#121: Delusional Goals Require Delusional Action (Your Effort is Embarrassing)

Most golfers aren't short on belief… They're short on behavior. They'll say they're going to qualify for a USGA event, win their club championship, or finally break 80 consistently… then practice "when it's convenient," avoid pressure, and wonder why their confidence keeps collapsing the moment things get uncomfortable. This episode is a gut-check (and a blueprint): being delusional in your thinking isn't the issue—being delusional without matching action is. Because that gap—between what you say you want and what you repeatedly do—is where frustration, self-doubt, guilt, and stalled progress live. You'll hear why high performers aren't just delusional in their goals… they're delusional in their standards, their commitment, and their consistency—and how to bring that same congruency into your off-season so next season finally matches the player you believe you are. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "big belief + small execution" creates anxiety—not confidence How to stop underestimating the action required to reach big goals The real difference between being interested and being committed Why small goals create negotiation, and big goals create clarity How to build identity through consistent, unreasonable reps What your subconscious does when you start standing out—and how to override it A simple weekly lens: "What would a scratch golfer do this week?" Get your pencils ready and start listening. P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here . Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course. Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist Key Takeaways: Delusional thinking is fun—delusional action is what changes your handicap. The real problem isn't lack of belief; it's underestimating the reps required. When your goals and habits aren't aligned, you don't feel confident—you feel anxious. Small goals invite negotiation; big goals demand commitment and simplify decisions. Identity isn't what you claim—it's what your calendar proves. The moment you stand out, your subconscious will try to pull you back into "safe." Your breakthrough happens when thinking, doing, and identity finally match. Key Quotes: "Being delusional isn't the problem. Being delusional without matching action—that is the problem." "Big beliefs, small execution. And this dissonance creates anxiety, not confidence." "The reason you're not achieving your goals isn't lack of capacity to believe—it's lack of action taken to align with the delusional thinking." "As soon as you accept how hard it is, the journey becomes easier." "Small goals require constant negotiation. Big goals demand full commitment." "Most people are delusional in their thinking, conservative in their action, inconsistent in their identity." "Your breakthrough doesn't happen when you feel confident—it happens when your thinking, doing, and identity finally align." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Delusional World of Jake Paul 02:39: Understanding Delusion in Action 07:50: The Gap Between Thinking and Action 10:24: The 10X Rule and Its Implications 13:21: Commitment vs. Interest in Goals 15:46: The Power of Delusional Thinking 18:35: Personal Stories of Delusional Action 21:16: Closing the Gap with Action 23:35: Final Thoughts and Call to Action