33. A slump is not something you catch; it is something you unwittingly create

The high point of Tiger Wood's career so far was in the year 2000. However in 2004, he had a string of results below what we had come to expect. It brought the inevitable suggestions from the media that he was in the decline. Had he listened to the media too much, there was the very small possibility of doubts rising in his own mind. Athletes are always judged on past "Peak" performances and when these performances are not repeated, it is nearly always with a negative slant

There are 3 descriptions for less than best performance. A dip in form; a slump or freefall decline. When a young sportsperson starts out, they are the underdog playing second fiddle to the leading player in that particular sport. Up and coming athletes seldom attract negative press. Whenever any athlete is said to have reached the top of their particular field, they can only expect several weeks’ good press until the reports start to filter through of less than best performances.

Here is an important point to remember for any aspiring young player. Don't forget that "Peak performance" is just that, a peak. Dips in performance define the peaks. Dips in form are natural and should be expected. There is a difference though between a dip in form and someone who is in decline but the danger is that to much negative attention on a dip can result in a slump and then a total decline.

What most people fail to realise at times is that we have more control over certain things than we think. A slump is not something you catch; it is something you unwittingly create. If we can create it, we can therefore get rid of it. For this reason, any player including Wood's is only in a slump if they allow it to happen. One of the worst things you can do is believe you are at the top. This is not a problem for the average player. This is why top players, to stay at the top end of things, must always believe the best is yet to come; a positive attitude setting positive goals. We are all dead to the past but are alive to the now and future.

The old saying is true that when you reach the top, the only way from there is down. That is why in order to keep the press off your back and disabling doubts out of your mind, make sure you don't reach the top. You do this by setting a goal you cannot reach. Setting a goal that enables you to simply beat your fellow competitors is no good because if that be the case, when you beat them, you're at the top. When you have scaled your particular summit, you will inevitably come down from it.

Tiger Woods will only maybe believe he has reached the top when he overhauls Jack Nicklause’s record number of 18 major titles.13 down 5 to go.