The Power of Normalizing
Anne Alexander
Copyright 2005 Anne Alexander
Even if you don’t follow golf, read on for an amazing story about the power of normalizing.
Hilary Lunke had been on the professional women’s golf circuit for only two years after graduating with a Masters in Sociology from Stanford University. In 2003, she had to play two rounds in the days preceding the US Open just to qualify to play since her cumulative scores didn’t automatically qualify her. She qualified by just one stroke.
Amazingly, on July 7, 2003, Lunke became the 2003 US Open winner. She won over $500,000, which was over $225,000 more than the 2nd place finisher, whom she beat by one stroke.
How did she pull this off? In her interviews it seemed the key factor was that she normalized each shot in her mind, taking the pressure off. What is normalizing? It’s making a situation or activity seem ordinary rather than extraordinary. If it’s something we’re familiar with, we’re usually less intimidated by it.
So Lunke did not say to herself on every shot that she had to do great since so much was riding on this, don’t screw it up, etc. She reported, “I kept tricking my mind saying you're just playing golf, you're just playing golf, another day of golf, the way you always do it.” With the power of normalizing, Lunke catapulted herself into the top ranks of women golfers and changed her life forever.
Don’t make your next challenge bigger than it is. You’ve done all kinds of things in your life: normalize it. Keep going, play by play. And someday you’ll win your US Open.
About the author: Anne Alexander is a coach who works with business owners, executives and professionals as their strategic partner to grow their business or career, improve their effectiveness and reach their goals. For Anne's free, popular 8 part e-course "Maximize Your Professional Success," send a blank email to mailto:maximize@authentic-alternatives.com or visit http://www.authentic-alternatives.com
The latest information and news on Golf:
Crocs, Inc. announced today that its new Crocs? Golf with Hank Haney collection was selected as one of three overall ?Best New Products? at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, Jan.
Golfer Injured by Golf Club: A Fan's Take
One of the things I have always liked about golf is that it is a non-violent game. You ride the caddy up and down the green; shoot the breeze with your friends, play your holes and go home smiling. There is no need to worry about someone tackling you from behind like a freight...
PGA highlights jobs, employment services for Jobs in Golf Month | PGA | PGA.com
The PGA of America's 11th Annual Jobs in Golf Month takes place throughout the month of February.
Golf caucus pushes for green-fees tax break
An all-party golf caucus is lobbying for businesspeople's golf games to be added to the list of federal tax-deductible hospitality expenses.
Golf: Ko excited about NZ Women's Open
It has been a whirlwind few weeks for 14-year-old Lydia Ko and the golfing prodigy is still getting her head around becoming the youngest ever winner of a professional tournament.Ko, who finished as the leading amateur at the Australian...
Kyle Crabtree Wins Disc Golf's Chainbanger Club Member Drive in Seattle
The Chainbanger Club Member Drive took place in Seattle, Washington on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Seatac Disc Golf Course. There were 28 disc golf players who came out to compete on this incredibly beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest with some rare sunny skies.
Golf's Most Exciting (and Loudest) Hole--WMO's #16. A Fan's Review
TPC Scottsdale's 16th hole on the Stadium Course isn't the longest part three on the PGA Tour. Nor is it the shortest, or the easiest or even the hardest. But ask just about any pro and they'll tell you it's one of the favorite holes they'll play all year.
Stabbing in golf fight could cost man use of leg
A man who was stabbed during a fight on a Texas golf club could lose the use of his leg as a result, The Star-Telegram of Fort Worth reported.
SAN DIEGO GOLF TOURNAMENT FEATURES ELITE COLLEGE FIELD
Golf is the one sport for which you can gather all five of the college men?s teams in town, put them on the same playing field at the same time, and let them battle it out for city bragging rights.
Golf-Mum tells Westwood to say sorry for swearing
DUBAI, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Lee Westwood was forced toapologise after his mum caught him swearing on live televisionat last week's Qatar Masters, the world number three said onTuesday. The incident occurred during the 38-year-old Briton'sclosing 69 on Sunday, a round that left him in a tie for 12thplace behind tournament winner Paul Lawrie who finished on15-under-par. "My mum was the first person ...