Article Imagery- Part 1

In renowned Sport Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s book, Flow, Csikszentmihalyi describes an account of a 2 year POW who, within days of his release, goes out and plays one of the best games of golf in his life. To the astonishment of his playing partners, they ask him how he played so good. The former prisoner says that every day in his captivity he used to play 18 holes of golf in his head.

Imagery is a powerful tool and can be used to practice being mentally tough or playing in the moment so that when the game comes around you’ve been there and done that. In this article I will outline what imagery is and why to use it, I will then follow up in part 2 with how, when, and where to practice it.

Imagery is more than visualization, but visualization is part of imagery. Imagery is using the most powerful of your 5 senses (i.e., whatever is strongest for you such as sight and sound or sight and feel) to create the optimal performance inside your head. By going through the sights, feelings, or sounds of the game you are able to essentially re-create a real game experience in your head that allows you to be as successful as you choose. See yourself playing in your perfect place (described in previous posts) and having the outcome be success such as going 4 for 4 hitting, knocking down jumpers all over the court, or playing that perfect 18 holes of golf.
By doing this mental performance you are able to practice and see yourself in a controllable manner playing relaxed, confident, and successfully. You may ask, “well that’s not the same as actually practice, is it?” Well, in a way, yes it is. Although imagery is best combined with physical practice, the neural pathway from your brain to your muscles are the same whether you are doing a movement or just thinking about it.

Don’t believe me? Well then try this: grab a thin piece of string or key chain and attach something larger or heavier at the bottom. Hold the chain with your thumb and pointer finger and place your elbow on something immovable (such as the table). When you are calm and stationary, imagine that the large object at the bottom is going around in a circle. What happens?

The object moved because you were thinking it would! By simply imagining it you are creating it in the world. The same neurons from your brain that would create the movement still fire even when you only think about them. What is this saying about the power of our thoughts and images?

Understanding the power of our mind can allow us to unleash all its potential. How much of your game is mental? Well, here is your chance to practice the mental toughness elements I have laid out in the blog thus far.

This article was about what imagery is and why it is important, but I will follow up in another post with when, how, and where to do it.

Dream, believe, achieve and remember the power of the mind!

Article- What's Your Passion - Keep Swinging

What is your passion and where do you search for it? Without passion and love for a sport or task, what good is sport psychology? Mark Twain said it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but about the size of the fight in the dog. The fact of the matter is that sport and life are pretty boring without a sense of passion. We have to find it, connect to it, and run with it.

Watch this clip;


How many times do we lose our authentic swing? In sport and life it seems as if we are worried about the past, mistakes, fear, etc. Instead of focusing on what we are good at, we dwell on what we’re not.

Finding what you love and embracing it is the most powerful tool of all for performance, success, and happiness. Many times, in order to find that passion in our current sport or life we have to get out of our own way, relax, keep swinging, have fun, and play.

This site is designed to be a resource for you to get the most out of your passion, but in order to do that you must first find that passion. Without the love, acceptance, and freedom within to simply “play” there is a wall that hinders us in every aspect of our lives.

Sport psychology is nothing without your passion. Find it, harness it, relax, keep swinging, and go have fun.