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Toddg
Administrator
USA
2426 Posts |
 Posted - 10/10/2009 : 10:11:21
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It happened two times this week - so I thought it would be a good theme for a conversation.
Twice this week a couple of people informed me that, to use their words "they couldn't find what they were looking for" after purchasing our instructional videos and they returned the videos.
I am not concerned about the returned videos - that is a part of business. What interests me and me is the inference to the fact that our instruction did not provide them with what they were looking for. In other words they already know what they need to improve.
Now, pause for a minute and let me give you a bit of background information here. When all of you visit the GGA whether it be reading an email, website or phone call, you are seeing the front stage presentation of our company. This is the 5%. The 95% of the company is everything that goes into the front stage - call it the backstage.
The backstage consists of conversations, meetings, presentations, preparations, web development, phone calls, writing scripts, production, and the hundreds of things we do each day. Included always in the backstage is one main subject - YOU the student. Everything we do is for YOU.
Now, to resume the conversation. I understand that you are looking for help and that your desire to improve. All of you want to hit the golf ball better. Which leads to my point about the backstage - here is a conversation that our company has so often.
Q. "How much time do we spend teaching the golf swing".
A. 1% of our time is spent teaching the golf swing
Q. "How much time is spent helping people learn how to learn"
A. 99% of our time in our company is helping people learn to learn.
The above conversation is fascinating in two respects. 1) we are a golf instruction company. 2) only 1 percent is involved with golf.
My point here is that there is a psychology to your improvement and to be honest, if you are unwilling to completely let go and open yourself to all information as new, it will be highly unlikely that you will improve.
If you decide how you are going to learn, then you are already creating an obstacle to learning. As Tim would tell you - "You got in your own way".
There is a story of Socrates when he was proclaimed to be the smartest man by the Oracles in Athens. Socrates, uncomfortable with this title, went to the streets to find someone worthy of the proclamation. After tireless conversations with politicians, poets, craftsmen and philosophers - Socrates understood the Oracles - and feared that hey were right due to the fact that Socrates knew one thing that all these others did not - he knew that he knew nothing. By knowing this, he was open to everything.
The answer to understanding and learning is to "Know Thyself" and be open to everything as a possibility.
If you are ready to improve, you must know yourself. What do you think you know? Are you sure about these things? Could you be wrong? Are you open to everything no matter what?
Know Thyself - this is my advice for you today. When you begin to know thyself, you start seeing your belief systems and then I recommend you challenge those belief systems. Once you do, you are becoming open to new possibility - and removing the obstacle (You).
When you are ready and open, we are ready to help.
Regards.
Todd
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shivas
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 18:01:28
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Todd,
Very interesting perspective! What you say is absolutely true. I experience this with my own kids trying to teach them math, soccer etc. However there are 2 sides to this. One is what you say, that the student must be willing and open to the instructions. They must "trust" the teacher to get the best out of them. Sometimes, enough trust just never builds. There is another side to this as I have discovered. And that is communication (especially with words) sometimes just doesn't translate well. That is sometimes a big part of lack of understanding the materials. Everyone comes with different colored lens to look at things. This is another huge roadblock to overcome especially for a teacher.
Shiva |
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Toddg
Administrator
USA
2426 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2009 : 21:28:33
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So True. I have found the same things.
Todd |
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johnpritch
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2009 : 06:01:13
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Absolutely agree with Shiva re the limitation of words. Have only just made two posts and was very aware of the difficulty of framing my questions to convey exactly what I meant.
Having joined the knowmoe site I have to say that the past webinars on there really highlight the lengths that GGA go to to help students get the message.
Three things convinced me to explore this method. 1. Moe's legendary accuracy and consistency contrasting with my wildness and inconsistency. 2. A youtube video of Todd's swing looked so athletic. 3. Another youtube video showing the comparison between this method and conventional golf with the incredible spinal contortions that great players have to make - my spine's not up to that and that's what I've been doing to it for 10 years!
All in all, a no-brainer really! |
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Toddg
Administrator
USA
2426 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2009 : 13:28:31
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John,
Thanks for the post. I enjoy hearing your stories. You are right, it is difficult to put things into words. video is a much better medium.
Todd |
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sparty
1 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 12:43:29
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| From an old retired teacher/professor, When the student is ready the teacher will appear! |
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Hack the knife
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 07:35:39
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People also must WANT to change. REALLY want to change.
I was at a school as a visitor this summer. Watching someone who made the financial commitment but not the mental one. The repetitive process of instructor coming over and putting set-up back where it needed to be, instructor leaves, back to S.O.S., lather, rinse, repeat for rest of day.
I watched with a bit of morbid curiosity - because I saw myself the first time I went to camp. Can't "buy" a golf game - without spending the MENTAL currency to go all-in.
And that's the part I still don't get. Why someone would make the financial commitment and NOT come in mentally committed. Walk in the door with a clean slate, it will serve you well |
On the path - not always on the fairway |
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It's all about YOU. - stop getting in your own way
