I set and prioritize my time every single day.

I literally map my days out. There are rarely days or weeks when I wake up not knowing what I’m going to do.

I’ll think about what I want to accomplish then I prioritize and plan my days accordingly. I’ll ask myself, what do I need to do each day to have the week that I want to have? How do I want to spend my week?

Diligent daily and weekly planning has served me on so many levels on the lanes as well as beyond the lanes…

Your daily decisions relate to how you are achieving any of your goals. But so many people forget this, amidst being busy or distracted. 

There are so many choices every day, I know.  But I choose what keeps me on track. I’m really big about keeping your word. Because that’s your real power. When I commit to myself that I am going to do something, I go and do it.

That kind of commitment and mental strength is something I’m known for…

So, you’ve heard me talking a lot about the mental game the last few days.

I always tell aspiring bowlers (and anyone, really) to spend as much time understanding the mental game as on other aspects of their game.

But what do I mean when I say that?

To be honest, it’s not something that comes naturally to anyone. And unless you’ve read and educated yourself about the mental game or worked with a sports psychologist, I don’t think you can say you’ve done the work on your mental game.

It takes hard work and consistency.

It takes a deep dive into understanding your brain and what happens with it when something is on the line, when you are under pressure, and how you can train yourself to have more success on – and off – the lanes.

It takes work… but everyone can develop a strong mental game.

I started reading mental game books when I was 12. I think that’s why I had so much success at a young age, and it comes more naturally to me. It’s also why it has gone on to help me achieve more success throughout my career.

About a year ago, I did a PBA Jr. event, and during my talk, I asked the audience how many of them had ever read a mental game book. There were probably around 50 bowlers and their parents there. And only one person raised their hand. It was a real reminder to me just how often people still miss putting effort into something so essential. 

Because everyone has felt nervous at some point. And understanding how to manage life pressures and nerves is part of maintaining your mental game. To succeed at literally anything, the mental game is essential.

It’s not worth cutting that corner. It’s not worth leaving that part of your game – or life – to chance.

To get better at it, you can make maintaining your mental game a top priority daily decision. Or you can think about it as developing a new mental game habit.

When you recognize that things might not be happening in your life because you’re not doing something about them, that gives you the power to change.

You can change your life by substituting in practicing mental game habits.

I once talked to my psychologist friend, Dr. Weems, to get his perspective on the effect habits have on our brains. I asked, “can we actually rewire the brain with habits?”

Dr. Weem’s Answer:
“There is no doubt that a person can “rewire” their brain. Habits, like negative thinking, are learned. Because they are learned, they can not only be unlearned; but they can be replaced with new, healthier, and more beneficial habits. It’s important to consider that this is a process. It takes time, discipline, and consistency to change.”

Time, discipline, and consistency are also hallmarks of building a strong mental game.

When working towards achieving any new goal, you need to make it a real priority and make the time.

Stay committed and consistent. Every day. Over a longer period of time.

Strengthening your mental game is not a quick fix.

Habits are built by daily decisions. Step by step, you get there. It’s about understanding how today’s decisions affect tomorrow, the next day, and the next day after that.

It’s believing in that journey too. 

I tell this to the kids in my Elite Youth Tour all the time. You get to choose how good you want to be in anything, not just in bowling but in life. That’s the most empowering thing! You get to choose your own destiny!

You’re not entitled to anything in life. But if you work really hard in life, you’re going to get to where you want to go. 

So, who’s with me on strengthening your mental game? I’m giving a free talk later today. If you can’t make it, sign up anyway, and I’ll send you the recording!