competition

What we think of as the ego only pops up along with the need to defend or justify. The less security, the louder it screams and the more dominance it asserts in order to protect its image.

Looking at my own family system was where I discovered normal wasn’t healthy. How the socialization process itself here and what I call the excited States of America may be normal but it’s not healthy.

PGA Tour and Hall of Fame - I had tremendous self-esteem because of my father. I had a very secure childhood. I knew he loved me and accepted me. And I know that there's no affirmation stronger than a father's affirmation that you're going to succeed.

The human brain is the most complex and most highly organized and most beautifully organized entity in the known universe.

PGA Tour - I'm not a great guy if I shoot 65 and I'm not a bad guy if I shoot 78. I'm still Peter Jacobson the person and my golf score is simply that, my golf score.

In any given sport; basketball, baseball, football, golf, whatever it might be, there are a few individuals who are really on top of the game. They are spectacular and everyone comes to watch them because these magical athletes are in this wonderful state of ease.

The inner game is overcoming inner obstacles that stand in the way of a person discovering and expressing their capabilities, themselves. The outer game has to do with overcoming external obstacles to reach an external goal. The inner game and outer game are related.

Kids get their fair share of humiliation. If we can make it a little bit safer and give kids a way to enjoy being active in ways that suit them best, we will establish a motivating factor that will keep them involved and active, hopefully for the rest of their lives. John is a former professional tri-athlete and the author of Body, Mind and Sport.

Play is the optimum state to respond to challenges, large and small.