On August 15, 2004 Vijay Singh won the 86th PGA Championship.

In an interview earlier that day Singh said, My focus two months ago was the wrong thing.

I was focusing so hard to get to the No. 1 spot that I started not focusing on my own game.

Every time I teed it up, I didn't want to play bad. I started making simple mistakes.

Now, I am totally focused on what I am doing, my game, and not worried about the rankings...it doesn't bother me at all.'

Singh's experience is what we are all seeking on the golf course: to be free of our need to be good enough.

Freedom from this fear has many names: the zone, the zen moment, enlightenment.

Exceptional performers understand how to be present on the golf course. They move through the golf course fully responding to whatever the moment requires of them.

They are one with the ball, one with what they are doing, one with the Now -- the present moment.

Re-training Your Mind

Getting in the zone sounds simple, and it is.

Simple...but not easy.

Freeing yourself from the fear of inadequacy and failure means re-training your mind.

This is why the Dahlai Lama is so peaceful. Since the age of 4, he's been training his mind towards enlightenment.

You can do the same.

Mental Toughness Exercise

Play the next round of golf by yourself. In addition to your score card, take a pocket notebook.

Play the round as you normally do, only this time listen to your mind each time it pays attention to your ego (the part of you that wants recognition) instead of the game itself.

Here are some typical thoughts you might have:

Why do I always fluff my approach shots?
Why do I always land that bunker?
Why cant I get more distance on my drives?

Dont attempt to stop your mind; simply listen in. When you hear your mind move its attention to the score, the outcome of your shots, or winning, write down these thoughts.

The greater part of your fearful thinking in golf is involuntary and automatic.

When you shine the light of consciousness upon it with self-awareness, it cannot help but wither.

I'll talk to you again soon.

Your friend,

Lisa Brown