When Will This (BLEEP) Disappear?!

I got a call from a student the other day, asking when his negative (bleep) will go away. He was obviously hoping I'd give him an exact date, but all I could tell him was, "IT WON'T!"

The way he'd been approaching his mental game to date was working hard on his physical skills. His thinking: Strong physical = strong mental. Sure, he'll add a bit of confidence by improving his physical game, but it will be short-lived, with nothing to glue his long term game together.

He's a college golfer, but we don't have to be athletes to live the following advice: Changing anything means creating new habits... period! If we wait for the change to magically appear, we'll be waiting forever. We all know this fact, intellectually, yet most of us still tend to sit and hope for the new to appear.

If we want to make it happen... then go make it happen! Create a specific plan, take massive action, and create results. Even if the outcome isn't exactly what we want, at least we got off our butts and did something about it.

Undesired results are better than no results, and pull us nearer to our goals! The most successful people understand that failing draws them closer to the solution. This "failure" is only short term, and is necessary to fully understand what's needed for long term success.

Make it happen, even if IT doesn't turn out exactly how you planned. Eventually, it will.

Mind First, Body Second!

Today I want to touch on a topic that's very passionate to me, and is the foundation for everything I teach: The mind is in control of everything our muscles do!


Recently, I was being debated by a physical specialist in his field, trying to convince me that our muscles need to be trained before the mind can trust them. He couldn't be more backwards! Our muscles can't do anything without permission from our brains, either consciously or habitually. I agree, our muscles need the proper training for any physical change to take place, but what we tell them as they're being trained will dictate that future change.

This trainer believes that correct mechanics dictate all physical success, which at a very basic level, seems correct. "If I train my muscles hard and long enough, they'll do what they're supposed to..." The problem with this assumption, is the lack of pressure placed in the equation, and how it affects our muscles. No amount of physical practice can keep our bodies from tensing up under pressure if our minds don't come to the rescue. Our brains, through different techniques, send messages to the muscles which help them perform to their potential. Without learning these specific techniques, our muscles (no matter how many hours we practice) will tighten up and break down during extreme pressure.

The mind is in control of everything our body does, including involuntary heart rate and breathing. When properly trained, the brain can also control those. To preach muscle first, mind second, is irresponsible teaching at least... completely ludicrous at worst. I'm a huge advocate of physical training and mastering our bodies, but never at the expense of learning the power of our minds.

People instinctively have a difficult time with this concept, mainly due to lack of knowledge. We've all been taught: "Want to become a better athlete, workout and master your mechanics. Want to lose weight, exercise and eat healthier. Want to improve grades in school, study more."

Rarely, if ever, do we hear: "Practice creating new thoughts, work on developing new habits, and practice visualizing what you want to achieve!"


Our minds are the key to success, not our muscles. Our bodies definitely play an important role... but they're not the main character. It's not rocket science. We are, and become, what we think and say. This leads to specific action, eventually manifesting our results. It really is this simple.

Regardless of your specific path in life, focus on creating a stronger mindset, and I guarantee you'll create better results!

Marinate On This...

I talk about it all the time, but it has to be repeated once again: What we think ultimately creates who we become!

I've been battling this concept in my personal life as of late. There have been certain obstacles popping up, testing my belief in this process, and making sure I live by what I preach. Every day, I find myself having to consciously remind my thoughts to be about what I want, rather than what I'm afraid of. Every moment, it seems, I catch myself talking to the mirror about how this process works, and why I teach it so passionately.

Without constant practice, it becomes too easy to fall into the negative, fearful trap of what we don't want. Without conscious reminding, our minds fill itself with ways to sabotage our daily paths. If we allow it to rule our thinking, it will absolutely take us to places where negativity reigns.

I know this personally. I live this daily.

No one is immune to the pitfalls of fearful thinking. The key, though, is recognizing the doubt, and sending it on it's way. Constantly replacing the negative with the possible is critical to our growth and achievement of any goal. The difficulty lies in recognizing when the fear is taking over, and consciously focusing on the possible; the "I will" attitude.

Many years back, my mentor taught me the importance of "going to sleep the right way." He explained how the unconscious mind takes over during our sleep, and what we choose to tell it before we fall asleep will eventually dictate who we become during waking hours. It's natural, as we're drifting off, to focus on the bad that's happened to us during the day, or the worries of tomorrow. Unfortunately, by concentrating on all the negative and fear, we cement this thinking into our unconscious, allowing it to marinate overnight. Do this often enough, night after night, and it will eventually manifest.

Now, as I'm falling asleep, I focus my mind on exactly where I want to be and who I want to become. I make myself feel the passion and confidence of the future, allowing THAT to marinate into my unconscious while I sleep. I repeat the same phrase to myself over and over, as I visualize my future:


"What I think, say, and do creates my future."

This is how I fall asleep every night, as I rid myself of the daily negatives and worries. Fear can't exist under the same roof with the definite, absolute truth of my future. As I regularly train myself to focus on the possible, I remind you to do the same. Look at your reflection daily, and ask what it will take to get there... then get there!

I Like Commitments Better

Happy New Year! Instead of resolutions, make commitments!

Commit to a new mindset, beliefs, and actions. Live these, rather than only talking about them. Become these commitments, beginning with every morning you wake. Stare at yourself in the mirror and look within... deeper than ever before.

Your mindset is there, waiting to maximize it's potential. Like many other things in your life, it won't make you change. It will wait and wait... until you're ready to step another type of path. When you do finally commit to those steps, it will take you places you've only heard others talk about.

Commit to a new way of looking at people around you. They're struggling with their own challenges. Remember this always. When you're tempted to bark... say you understand instead.

We only have DO or DON'T. The word, "try" doesn't exist. Don't try anymore... DO! Do now. If not now, then when?

My thoughts are with you, as this new path is created.

Before & After The 1% Mindset!

This next 1% story comes from a former football player, turned golfer. He's composed, quiet, and a total fighter. When we met, he was afraid of all the negative, making that negative manifest in his life. On the golf course, he continued to focus on all the things he didn't want to happen. His mind could only see the potential mistakes, and thought it was out of his control. We immediately began working on what he thought and said to himself. Our biggest goal for Darell was to help him see the possibilities, and help him believe he could have anything he worked for. The only person that could keep him from reaching his goals was him... specifically his thoughts, words, and actions. By changing his thought process,  his self-talk and actions immediately changed, giving him better results. 

This is his before-and-after the 1% mindset:

Before 1%, I was just a person who thought I was a good golfer, and thought I was on the right track by practicing everyday. I really wasn’t because there is totally more to it then that. Just "TRYING" wasn't working, but I kept telling myself it would. Basically, I was just going out everyday working and changing my swing as I went because I felt that I must be doing something wrong since I'm not even playing close to how I should be. I was so inconsistent. One day I would shoot a 71,72 and the next day it would be 80,82. It was ridiculous and irritating because I just wasn’t getting better, and feeling like I was reaching my plateau. I knew my mental game had a part to do with how I wasn’t succeeding. I made all sorts of excuses besides my mental game, such as needing better clubs, better coach, and should be playing better courses. You name it, I made the excuse for my poor play. I only made those excuses because I needed some sort of safety blanket to make me feel better about myself on reasons why I did horrible, rather then just accepting the fact I played bad. In reality, I was just scared on the golf course. I was scared of failure, but in order to succeed we must fail first. It had been so long since something good  happened. I was waiting for something to just magically happen, and felt by practicing everyday, it would somehow just randomly hit me one day. Thus, if I kept waiting, I would still be waiting... and wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near to where I am today.

 Now with the 1% mindset, it has totally (and I mean totally) changed how I look, not just at my golf game, but with life as well. Working with Coach Dayne has honestly changed my life for the better. It has taught me to become so much more positive and have a lot more confidence, rather then being scared all the time. Being scared is just a roadblock, and will set you back from making any progress. Doing things to be separated from the pack is what it’s all about! In order to separate, you must do things others aren‘t willing to do; being uncomfortable in order to become truly comfortable. When others make excuses about the cold, the wind, or the greens being too slow, for example, I just use that to my advantage. I WILL not let something like that effect how I play my game because that is just an EXCUSE, and therefore a safety blanket. 

My mindset now is not that I need new clubs, better coach, or be playing the best courses in the world. Instead, I'm focused on having a better mindset. My mindset, alone, will change my game. I can have the best swing in the world, but by having the wrong mindset, "perfect swing" will fold under pressure when I need it most! Working the mental aspect is crucial to success, because without it, I will just be AVERAGE. Who wants to be AVERAGE? I definitely don’t! 

I recently changed my mindset, and am realizing how powerful the mind really is!!!! Perfect example for me that made it crystal clear: I learned that by trying NOT TO HIT IT OUT OF BOUNDS, my mind never heard the "don't," actually making me hit it out. It had been only responding to "hit it out of bounds." If my mind can make me hit it out, then it could also make me HIT IT DOWN THE MIDDLE. All I had to do was begin focusing on exactly what I wanted, rather than what I was afraid of. That showed me just how powerful my mind really was, so why not use it to help me focus on the positive thoughts instead of all the negative?  

Lastly, one of the biggest things I learned from being 1% is living EXCUSE free! Being EXCUSE free made my life so much easier, and instantly freed my mind... resulting in better and more positive results. I could go on all day about how this way of thinking has truly changed my life. The 1% mindset has gotten me this far, totally changing how I think and act. I'll never be satisfied. I'll always want more! 

Derell Aton

(Future PGA Tour player)

Big Things Happening!

Stay tuned for some huge updates about the progress of some of my students. It's impossible to mention all their incredible accomplishments, so if I don't mention YOU, I apologize.

I've been going pretty heavy on Twitter, which has been awesome... and helped me meet many more future 1% stars. 44 year old Southern California golf pro Bill Ranson (@golferBill), soon to be 45 year old Touring rookie, will be featured at www.nbcsports.com. Not only is he laying it all on the line to turn pro, but is also going to play 24 straight hours of golf to raise money for the Children's Make A Wish Foundation.  Can't wait to join him for that experience. 24 hours!! Bill is 1% on and off the course.

Derell Aton (@Tourboy10) is former football stud, turned golfer... now in college, and making his way to 1%. The confidence he's shown in the last month has been shocking, actually. There's no doubt he'll be playing big time golf at the next level. I'll be featuring him here in the next couple of days. Stay tuned for his "before and after" 1%.

Of course, there's Mareon Smit (@MareonSmit167). What more can I possibly say about her? I've written countless number of posts on this 1% master (only 17 years old, remember). She's fought back from serious illness, never thought about quitting, and is now on the road to the LPGA. Other than my wife and daughter, she's my #1 hero! I've learned more from her than I've taught her. My little two year old will grow up to know her... and know her well!!

I met Craig Swinburn recently (@craigswinburn), who's battling the European mini tours, but will soon step it up to the next level. He, Bill, and I have an ongoing bet of who will shoot the lowest round this year. As I was talking trash to them yesterday, it occurred to me that these two guys are PROFESSIONALS... and I'm... errr... NOT! What was I thinking? I'm really excited to work more with this future Touring Pro. 1% is our only goal for him!

I also recently met Davee Blair (@therealDLB3), who's on a journey to go from a 30 handicap to scratch. This guy is definitely passionate about making it happen. He's currently dropped his handicap down to a 19, which is huge... but will soon be tested, mentally, as he gets closer to single digits. His willingness to reach the 1% is awesome, and I look forward to working more with him. Check the details of his journey at www.30toscratch.blogspot.com.

Of course there are more, and I love them all. They've all made me the teacher I am. I truly believe I'm as much of a student as I am a teacher. I believe in every single one of you 1% searchers, and know it will happen for you!

Keep stepping. Left foot. Right foot. 1% only!

1% At Her Finest (A Mareon Update)

Here's the latest on Mareon, the 17 year old I wrote about in my last post:


After battling a mysterious illness for most of 2010, Mareon has been cured!! The doctors had tested her for everything from Lupus to Cancer, finding nothing. After being rushed to the hospital two weeks ago, they found an infected gallbladder, which subsequently was infecting the rest of her body. They removed the gallbladder and promised her a full recovery.


Through all of this, Mareon has stayed strong, kept fighting like no other I've ever seen, and promised to never quit. We talk nearly every day, and one thing that's a constant with her: An understanding that this ordeal has, and will continue to make her stronger. She doesn't talk like this to make herself sound tough... she really IS this tough. She always knew what being 1% meant on paper, but she now knows what it feels like in her core. She understands the importance of punching back when road blocks throw their best shot, and now can see the direct result of the fight.


Through all the tears of frustration, came a confidence and inner strength that will carry her past all future challenges. This 17 year old can (and WILL) do anything she wants in life. Her immediate goal: Play professional golf on the LPGA. There's no doubt she'll make it to the Tour, but I have a sneaking suspicion she'll be living a life of inspiration and motivation to more than just golf fans.

"If I can fight through this, NOTHING can ever stop me. 1% is how I live, what I do, and who I am!"

-Mareon

She's Only 17! (A MUST READ)

Next time you want to whine and complain about something trivial, I want you to remember this name: Mareon! If anyone has a right to complain about her circumstances, she definitely does... but chooses not to. As a matter of fact, instead of complaining, she actually thanks God for the opportunity to grow stronger from her experiences. 


Mareon is 17 years old and dreams of playing golf professionally on the LPGA. "Dream" doesn't quite explain the magnitude of her goal. She lives and breathes golf, all while earning straight A's in school, and staying as level headed as one can be. She's more mature than most 30 year olds I've met, and treats everyone like gold. To say she was ahead of her time wouldn't do justice to her. She's unlike anyone I've ever met, and I believe with every ounce of my being that she'll be earning a living in between the ropes.


This isn't a story about a girl and her goals, though. This is about the intensity of her fight; her unwillingness to quit. Where 99% of us would've moved on to another dream, she keeps throwing punches in the face of more adversity than most adults face in a lifetime. 


I began working with Mareon last May. In June, she informed me that she hadn't been feeling well, and the Dr.'s didn't know what was wrong. She was extremely tired, didn't have an appetite, and was losing weight. Already athletic, she didn't have any room for more weight loss. Her energy level was at 50% at the time, but she continued to practice 6 days/wk. Still, the Dr.'s said they'd definitely find out what was making her sick. 


Test after test, but still no answers. Every diagnosis under the sun was given, but with every blood test, came a big fat NEGATIVE. They thought it could be (X) virus, Lupus, and they even tested for cancer. Can you believe this poor 17 year old had to face the possibility of having cancer? And still... Mareon kept practicing and actually playing tournaments. 


In September, her energy level was down to 25%, yet quitting was out of the question. While most people wouldn't even be able to get out of bed, she not only found a way to put both feet on the ground, but also kept fighting to improve her golf game and keep her grades up... zero complaining. So little whining actually, that every week we met (twice/wk.), I thought she had made a miraculous recovery. She looked, walked, and acted completely normal with normal energy levels (in my eyes). Little did I know, she was constantly on the verge of tears , as she could barely find the energy to swing her club. Still, stopping or quitting never exited her mouth. Whenever I suggested she take some time off, she would exclaim, 

"I'm never quitting! This will never break me! I'm making the Tour, so get your butt back out here with me, Dayne. Let's go. Time to work!"

November came and went, and still no answers. Blood test after blood test came back with nothing... no one knew what this mystery illness was, and why it was draining Mareon's system. By now, I don't have to tell you that she kept battling every day, no matter her level of strength. She was determined to be 1%. In her mind, only the rest of the pack would quit. 

This month, a mini-discovery was made. The Dr.'s determined her liver wasn't working properly, and what ever was wrong would be found by testing it. This time, a simple blood test wouldn't do the trick. She was going to have to endure a painful liver biopsy, where they shoot a huge gun-like needle into her liver. Very often, the first attempt isn't successful, as the needle doesn't always pull out a big enough sample size. Mareon prayed it would only take one time; one needle probe into her 17 year old liver. Her prayers were answered. The long needle did it's job, and she wouldn't have to endure another biopsy. Even as she lay on her side for two hours and her back for an additional hour recovering, she promised this would only make her stronger. 

Let me remind you once again: She's only 17!

It has been almost a week since that biopsy, and Mareon has been recovering well. Lots of pain, but nothing this warrior couldn't handle. I saw her yesterday on my way back from a lesson, she and her mom loaded my car full of toys for my two year old daughter, and was in great spirits. She's a fighter and will battle through anything. I was amazed at how good she looked so soon after her biopsy.

10:00 last night, my phone went crazy... text after text, informing me that Mareon was rushed to the Emergency Room, unable to breathe. What the hell is going on? How could this be happening to her? All she wants to do is play golf for a living, make her parents and God proud, and live a selfless life. Why is she having to face such brutalities at this young age? 

The Dr.'s in the ER got her breathing under control, took some tests, and concluded she needed to have her Gallbladder removed. They said the pain was so severe (worse than childbirth), that often times makes it impossible to breathe. She's scheduled for surgery today at 2:00. As I'm writing this, I'm texting her mom, asking for updates. Mareon's doing as well as expected (better than most I'm sure), and is awaiting an MRI to come back. 

Let me remind you: She's only 17!

There's no doubt Mareon will come through this on top, as she always does. With these challenges she's had to face, a stronger, more determined young woman will arise... if that's even possible. If you believe in God, Pray. If not, please have her in your thoughts. She's a true inspiration for us all.

And keep your eyes on the LPGA. When you see her on t.v., you'll know how hard she worked, and all she fought to achieve her dream. 1% always!

It's Never Too Late!

I was recently reminded that it's never too late to fight for our passions and goals. Too often, I hear, "It's too late, I'm too old, or I should've tried when I was younger." 


Bill Ranson, 44 year old PGA teaching pro laughs at the above excuses. He's made a decision to be a 45 year old rookie on the PGA TOUR, and will film a documentary on his journey to attaining that goal. After speaking with him on the phone for the first time last week, I was totally convinced he will be teeing off with the big boys in the future. Almost daily, I talk with people of all different walks of life (not just athletes) who say they want bigger and better, but rarely do I come across someone who makes me believe they're willing to do whatever it takes. Bill's part of this 1%.


Within five minutes of our conversation, he had me on my feet, pacing back and forth like a caged lion. I wanted to help him right then! I wanted to jump through the phone, get him on the course, and attack every one of his mental game challenges.

All Bill talked about was why he was going to achieve... when he was going to make it... how he was going to succeed. Sure, we mentioned his weaknesses, but only in terms of how he was going to turn them into strengths. This guy is all about possibilities; the 1%! This golf pro from Southern California absolutely knows he will be playing on the PGA TOUR, period.

Stay tuned for Bill's progress through this amazing journey, as I will be updating his steps as we work together.

(On a side note: When Bill receives 1500 followers on Twitter, he's going to play 24 straight hours of golf, in hopes of raising thousands of dollars for the Make A Wish Foundation. Follow him at http://twitter.com/golferbill).

Bill Ranson: Truly 1%, on and off the golf course!!
http://www.billransongolf.com/Welcome.html

I Will

After reading so many of Your Stories, I have to post some of my thoughts:

The amount of fight, courage, and ability to keep steppin' has been eye-opening. It's truly made me look in the mirror and ask myself if I'm doing all I possibly can, not only with my own path, but with those around me. I have a feeling the answer may always be "no." Isn't there always more to be done... even when we think all forms of action have been taken? I'm not sure I know the answer, but I do know I'll keep asking the question.

A common theme that continued to show it's face, no matter the subject of the story, was "I will..." Even during the most frustrating and challenging journeys, the end result was always, "Nothing will keep me from what I want. It was / is difficult, but I will..." This is a lesson for all of us, no matter our specific paths. Nothing can hold us from reaching whatever goal(s) we passionately want. Actually, I lied. The only thing that can keep us from achieving is us; our mindsets.

If we focus our thoughts, words, beliefs, and actions to our destination... nothing is strong enough. In all of these stories, they made a conscious decision to keep throwing punches, never taking no for an answer. They all had the opportunity to stop, put their faces in their hands, and quit... instead, all chose "I will."

Will you choose to look at your reflection and only see the possibilities, especially when there doesn't seem to be any? This is our daily challenge, isn't it: Staring deep inside and admitting we may have been ducking this vulnerability. The answers we want will never come until we first tell ourselves, "I have the ability to..." "I'm going to do whatever it takes to achieve..." "I WILL."

Be the 1%!