Studies show that it takes 28 days to change a habit. The Zone Golf 28-Day Program with its self-hypnosis scripts/audio tracks, is (are) geared to assist you in a stair-step approach to build new habits and establish a way of thinking that puts you in the optimum state to access the Zone in your golf game.
In order to gain maximum value from the Zone Golf 28-Day Program, my suggestion is that you do the following:
A Track Every Other Day
1. Listen to one track every other day in consecutive order, in consecutive starting with script #1. 2. Listen to each track upon awakening in the morning (alternative options are to listen to the tracks in your car, in the parking lot of the golf course prior to a game. If you choose to do this, make sure that your car is parked, your ignition is turned off, and that you are able to recline your seat to enjoy as much relaxation as possible. )
Sleep Your Way to Success
1. In addition to listening to a track every other day, listen to Tracks 13 or 14 (“Hot Air Balloon” or “System Upgrade”) as you go to sleep on the evening prior to a game day, for reinforcement.
Practice Makes Perfect
1. Designate every other day (the days that you are not listening to a self-hypnosis track) as a “practice” day in which you recreate the self-hypnosis experience without the aid of reading the script in the book or listening to the audio. 2. During your practice days set aside ten to twenty minutes to relax, close your eyes, and envision the images, sensations, and positive feelings that the audio track stimulated in you on the previous day. Doing this will assist you to reinforce your experience of the information in each track and deepen your access to the Zone. 3. Take your inner work to the golf course and hit a bucket of balls or play a low-pressure round of golf as often as possible (at least once or twice a week throughout this program.
R&R every 14 days
• Give yourself an “R & R” day (Revaluate & Readjust) at the mid-point and at the end of your 28-day program. On this day don’t play golf and do not listen to the self-hypnosis program. Simply let this be a rest day, in which you take ten-fifteen minutes to reevaluate the goals that you set for yourself at the onset of this program. (See chapter XX).
• As you re-read your goals identify your progress, highlight the goals you have accomplished, and target the specific area(s) that still need work. This will help you effectively readjust your goals for the next fourteen day segment.
Post 28-Day Program
• Once you’ve completed the Zone Golf 28-Day Program, take inventory of your goals as well as the overall way that you are playing, thinking and feeling on the golf course.
• You can now use the recordings and scripts in this book to revisit and reinforce the mental habits you are now learning on an “as-needed” basis. A few ideas on how to do that:
• Pick your favorite self-hypnosis tract with which to “practice.”
• Read the sections in the book and listen to the track(s) that are the most stimulating and pleasing to you as often as you like. This process will assist you in deepening the positive mental grooves that you are establishing.
• Also listen to the track(s) that were the most challenging for you. As you do this, over time you will discover “blind-spot-breakthroughs” that can be (in many cases) even more profound than the transformation you gain through the tracks that are the most resonant and enjoyable to experience.
How to Get Maximum Benefit from the Self-Hypnosis
There are three ways you can use the scripts in this book:
1. Read them silently, to induce yourself into a hypnotic experience. 2. Record yourself reading the scripts, and play it back when you are in a relaxed, receptive environment and able to enjoy the full experience. 3. Download the corresponding mp3s that accompany this book, and listen to each session in a relaxed and receptive state.
Some tips to keep in mind when you’re listening to the scripts:
• It is recommended that you listen to the self-hypnosis tracks when you are in a completely relaxed environment. Refrain from listening to the self-hypnosis tracks while driving, working on the computer, using sport’s equipment, or multi-tasking. Give your entire attention over to the mental practice this program provides.
• When listening to the audio portion of this program make sure your clothes are comfortable, shoes removed, hands, arms, and legs uncrossed. (Uncrossed legs expedite relaxation and energy flow).
• Allow yourself the opportunity to listen without any distraction, or without any chance of distraction (unplug phones, turn the ringer down on your Blackberry, put a “do not disturb” sign on the door, etc.)
• Should an emergency arise at any time while listening to this program, you can get up and take care of the situation, simply by counting yourself up from 0-5. 5 represents being wide-awake, completely alert and aware. This would only be necessary if you went into an extremely deep state of self-hypnosis.
• As mentioned above, the ideal time to listen to this program is first thing in the morning, or in the evening, before drifting off to sleep. These are times when your body and mind are most naturally suggestible and receptive to the positive information that can create long lasting results.
Once you have read and/or listened to the self-hypnosis scripts laid out for you in this book, entering the Zone will become as simple as:
• Closing your eyes (Zoning In)
• Taking three deep breaths, focusing your attention on the area around your heart as you breathe in and out
• Imaging the mental images and feelings associated with your picture of golf success
• Forgetting everything that you’ve been practicing
• And enjoying yourself as you play (Zoning Out)
Post Script for the Rebels
Though I highly suggest that you take on the 28-day program as outlined, I am aware of the rebels in the crowd (am I talking to you?) that will want to do this program their way. I happen to be one of those people. So this is for you. Each one of these sixteen self-hypnosis scripts are complete in and of themselves. All of them are effective and yet one strategy might strike a chord in you that is deeper and more personal than another. You have my permission and blessing (not that you need it) to sample from this smorgasbord in any order, at any time you’d like. The key to your success is that it makes sense to you and resonates with the unique way that you are coded. Trust yourself, dive in, and enjoy the process (and your results!)
