Live Positive Live Longer

Benefits of being Optimistic

Don't worry be happy! We could also say don't worry, think positive, be optimistic and live longer! Studies show that having an optimistic outlook is linked to better health.

According to an article in the Huffington Post by David R Hamilton, Ph.D. positive attitudes do more than just help us achieve goals or get us through a tough time, it adds years to our lives. Dr. Hamilton examined studies conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, Mayo Clinic, Yale University and a Dutch study which all came to the same conclusion. Optimism makes a significant difference in the quality and length of your life.

Positive people are better able to handle the challenges, changes, and unexpected difficulties of life. They tend to adjust easily, look for something positive and accept the situation. Negative people have a tendency to get upset, angry and stay stuck at the unforeseen undesired episodes that are a part of life. The pessimistic reaction causes stress. Stress is a culprit in a number of health issues.

A positive attitude is a key ingredient to a longer more enjoyable life. It also makes a positive impact  on your golf game as an optimistic attitude will help you to play even better! According to Dr. Hamiliton stress causes inflammation in your body. This not only causes health challenges it will limit the movement in your swing. You'll be less flexible which will effect the timing and power generated in your golf swing.

Studies show that you cannot be stressed and thankful at the same time. If you are being pessimistic and feeling stressed, take a few moments to think about and appreciate some things you are thankful for in your life. Change your thought pattern to something positive and you'll feel better, be healthier and play even better golf.

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive

Fond Memories of Legendary Coach Pat Summitt

She Changed the World

Fond Memories of Legendary Coach Pat Summitt

By Debbie O’Connell

Founder & President, Golf Positive

It was 1982 when I watched the first ever NCAA women's basketball tournament on television. The  Final Four semifinal game was between Tennessee and Louisiana Tech. I remember being in awe of the coach of Tennessee, Pat Summitt. She was tough, intense and motivating. I thought, "I would love to play for her."

When I went to basketball camps where college coaches gathered to analyze the talent for their recruiting process, I remember looking into the stands, seeing Coach Summit, and hoping she would notice me. As it turned out, I was not recruited by the legendary Pat Summitt, but our paths crossed two times during my four years at Western Kentucky University. My freshman year, 1986, I was fortunate enough to compete in the NCAA Final Four with USC, Texas and Tennessee. We lost in the semifinals to Texas, whose team went on to win and complete the first undefeated season in women's NCAA basketball. Tennessee lost to USC with star Cheryl Miller leading the way. It was an amazing experience in my life!

Two years later, the Tennessee Lady Vols traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to play a regular season game in our home arena. As a point guard, I felt the intense pressure of the Lady Vols defense. I imagined as Coach Summitt prepared for our game, she must have watched films of me playing. It was incredible to think that she might have mentioned my name and planned a strategy to play us. We lost the game, but it was certainly an honor for me to shake hands with Pat.

I'm so thankful to Pat for transforming women's basketball and bringing it to the forefront. She was a pioneer who made an incredible impact on thousands of lives. Her reach went beyond basketball! One of my favorite quotes from Pat is: "The world isn't a place you live in. It's a place you change." Pat changed the world.

Her fierce competitiveness and tireless work ethic made her successful. She brought that same intensity to the golf course. She loved to play golf – even making a hole in one - and as always, she loved to win. I heard a story from a dear friend of hers who was on her team in a golf tournament. This gal had a 5 foot putt the team needed her to make. As she analyzed the putt, Pat gave her that famous stare and said, "You will make this putt!" Fortunately for her, she made it!! 

We can all learn from Pat. If you want to achieve a goal, work hard! If you want to win, out-work your competition. Another quote from Pat: "They don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care." 

Thank you, Pat, being an amazing example for all of us to live by! 

Debbie O’Connell

Founder & President, Golf Positive

LPGA Professional, Professional Speaker

GolfPositive.com

National Golf Day

National Golf Day is May 18, 2016!

This article caught my eye and I wanted to share it with you! I had an awesome experience at one of the 21 Topgolf venues in the US and I believe you will too. I highly recommend and evening with friends at Topgolf, you'll have a blast! Check out this article posted in WorldGolf.com about Topgolf and National Golf Day ...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- WE ARE GOLF - a coalition of the game's leading associations and industry partners - today announces it will once again partner with Topgolf for National Golf Day 2016, offering free golf lessons at the company's 21 venues nationwide.

Taking place on Wednesday, May 18, Topgolf is attempting to set a company record for most golf lessons taught in one day. Any guest who visits a location on May 18 will receive a free five-minute golf lesson. Slow-motion video swing analysis through the Topgolf U instructional program is also available.

"Last year's partnership with Topgolf engaged thousands of its guests who are not core golfers and may not have been aware of National Golf Day and the impact of the game across America," says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation. "Through Topgolf, we are able to reach millennials and engage new audiences by showing how golf is fun, young and cool."

New for this year, WE ARE GOLF will host a "National Golf Day Launch Party" on Tuesday evening, May 17, at the Hawk 'n' Dove on Capitol Hill and Topgolf will serve as a partner, providing giveaways to attendees.

"We are proud to celebrate the golf industry on National Golf Day by offering our guests a fun, free and easy way to improve their swing," said Topgolf Entertainment Group Co-Chairman and CEO Erik Anderson. "With the recent relaunch of our Topgolf U instructional program, Topgolf is doubling down on our commitment to help grow the game by exposing our guests to the sport in a high-energy, innovative and non-intimidating atmosphere." 

For National Golf Day's ninth consecutive year, golf industry leaders will meet with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and federal agencies to discuss golf's nearly $70 billion economy, $4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits. Throughout the day, participants will share stories about the game's 15,000-plus diverse businesses, impact on nearly two million jobs across America, tax revenue creation, tourism and ecological value.

National Golf Day in April 2015 was the most successful to date with more than 100 Congressional meetings in one day. Globally, the #NGD15 Twitter campaign eclipsed 37.6 million impressions and reached 19.8 million accounts, including 3.3 million users in a one-hour span.

To join the conversation, visit the WE ARE GOLF social media hub. Use #NGD16 and @wearegolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to show your support for the industry and share why golf is more than a game to you. 

About WE ARE GOLF
WE ARE GOLF, created in 2010, is an industry coalition that communicates the economic, charitable and environmental impact of golf, as well as the health and wellness benefits of the game and the affordability and accessibility of golf, to Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and regulatory agencies. The goal of WE ARE GOLF is to ensure that laws and regulations that impact the golf industry are equitable and appropriate to an industry that generates nearly $70 billion in economic impact annually, impacts close to two million jobs and generates nearly $4 billion in charitable giving each year.

For more information, please visit www.wearegolf.org.

About Topgolf
Topgolf is a global sports entertainment community creating the best times of your life, with 24 locations serving 8 million guests annually. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot's accuracy and distance while awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Each venue offers an upscale and playful experience, featuring an impressive food and beverage menu, music, games, climate-controlled hitting bays, and hundreds of HDTVs. Topgolf also brings fun, interactive experiences to the community through its Topgolf U lessons, leagues, tournaments, KidZone parties, and social and corporate events. 

To learn more about Topgolf, follow @Topgolf or visit www.topgolf.com.

GolfPostive.com

Decide to Live Positive

You are in charge of how you feel! You are in charge of how you experience each day! Many people live sad, worried, frustrated, mad and anxious for at least some part each day. You don't have to stay in a negative state.

Here are some proven strategies to help you change your state:
1. Move! Change your physiology - look up, put your arms in the air and jump up and down. You don't even have to jump high or leave the ground. After the dramatic movement, stand in a power pose, like a superhero with your chin up, chest out, weight balanced and standing tall.

2. Breathe! Take a deep belly breath! To breathe properly you want your stomach to expand as you breath in, like you are blowing up a balloon.  Hold your breathe for a couple of seconds and then gently blow your air out. Repeat 5 times or more.

3. Think was 5 things that you are thankful for. You cannot have negative feelings if you are focussed on being grateful. Truly feel the gratefulness.

4. Keep your thoughts positive! "I am resourceful!" "I am strong!" "I am calm and confident!" Focus on the positive outcome you desire and ask yourself how you will get there. Be patient, your answers will come!

By using these 4 steps you will change into a confident, clear thinking, resourceful, energized, solution finding, happy person! You'll be in a peak performance state!

Then next time you find yourself in a negative state remember, you don't have to stay there! You can change how you feel in an instant!

Take Charge and Live Positive!

GolfPositive.com

Coaches & Mentors

I have a philosophy in life that I try to live by everyday ... Learn from other peoples mistakes so I don't have to make them all myself! Mistakes are definitely opportunities to learn. I feel that if you learn from an event that didn't go as planned it isn't a failure. But why make all the mistakes yourself when others have come before you and made the same mistake?

If you can learn from a coach or mentor or research, you can reach your goals much faster than those that came before you! For example, research in golf has proven that a pre-shot routine performed consistently helps to put us in the best state to hit an effective golf shot. I don't have to experiment on my own and make swings with and without a pre-shot routine and track the results. I'm going to heed the advice of professionals.

About 25 years ago I met an awesome lady who was battling skin cancer. She asked me if I put sunscreen on before going outside and if I reapplied during my round of golf. I assured her that I took those precautions. Then she said, "Make sure you put the sunscreen on the top of your ears." She showed me where the tops of her ears had to be cut off because of the skin cancer. Now this was something I didn't think about. I learned from her experience and started to apply sunscreen to my ears!

Make an effort to learn something everyday from other peoples experiences! Sometimes you'll learn what not to do and other days you'll learn what to do! My other philosophy is to find people who are successful in all areas of their lives and find out what actions that they take each day. We can learn from others mistakes and their success!

Create the life of your dreams by having a coach or mentor to guide you!

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive

GolfPositve.com

Clarity on Your Target

GolfPositive.com

In golf and in life it is essential to have clarity on your end goal. You get what you focus on in life. 

On the golf course be sure to have a specific target for every shot. Often times I’ll ask a player, “What is your target?” and the response is something like “somewhere in play" or “the middle of the fairway” or “the green.” In choosing your target, it’s best to choose a very specific target like, the left edge of the bunker, or the tree behind the green or the flag or a spot on the green to land a chip shot. The more specific the target, the more clarity you’ll have in the shot you plan to execute. 

Also, pick a target that gives you room to be successful. By successful I mean, even if your ball does not go exactly as planned, there is still room to the left and right of the target for your ball to land in a good position. It was Jack Nicholas who said, “I hit 5 or 6 perfect shots per round, the rest are just good misses.” That’s coming from one of the best players to ever step on the links!

Choosing your target is part of your pre-shot routine. 

You may already have a pre-shot and that is fantastic! Be sure to incorporate time to think and plan your shot as well as choosing a target and spot for alignment from behind the ball. 

After all of the decisions are made and you know the exact shot you plan to execute, it’s time to stop thinking and just get aligned and set up and focus on the target, and swing!

Mark Cuban said “stay focussed and believe in yourself and your own ability and judgement.”

Focus on your target ….. Remember, the golf ball is NOT the target!

“What? I’m trying to hit the golf ball, why is that not my target?”  Your target is where you want the ball to go… like the flag, or a tree that is in line with the center of the fairway. Engage with the target, breathe and swing without thoughts.

That is true focus! Your body knows how to swing the golf club, so you don't need swing thoughts during your actual swing, they actually just get in the way! Instead, let the ball just get in the way of your swing. Again, you don’t want to try to hit the golf ball.

Take some time to review your pre shot routine and practice focussing only on the target. If you want to be a more consistent player, you need to be consistent in your preparation.

In life, get crystal clear on your ultimate vision. How much money are you making? What career is perfect for you? What is your fitness level? How much energy, joy, enthusiasm and passion do you feel everyday? What do you imagine for your extraordinary relationship?

Take some time to get clear on your goals in life. Ask yourself, how can I achieve this outcome? Don't allow yourself to make excuses, as the Nike ad says, "Just Do It! Getting clarity and focus is the first step!

Be Positive, Live Positive, Golf Positive

GolfPositive.com

CORE Triumph! 4-step Strategy for Success

As this year comes to an end and a new year is about to begin take some time to think about all that you have accomplished in 2015. If you didn't reach some of your larger goals, focus on the smaller areas. What did you do in 2015 that makes you feel proud?

A key to growing and succeeding is learning. What can you learn from 2015? What worked and what did not? Give yourself some time to review 2015 and record the valuable lessons.

Now it's time to look forward! This is your time, this is your year to reach your potential and I’ll be right there to coach you all the way!

I will continue to provide you with skills and strategies for success in life and golf! 

We are going to start with my 4-step strategy for success, CORE Triumph! This proven strategy will put you on the path to reach your goals.  CORE Triumph! is an acronym … C for Coach, O for Outcome, R for Reasons, and E is for Execution!

Most successful people have a teacher, mentor or coach.  If you will allow me, I would be honored to be your personal coach … and golf professional!  It is thrilling for me to teach this game of golf! I’ve guided and coached thousands of students … with great success and I’m confident that I can help you reach your goals! 

Using CORE Triumph! - You will have clarity in your goals, the motivation to achieve them and the plan to triumph!   With a just a little time and focus you will reach your outcome! 

You have already done Step one in Core Triumph, you have a coach! Me! I suggest you also find mentors who have succeeded in the area you would like to triumph this year.

Step two in CORE triumph is to know your outcome.  Ask yourself what you want to achieve in golf and / or life.

Almost all successful ventures begin with setting a goal, knowing your outcome, where you want to go!  If you get in your car without knowing your destination you’ll never arrive!! Think about your ideal future and write it down. Is it to make more money, start your own business, get in shape, lose weight, shoot even par, give more to charity ... what do you want in life?

Step three is Reason.  Ask yourself why your vision is important to you!  How will it change your life?  Make your reasons as compelling as possible so you are truly motivated! 

The truth is, to be successful you need to picture your outcome and know your reasons why you want that outcome before you start! 

The fourth step in CORE is the E - Execution!  Write down your plan to reach your outcome. Be specific with your plan with dates and times!

It’s time to execute …. take action …  with Energy! 

CORE Triumph! A proven 4-step strategy for success! Get started! Write down your CORE Triumph! plan for success!!

Make 2016 your best your ever! You can do it!

Live Positive - Be Positive - Golf Positive 

golfpositve.com