

#236: Managing External Pressures with Dr. Morris Pickens
11 snips Jul 31, 2025
Dr. Morris Pickens, a sports psychologist specializing in helping professional athletes, especially golfers, tackle external pressures, shares his insights in this engaging discussion. He emphasizes the unique stresses athletes face, particularly during transitions from amateur to professional levels. Dr. Pickens reveals the power of positive self-talk in improving performance. He also discusses the importance of focus amidst distractions and the balance between rest and preparation, offering strategies for maintaining mental health and productivity under pressure.
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External Pressures Grow With Seniority
- External demands grow with seniority and fragment time for deep work.
- Recognize new roles add marketing, management, and strategic duties that erode process time unless managed.
Making The Cut Determines Pay
- In golf most players earn prize money only if they make the cut after two days.
- Missing a cut leaves travel and team costs sunk and increases urgency for the next week.
Sponsors Force Public Performance
- Corporate sponsors create visible expectations that force players into public appearances even after failure.
- Those obligations increase emotional strain and complicate recovery after poor results.