Comments on: “If You Think You Can, You Can!”

By: Phil Bundy

Phil Bundy — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:26:32 +0000

Al, Thanks for your encouragement as well as the recommendations for the books by John Wooden and Bob Rotella. Good luck with your teaching and writing. Thanks again, Phil

By: Al Kornspan

Al Kornspan — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:36:02 +0000

Phil, Thanks for posting information about your pursuit of reaching the PGA Tour. A similar story comes to mind of a golfer named Neale Smith who played on the PGA Tour I believe in 1992 and 1993. I think the inspirational phrase and concepts that motivate me are the concepts of focusing on the process, not the outcome. Also, day in day out trying to focus on the things that we need to do to be successful and not worrying about the things that we do not have control over. Also, defining success as giving our best effort in order to try to reach our potential, whatever that potential might be. These concepts for me come generally from coaching books written by John Wooden and Steve Jamison. I think I probably began learning these concepts in graduate school, and then, they continued to be reinforced in my mind as a college instructor teaching in a sport science and coaching education program at the university level. A great book written by Coach Wooden is "Wooden on Leadership." Also, in my opinion, many of these concepts are discussed in the mental game of golf literature, such as in books written by Bob Rotella. His newest book is "Your 15th Club: The Inner Secret to Great Golf." Good luck, Al

By: Phil Bundy

Phil Bundy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:52:47 +0000

A.J., Thanks for sharing your mantra, which is inspiring for your students and me, too. Years ago prior to the airing of the Nike commercials, I met Ted Turner, who told me, “Just do it!” Thanks again, Phil

By: A.J. Wood

A.J. Wood — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:55:48 +0000

Whenever I teach a beginner course in Photoshop, Lightroom or the like, inevitably a student makes a comment, “I’ll never be able to do that!” or “I’m not as good as [insert famous name].”

This is the mantra I wrote years ago, that I still repeat to students today:

There will always be someone smarter, stronger & better than you.
You will always be smarter, stronger & better, than someone else.
Be Ambitious. Be Humble.�

It is my declaration that you don’t have to be good to get started, you just have to get started to be good.

By: Phil Bundy

Phil Bundy — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:42:07 +0000

Walt, I thought ‘The Waterboy’ montage was hilarious. You’re lucky that Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’ is one of my favorite movies! Phil

By: Walt Goshert

Walt Goshert — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:30:44 +0000

Phil, “Shanks” for the comment? Erase the montage… but remember the words: “You can do it!”

By: Phil Bundy

Phil Bundy — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:57:42 +0000

Ovidio, Thanks for adding your comment. No doubt, Tiger Woods, like Jack Nicklaus before him, has an incredible ability to control himself and make the critical shots. Phil

Walt, Thanks for channeling Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler. I will try to erase the montage from my mind as soon as possible! Phil

By: Walt Goshert

Walt Goshert — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:25:28 +0000

Unfortunately, not much of a poet, but I can remember goofy phrases and scenes from movies, including this goofy montage from The Waterboy playing on the phrase: �You can do it!�

By: ovidiov

ovidiov — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:36:59 +0000

Your post reminded me of a poem we used playing soccer at Milton High Scholl in Alpharetta, GA: “If you think you can’t, it is almost a cinch you won’t… One day, sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.” I do not remember exactly, but that was the idea. There is no doubt that the mind is crucial. Tiger Woods is an incredible golfer, but the quality that I admire most is his mental strength, which is just amazing. He makes the shot he has to when he has to. He does not miss short putts for victory. He thinks he can, and he does not doubt it.