Thursday, December 9, 2010

DAY 483 Hottie Update & A Hole In One

Hi Journal & Friends,


"My ability to concentrate and work toward that goal 
has been my greatest asset." 
--Jack Nicklaus




Golf.

Some people love it... follow all the tournaments, know all the players and stats. They say it's a metaphor for Life.

Some people would rather watch paint dry than watch golf. Sorry... I'm in that category.




Yet I DO admire champions. They have my respect because to rise to the level of Champion at ANYTHING takes dedication, hard work, and a mindset that just won't take No for an answer. I always think "I can learn something from that guy."

"Don't be too proud to take lessons. I'm not."
--Jack Nicklaus


Well, before Tiger Woods there was Jack Nicklaus. The Golden Bear. Regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all times. A legend.


Jack Nicklaus was once interviewed about his amazing success. How do you do it? You are so perfect... do you ever make a mistake?

He told them of course he made mistakes... he made them all the time. But, he also did something most people did NOT do. 

Most people will replay their mistakes in their mind, cringing, and relive them, rehearse them, over and over. They were, in effect, reinforcing the mistake in their mind.

Not Jack. In his mind's eye he would see himself making the shot perfectly, hitting the "sweet spot". And he did this every time he made a mistake. He rehearsed success, not failure. This was his secret to becoming a Champion golfer, a Legend.

When I heard that story, ding! I realized I've been focusing too much on my mistakes. 

Many nights I used to go to sleep listening to my ipod, listening to a voice that led me along a beautiful beach, and had me imagining how I will look, what I'd like to wear, how I will feel when I have lost my weight. It was fun! It made it seem so real, like I'd already seen it, experienced it... and it was just a place to which I was returning.

But I gradually stopped doing it.. I dunno why. I just did. And other things like that, I gradually stopped. I think each little thing in and of itself was no big deal. But all together...they influenced me. They affected my attitude.

"Focus on remedies, not faults." 
--Jack Nicklaus

So... I am re-starting all the little stuff I used to do:
My bedtime visualization.
My motivational cards.
My music.
My chapter a day in a good book.
My daily review of my Goals page, reading it outloud.

You know... all the stuff that affects the Mental aspect of this journey.
I guess I forgot: The battle is won or lost between the ears!

Even when we have to dig ourselves out of a self-made hole... we can. I really believe we can. And I am feeling spunky again, and ready to do some digging of my own!



And now for this weeks Hot 100 update.


In a nutshell: not so hot last week. Up and down. 

But Yesterday and today were different. My attitude was different. And I DID different. So I am stubbornly clinging to the belief that from here on out, things are looking up!



From Dr Phil's book: "Putting into action everything you've learned is critical to keeping your positive momentum alive."

My verse for today: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

My quote for today: "Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation." --Jack Nicklaus

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta
=^..^=


17 comments:

Anne H said...

Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants?
In case he gets a hole in one!!
Really - great metaphor...
Great story!

Leanne said...

I just wanted to say that you're an inspiration. Keep going, and never give up!

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

Make this week a GREAT week! You know what you want now DO IT. No excuses! :-)

Julie said...

Oh you'll do it girl. I know you will. We all have to start somewhere. I'm not looking forward to weigh in tomorrow. I should be but with it being MTOTM I'm not to intersted but we'll see.
Take care and keep up the great work. Plus all the quotes, love them.
Have a blessed Friday.

MargieAnne said...

Great idea.

I'm no fan of "positive thinking," per se, but There is a place for getting your mind in the right place and all else follows.

I didn't realise till a year or two ago that many successful sports people use visualisation as a tool to success and it's part of their training. I think it goes something like this.

The more you think a thing through in your mind, the more likely your physical actions are to follow the lines you visualise. It makes sense to use the same technique to achieve our weight and fitness goals.

I like your plan and need to consider a plan of my own along similar lines. Visualisation isn't something I feel comfortable with so it's time I learned to do it. *smile*

What a great quote.

"every time he made a mistake. He rehearsed success, not failure"

Wow! I think we're on to something good here.

Blessings

M Pax said...

I am happy to see you've made a plan. Positivity is a powerful thing. We must believe we can achieve what we've set out to do. If we can't see it, can we ever manage to do it? It's a philosophical question debated a bit on a writer's website yesterday.

Interesting to see this theme repeating itself in so many venues.

I think if we keep fighting, we win.

I'm still obsessing on your shoes. You have me totally intrigued, you know.

Christine said...

Iam an absolute believer in positive thinking..and not dwelling. From my limited experience, reliving failures gets you stuck, mired, and eventually derailed. Getting stuck in negativity has no upside. none. That is why I love your posts. Because I believe them 100 percent. Go for it. You CAN do it.

MizFit said...

power of positive thinking
law of attraction
suzie sunshine
whatever we call it I know that it totally works for me as well.

xo

pinkvision said...

I love visualization. I've found it works for me too, in small ways (finding car parking for instance!) and now hopefully for bigger stuff. Glad to hear you're back with all your tools to help you. :) And yes, it is SO easy to forget incrementally to be good to yourself, we need reminders to do that, to keep plugging away, to keep on going for the positives.

I read your posts for positive encouragement too, thank you!

Salina Lyn said...

I love golf. Playing it though...not watching. I think you're right to cling to the belief that things are looking up. Expect greatness and that is what you will experience. :)

Karen said...

I hate golf too but what a great story you shared. Thank you.

Losing 100 said...

Great post. Somewhere I have a picture from around 30 years ago of me as a child being held by that famous Jack! (my dad is a huge golf fan)Crazy, huh.

E. Jane said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Loretta. You mentioned Dr. Phil, and I am also a Dr. P. fan. I think he's got a lot of answers, if we only follow through. I enjoyed your post and the discussion about positive thinking. The piece about not dwelling on and reiving past failures is a great lesson. I can do that if I don't catch myself. Your comments are great, Loretta.

PeacefulBird said...

Between the ears is right! Ding! This is a fabulous post... rehearse the good stuff, delete the mistakes. Love it! Thanks and here's lookin' up to you!

Karen Elizabeth Brown said...

I'm thrilled to see you in the "sweet spot" again! It's going to be a great week for you. Just remember to keep a buffer zone around you of all those things that can keep you motivated. That way, when something comes from left field you are prepared for the unexpected. Can you tell I've been studying defensive driving? Live your life like you were driving your car and avoid the crashes and curves in the road. It makes sense when you think about it (to me anyway!) LOL!
Hugs, Karen

The Merry said...

I like golf about as much as you do -- and I never would have considered it could be a source of inspiration for weight loss! Love the quote :)

MizFit said...

amen to that
This week I am focusing on the between the ears ENTIRELY.
and NOT talking myself out of success!!

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