Mental Coaching:
The Power of Suggestion
By Jennifer Scott, Clinical Hypnotherapist

Have you ever seen Stage Hypnosis?

If you haven't, make sure you do. There's no better way of understanding the Power of Suggestion then by watching a Stage Hypnotist at work.You'll watch people act as if there's a terrible smell of rotten eggs in the room and then switch -- before your eyes -- to believing that they're inhaling a delightful fragrance of roses. How can this be? Is the Hypnotist playing some kind of trick and acting like a magician? Not at all. He has gained access to their Subconscious Mind.

As soon as your Subconscious Mind does not reject a statement, it will accept everything else you tell it as true. When you watch a Stage Hypnotist at work, you're there to be entertained. But the Power of Suggestion also works in a clinical setting. Diehard smokers become unable to smoke. Chocoholics lose all desire for chocolate. And what about golfers? Those with low self-esteem can turn on a dime and believe they're winners. As long as you and your Subconscious Mind don't reject the idea that you're a winner -- that you can lower your handicap -- that you can win your club tournament -- you can make positive, powerful changes in your game.

For those of you who have bought my CD, "Own The Zone," I have a suggestion: Listen consistently every day for three weeks to "The Golfing Journey" on the second CD. You'll be amazed at the improvement in your playing. It won't be an accident, a lucky break or magic. You will have persuaded your Subconscious Mind through the power of my suggestions. If you haven't bought my CD, try repeating either of these two thoughts before you go to sleep at night: "Infinite intelligence leads and guides me in all my ways."

"The principles of right action and Divine Order govern my entire life." These two positive ideas are taken from The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, written by Joseph Murphy in 1963. They can be very effective at neutralizing self-deprecation.Your Subconscious is receptive to these suggestions right before you fall asleep and just as you are slowly waking. If you say either of these two phrases for three weeks, you'll be amazed at how much calmer and more peaceful you'll be both in your everyday life and on the golf course. Of course, "Own The Zone," which is tailored specifically for improving your golf game, will probably help you even more!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seen on The Golf Channel, Jennifer Scott is now the Mental Fitness Expert for Golf Magazine's website, www.golfonline.com. You can see her monthly articles there under "Fitness." Jennifer is author of "Own The Zone,T" a 2 CD audio set for golfers, to which GOLF Magazine gave the highest rating. She welcomes your questions and comments.

jscott@ownthezonegolf.com
ownthezonegolf.com