Are you in a slump? Before you answer that, let me give you an official definition of the word. How about this? A prolonged period of abnormal, substantial failure or decline. I love that definition so much. So, depressing and sad. So, golf. But wait, there’s more. A downturn in performance. That’s okay, A downturn – but not as good as an abnormal substantial failure. How about definition of slump being a period of difficulty characterized by a lack of success or productivity. The definition even goes a bit deeper into what being in a slump would feel like. How about unmotivated, lost, angry, annoyed, or stuck…which can engender a whole lot of negative emotions. Oh really? Do tell.

Funny story from a book I am reading told from the author who is a licensed clinical psychologist working with athletes. He had an elite college athlete client that was in the mist of a brutal period of frustration and anger that he felt could not possibly get any worse. He was in a slump of epic proportions and was so miserable that he worried he would never return to an acceptable level of play. Quitting the game was a serious option.

Get this…the player described his state of mind as cluttered, overwhelmed, and lost. So, as a clinical psychologist, they are great at asking questions about the situation, so he did. The question? “Do you think you suck? The answer, “Suck? Doc, I am the Mayor of Suckville!” And you know what he did? He did what a clinical psychologist would do when he hears something so epic, he wrote a book. And he titled it “Break Free From Suckville” and he basically breaks down why it happens and how it can get fixed.

So, I got a question for you? Do you think you suck? Are you living in Suckville? Or better yet, Are you the mayor? And also, are you curious in how you got there? Are you more curious in how in the heck do I pack my bags and get the hell out of there? Stay tuned.