The Pep Talk Strategy
Day 4 reading “Duel in the Sun" by Michael Corcoran
The toughest game in town.
During round three, Tom needed something extra. He found it in a pep talk. That may sound corny. But Tom had majored in psychology. He knew what he was doing.
Why did Tom need something extra? Because there were two factors that only he had to face: major doubt and major intimidation.
Many sportswriters and fans still had doubts about Tom. After losing the 1974 U.S. Open and the 1975 Masters, he was unfairly labeled a choker. Even after winning two majors, the word “choke” was part of his story.
The doubts of others can get under the skin of our own beliefs.
Then there was the intimidation factor. Going head-to-head with Jack in a major was the toughest game in town. Like doubt, intimidation can get under our skin.
“Water is a fine conductor of electricity.”
In the third round, Tom fell behind early. They finished the 8th hole when lightning flashed, rain burst, and play was suspended.
They climbed down a seaside ledge and took shelter in the rocks. Tom listened to the waves crash.
We don’t know what he was thinking. But based on what he said later, he was probably giving himself a pep talk. We’ll come back to that in a moment.
Lightning flashed again. Tom’s caddie, an Irish veteran of the links, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, “Water is a fine conductor of electricity, isn’t it?”
Everyone scrambled back up the cliff. They found a television van and waited out the storm.
Tom was giving himself a pep talk.
When play resumed, Tom demonstrated renewed determination. He did what few players have ever done: he caught Jack and they finished tied for the lead.
In the press tent, Tom was asked about doubt and intimidation. After all, tomorrow he’d be paired with the greatest golfer on earth in the final round of a major.
As Tom answered, some reporters realized what he was doing: right there, in front of everyone, Tom was giving himself a pep talk.
He reviewed the round and noted that Jack’s driver was a little erratic, which was true. And Jack got some lucky bounces in the rough. Also true. And yes, Tom made an early bogey, but his ball striking was better than Jack’s. So he had no reason to doubt or feel intimidated.
It was an amazing statement. Then he smiled, said they had a great battle today, and couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
The author Denis Waitley said, “Relentless, repetitive self talk is what changes our self-image.”
You might be rolling your eyes at the idea of a pep talk. But research has proven that top performers—in business, education and sports—consistently use this practice. Here’s a big take-away from that research that you can apply right now.
Give yourself a pep talk as if talking to another person. When you say “I” and “Me,” it can feel too personal. Studies show that using your name when talking to yourself creates emotional distance. That makes you more open to a positive message. Now talk as if encouraging your best friend. Highlight what you did right and opportunities to do better. Get excited about it.
This seems too easy to be effective, but a pep talk done right is serious psychology. It’s one of those simple strategies that the best performers use all the time and wonder why the rest of us don’t use it too.
That’s all for now. Until next time, keep imagining what’s possible.