I might be dating myself, but did you ever watch the movie called “Good Will Hunting?” It came out in December 1997, that’s 27 years ago. Matt Damon and Robin Williams stars in it, so, it’s pretty epic if you haven’t watched it yet. But, I want to talk about a certain scene. It’s an iconic scene that will never be outdated and I would venture to say, it’s one of the most powerful scenes written and produced in cinematic history. It’s like the “you can’t handle the truth” scene from the movie “A Few Good Men” And if you don’t want to watch the entire movie, that’s okay, but I’ll give you a youtube video link in the show notes if you want to watch it.

Basically, Robin Williams plays Dr. Sean Maguire, a therapist who helps Matt Damon’s character named Will Hunting, a brilliant but very troubled young man that deals with his trauma. Okay, picture this scene, they are both talking to each other about their past and the abuse they’ve suffered through, and it’s a very intense and conversation, and Dr. Sean Maguire says while looking through his files of history of abuse, he walks closer to him and says “you see all this? it’s not your fault”. Will, looks at him and looks down and says quietly, “yeah, I know that.” “Look at me son,” Dr. says, and he looks at him…”it’s not your fault”, he repeats. Again, “I know” he says, looking a bit annoyed. He says it again, “it’s not your fault”, “I know”, “No, you don’t, it’s not your fault” and he walks closer to him. In fact, during this scene, he repeats “it’s not your fault” 9 times. Until…finally, Will breaks down in tears as Sean comforts him and they stand embracing each other. This scene again is considered one of the most impactful and deeply emotional part in the film or film of all time…showcasing the power of empathy and the power of vulnerability and breakthrough. But why does it hit so hard? And why does it take repetition? Because, repetition breaks down resistance. The phrase “it’s not your fault”, which it’s each repetition, wore away his emotional armor (you like that? Emotional armor…I came up with that), which forced him to confront his buried pain.

There’s something very powerful about repetition. The concept of repetition in golf is about layering intentional repeated motion to wire skills into your subconscious. And that repetition can break down resistance…it can wear away your problem areas, it can re-program your bad    habits and flaws, repetition can do some amazing things to your skills. Remember the concept of 10,000 hours? It says that if you do something over and over for 10,000 hours, you will become an expert in whatever that you are repeating.

But, here’s the problem. Repetition is a double-edged sword. The 10,000 hour rule is a lie, because according to the study, the mere repetition doesn’t create mastery – but varied, challenged-based repetition does. Meaning, you hitting perfect 7 iron shots off the perfect lie 10 times in a row is not practicing mastery, it’s performing. The real and true mastery of your 7 iron will come with different type of practice. And I am so excited to tell you all about it. So, stay tuned.