Albert Pujols Lets Go of Control and Loses his Slump!

| August 14, 2012

Several months ago I offered some decontrol suggestions to Albert Pujols on how he could come out of the horrendous batting slump he was mired in following his signing a record breaking contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

At the time, he was batting a measly .194 with NO home runs!

Remarkably, in the three months since he has hit .303 with 24 home runs and 71 runs batted in.

Why?  Because he let go of control!

Pujols confirmed this in the lead article in the August 13 Sports Section of the Los Angeles Times entitled “On a Barrel Roll, ” where he remarked:

“I think everyone was pressing, not just myself, but I was the face because I signed the big contract, and I had to show people I was worth every penny.”

Significantly, Pujols wents on to say:

“When I decided not to try to do too much, that’s when things started to turn.”

This aptly illustrates one of the major catalysts of our unproductive and often harmful controlling actions.

Pressing and trying to do too much.

All of which removes us from “life’s natural currents.”   Only when we are willing to lose control, are we able to engage and act more intuitively and expansively within the natural flow of life—whether it be our work lives, our home lives, creative lives—or in Albert Pujol’s case, our sports and performance lives.

The next time you are mired in a “slump,” try letting go of control.   And please let me know how it worked for you.

In the meantime, remember to

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it on your Facebook page and share it with others.

Albert Pujols–The Way Out of Your Slump

| May 20, 2012

Poor Albert Pujols.   All those high expectations from fans, the owner–and  himself.

And why not?   A $240 million dollar contract can drum up a lot of expectations.

Is there thus any wonder why Albert is slumping so terribly?    Undue expectations invariably propel controlling actions; in his case trying too hard, analyzing and thinking too much, and likely doing too much.

The solution, Albert, may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s tried and true:

Let Go of Control!

Pujol’s dilemma of high expectations is not unusual or uncommon with high paid athletes.  In the chapter in my book entitled “Losing Sports Control: Gaining the Competitive Edge”, I relate how newly acquired L.A. Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew was mired in a season long hitting slump until he finally gave up trying so hard to get out of it.   The following year he went on to make the American League All-Star team.

Similarly, in my post, “Lose Slumps by Losing Control”, I cite how other athletes (and professionals) successfully lost their slumps by letting go of control, as well as offering a few decontrol tips.

The dynamic is the same in all sports.

Too much control, too little flow.

So Albert, here is my advice—and please forgive me if I am being “too” controlling by offering it, but I truly believe it can help you continue to be the great player that you are.

*Disregard the expectations of fans and the owner.   Trying to meet them is what is causing you to be too controlling and not playing “within” yourself.

*Lower your own expectations as well.   It puts too much pressure on you.

*Stop trying so hard to come out of your slump.  Instead of over thinking and analyzing everything, just focus on having fun and enjoying the game that you love.

Regardless, Albert, I will continue rooting for you to hit them out of the park and I am confident you will soon return to form.

In the meantime, remember to

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it on your Facebook page and share it with others.