A shift in perspective & the power of gratitude

A change in perspective can make a huge impact on performance or a situation, whether that be a conscious change or one prompted through an experience or an event. Sometimes it can feel like we get caught in a loop of frustration and subsequently tension with regards to our game or any endeavour we may be taking on that isn’t going to plan or as we hoped. Once momentum takes hold it can feel a tough one to pull out of. This is where perspective can make a significant impact and relatively instantaneously. A shift in perspective creates an emotional shift which subsequently changes our energy and physiology. This breaks the momentum and creates an opportunity to redirect things into a more positive direction.

I remember well many years ago playing in an event, The Ladies British Amateur Championships, a main event on the Ladies amateur circuit. The front 9 was a torrid catastrophe of events, playing off a handicap of one at the time, I felt as though I had never picked up a golf club before, the centre of the clubface was not in the picture of things and I scrambled for dear life to get the ball in the hole in a respectable number. Things felt so awful that I literally wanted somebody to pick me up and take me away, anywhere, other than being on that golf course! I stood on the 10th tee (following another double bogey on the previous hole!) and quite literally in that moment decided I’d had enough. I didn’t want to feel such tension and anxiety any longer, surely there had to be a better way! I chose to look around and take in my surroundings, a beautiful parkland course in central England, it was a lovely sunny day, blue skies and perfect summer temperatures. I was in good health and in that moment fully appreciated how lucky I was to be in that situation. From that point on I had made a crucial emotional shift, one that appeared not through trying or battling to find the most positive thought possible, but one that came simply through a change in my perspective, appreciate where I was and the desire to feel better. I chose to look at the bigger picture and look at things in more general terms, gaining an awareness and an appreciation for what was working. No more thoughts of lack, feeling inadequate to the task at hand or a panic that my golf swing needed fixing, but simply an appreciation of my surroundings and the opportunity that lay before me.

After absolutely no conscious technical swing changes on my part, the ball and the centre of the clubface were happily reunited and the back 9 flowed like a dream! Timing improved and everything felt effortless, I was actually enjoying myself! Unfortunately that back 9 was not enough to take any trophies home that week, but it did provide an extremely valuable lesson and learning curve and one that that has remained with me ever since!

This example highlights a shift from frustration to an appreciation of simply being out on the golf course and enjoying the great outdoors. This in itself can be powerful, shifting our energy, reducing tension and in turn having a positive impact on our golf swing, game and overall enjoyment.

Scientifically, the emotion of gratitude has been proven to reduce the release of cortisol and stress hormones in the body. As cortisol levels go up a chemical called igA (immunoglobulin A) goes down. IgA is a protein and one of the strongest building blocks of life responsible for our internal defense system, our immune system. Reducing cortisol and in turn increasing igA brings health giving benefits.

So not only is a shift in perspective and a sense of gratitude good for our game, it’s also good for our health. A shift in perspective for the better can change everything, our enjoyment, our biology and ultimately our success on the golf course!

Author – Nicky Lawrenson, PGA Fellow Professional & WIGB Founder