But hold on, Bucky! Did you know that there’s almost a fall after a big leap in understanding or ability? If you get time, check out George Leonard’s book entitled Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment. Leonard talks about the inevitable backslide after every personal success. He explains that the very course of mastery is one of plateaus followed by sudden insights or improvements, followed by slight regressions, plateaus, etc.

So when my golf swing felt so great as a result of paying attention to one seemingly minor aspect (by the way, it was the shoulder turn … just making sure my shoulders turned on the same plane on the way down as on the way up), I knew the following days weren’t going to be quite as much fun.

But knowing that would happen helped me relax and enjoy the new found feel of my swing, and to pay attention to other subtle aspects that fell into place because the one thing was right. If you’re forewarned, you’re forearmed, and when you experience a great day of success, be ready for the minor let down the next day. If you recognize it for what it is – another step in the direction of mastery – then you’ll be able to appreciate it and keep the feeling of forward momentum!