"To accomplish great things we must first dream, then visualize, then plan... believe... act!" -- Alfred A. Montapert.

As you continue to improve in the physical aspects of your bowling game, you will find that you must gain control of your mental habits in order to get to the next higher level of what you want to achieve. Regardless of where you are with your bowling today, realize that we live in a very negative world. If you take a look around and start listening to what people are saying, you'll be surprised at how much negativity there is being fed to you on a constant basis.

This means that changing our mental attitude will not be easy; but, we have to change or we'll continue to remain in our current circumstances or situations - "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." If we are sincere and want to change our mental outlook toward our bowling, we have to apply ourselves diligently in order to overcome our bad mental habits. Our success with our averages, leagues, tournaments and overall outlook toward the sport depends heavily on it.

I have devised a 4-point checklist that you can use to monitor your mental habits and keep you in a positive mindset. While I originally started using it for practice sessions, this checklist can be used by you anytime; and in fact, the more you use it, the quicker your good habits will develop.

One of the best tips in our sport is to keep yourself in the frame you are bowling because it is the only one that you have control over. Bowling consists of 10 frames and each one is your separate challenge when you get there. The past frame(s) are already gone and can't be changed, the future frames are not yet here so you can't predict what they will be until you get there, and whatever anyone else is bowling is way beyond your control. If you don't have control over them, why worry about them? Stick to the being in the present and you'll bowl better.

The suggestion for the checklist is to start with point one and then gradually increase to points two, three, and four. You can change the sequence, do as many or as little of the steps as you want, broaden the checklist to bring in your own points, or take it outside of the bowling center to further solidify your progress. The choices are yours because you alone control your thoughts and feelings. Be creative with it.

The objective is for you to improve your concentration and improve your overall bowling game. If you take a look at the four points, you'll easily see that they are nothing but reminders to "Stop, Look, and Listen," so you won't lose yourself to anything that is detrimental to your progress.

My 4-Point "Choc-list"

1) Always start your practice session with a positive thought. Let this be the theme for your workout. You can find positive sayings in many books, newspapers, magazines, or online. Pick one that you especially like and will have particular meaning to you. If you want, take it a step further by getting in the habit of carrying around a small notebook and, as you think of positive thoughts, write them down.

2) Practice taking deep breathes using "diaphragmatic breathing." You can have your eyes open or closed. Think about nothing as you breathe. Do not rush your breathing. Breathe in very deeply through your nose (mouth closed) allowing your stomach to take in all the air, hold it for a few seconds, and then, exhale through your mouth only until all the air in your stomach is expelled. Repeat this about three or four times each time you do it. (BTW, these can be done anytime you feel yourself becoming stressed or tensed up.)

3) Periodically throughout your practice session, stop and repeat your positive theme and diaphragmatic breathing. If you have any more positive thoughts, be sure to write them down in your note book.

4) At the end of your practice, think back on the good things that you did. Put them into the perspective of, "I did such-and-such well." For example: "I had good timing today," "I made 75% of my spares," "I knew how to make the proper adjustments as the session progressed." Don't dwell on, or write down, the negatives. Avoid words such as "but," or "however;" as "I had good timing today, but, I couldn't carry the pins," and "I was able to make 75% of my spares, however, I blew the 5 pin once."

As you use the "Choc-list" more and more, I feel sure that your mental attitude and outlook toward your bowling will improve. I believe that you will become more aware of your thoughts and will begin to relax more as you bowl. This can only serve to make you a better bowler, not because anything around you has changed; rather, because you have.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)