potential minus interference. Our research shows top performers possess a deeper understanding of themselves than that of the average person. They’ve developed the ability to minimize or even eliminate both outside and self imposed interference. Simply put, they “get out of their own way!”  The good news is the psychodynamic “habits” of top performers are all learnable. We’re all “wired for winning” however we aren’t always “programmed” that way. By making an effort to understand and incorporate sometimes paradoxical psychodynamic factors into your own approach to golf as well as your career and life goals, you will maximize your potential for success and exceptional performance.
 
  Top performers have developed the habit of positive thinking, while at the same time retaining the capability of recognizing the limitations and reality of every challenge and opportunity. That is, they seek out and are able to identify the positive aspects present in any challenge or problem, and focus their attention and actions around those positive aspects.  At the same time they remain aware of, and investigate, those things that concern them about the problem or challenge. As a result, they are frequently able to recognize and develop opportunity around, and in spite of, existing problems. Where others only see and focus on the difficulties, top performers seek out the opportunity that exists in those perceived difficulties. Or, as frequently happens, they discover that the perceived difficulties were in fact misconceptions or grossly exaggerated. In psychology, it is a well-established fact that the nature of your thinking will drive your perceptions and have an effect on the actions you take. This, in turn will have a profound influence on the outcomes you achieve. Quite simply, if you will make an effort to identify and focus on the positives as you confront any challenge, you will be more inclined to take positive action that results in a full and complete exploration of the problem and the opportunity that exists within that challenge or problem. Focus only on the negatives initially perceived, and you will never get past the point of seeing only the difficulties, and thus never see the opportunity. Many individuals let achievable goals fall simply because they had negative preconceived ideas or perceptions that prevented them from taking a positive, proactive, approach. In the end, it is balancing the “direction” of your thinking, positive vs. negative (eliminating interference,) not your athletic ability or intelligence level that is much more important in identifying and being able to take advantage of great opportunities that exist in every challenge you face.

Mr. Molden is a nationally recognized Performance Consultant / Sports Behaviorist and pioneer in the science and application of Psycho-ergonomics in both sport and business. He’s worked with, coached and interviewed hundreds of elite athletes, PGA Tour stars, top collegiate golfers, entertainers, high-profile business people and entrepreneurs. For more information about his Performance Development Group, visit www.Wired4Winning.com.