Thanks so much for the opportunity to contribute here!
The comments have been fantastic – and challenging!

I apologize for being late in my replies. I’ve been busy preparing for another shove-off and I just forgot!

Everyone, thank you so much for your thoughtful replies. Each of you got me thinking. And you also clarified some of the ambiguities in my post.

Quinn, Kevin and Lana – I guess my post did simplified things a bit. But my comments about relaxing weren’t meant to imply that we can be successful without effort. Those football players put in huge amounts of effort before reaching game time. And they are intensely focused on achieving their goal.

This post was not only meant to get folks thinking, but also to lower the fear factor and stress levels when “going into the breach.”

I am trying to reach people emotionally by describing a technique that is ultimately meant to lower anxiety. I (try to) say, “Don’t worry that you are not the best. See, you do have a realistic chance to win.” These are folks who perceive a frightening obstacle in front of them in the form of ominous competition.

If you were one of the recent Olympic athletes, then you have put in years of training. But your effort is focused around achievement of one specific goal – the Gold – on one specific day. No matter how many times you fell or screwed up in practice, none of that matters. Just be at your best on game day. Don’t be sick. Reduce nerves. Feel good.

When I went to law school, we spent each semester working our a** off on things that had no impact on our grade. The question of whether we would graduate or not, and ultimately of whether we would be admitted into the fraternity of lawyers, rested solely on a series of two-hour tests held on one day. While others were cramming last minute, I would spend the morning relaxing. The material was very hard. But I knew that it was more important to be clear headed, and not to panic or get emotionally overwhelmed, than it was to know every fact. And in truth, on law exams you can BS to a certain degree, as long as you are convincing. Those two hour periods were my “magic moments.” When it came to the question of getting that law degree, they were all that mattered.

Thanks guys for your thoughtful replies!!

Peggy – You got it 100%! Thanks for summing things up!

Lindsey – I’m with you. But this post was specifically targeted to people who have chosen to put a competitive process, and achieving a specific, concrete goal, at or near the top of their priorities. Personally, I love win-win. I think that I have been most successful when winning wasn’t that important to me. When I had my emotional priorities in proper order. But I knew that this technique had worked for me before and I thought I’d share it. Thanks for your thoughts!

Joy – Great point! Your approach is enlightened, and spiritually mature. I just thought that I’d pass on this technique, and let others come to their own personal conclusions as to its worth. Thanks for your thoughts!

Kristy – Thanks! You got it too!

Lana – I agree completely! Thank you!

Hillary – Great points! I am neurotic sometimes about being prepared. And you’re right, you can’t be ready during those magic moments if you are not packed and ready to go ahead of time! Thanks a lot for your thoughts!

Zeenat – Thank you for your kind words!

Jannie – Oh please don’t get that song going again!!! Thanks!

Janice – Agreed. My focus with this post is on concrete achievements, and how best to approach them. My message was more practical, and subtly emotional, than it was spiritual. Your point is absolutely correct, of course. Thanks!

Carolynn – I hope it helps!

Ryan – Thanks! I am too. But I guess that’s why this technique caught my attention. In those moments when I need to be a bit more than a “jack of all trades” it helps.

Either way I realize that those “magic moments” are only going to be capitalized on in the quiet hours when you’re hustling and nobody is watching. You’re right though, we don’t get that many magic moments so we need to be ready.

Traveling around the world with 4 kids? Now that’s ambitious, I could probably hardly manage myself! Kudos to you Hugh.
Ryan @ Planting Dollars´s last post…Hiking Diamond Head and Snorkeling In Waikiki

I agree focus on demand is important. I think how or when it’s used is up to the individual.

Lana,
Very good…clarity creates magical moments. Isn’t that the truth!

Hillary,
Oh yeah, get rid of clutter or you won’t “see” the magic in the moment and you can forget any deep focus as well.

Yes what a dad Hugh is traveling with four kids! Having 4 myself I take my hat off to Hugh!

Z.
Yes Z. I agree what a guy, four kids, magical moments and travel. I think Hugh is experiencing a magical way of life.

Jannie,
Showing up whole – heartedly…please pass the M&M’s!

Janice,
Don’t you just love being the mom you were meant to be?!? I guess in the end our magic moments depend on who we are, where we are and how we decide to live life.

Thanks all and thanks Hugh for giving us all an opportunity on getting clear about our own magic moments.

Happy Travels!

However, you can be certain that you are not the very, very best at doing anything

I am the very, very best at being me, my children’s mother and the creator of my life mosaic. No-one else can be me. That’s the only job I was sent here to do. It doesn’t matter how well I’m doing it from day to day, whether I’m having an inspired day or simply waking up and being breathed by the Power that gave me life. All we really have to do is be awake, be aware and be grateful for love and life. Everything else follows effortlessly and exactly as it’s meant to. We’re all doing the very best we can with what we’ve got at any and every stage of our evolution. That doesn’t mean we don’t have to work hard or try to make things the best they can be by our own standards or that everything’s going to automatically be all peace and light, but I don’t subscribe to sport and competition imagery. That’s why I parted ways with Coachville, when the sporting imagery became its vision.

Like many of the commenters above, I’m a great believer in capturing moments. It’s the moments that make a life. My coaching column is called Coaching Moments because magic moments are available to us all the time if we’re aware enough to appreciate them when they grace us.
janice´s last post…Caldo Verde

This Magic Moment… Has that song been running through your head too?

I believe whole-heartedly that Magic Moments are what propel us to greatness. Relax into the day-to-day foundations of success-building and those MMs will be there when you need them. Pretty much any breakthrough or success I’ve ever had has involved a MM because I showed up. So show up, that’s been my lesson. Show up physically and open- heartedly! That means with a smile on your face!

Hi Hugh,
What a wonderful life youre living..all in the moment..and creating magic moments in magic moments…wow! Youre truly an inspiration…and to live this life with 4 kids..kudos to you pal! Youre an inspiration to us all
I agree with your views on this completely…we cant be our best at all times…but those times that we can…we should be a very very best….thats what makes those moments magical..and life as a whole truly magical and beautiful.
Thank you for writing about such a wonderful topic. I am going to make a note of my magic moments now

Much Love,
Z~

Travelling the world – what an opportunity for the kids .. enjoy it – Hilary
Hilary´s last post…Rhinoceros chase – or how about a little rolling over with Hippopotami?

So we should be prepared, we should live iwth awareness and act on opportunities that are presented to us. I also believe we can consciously create those magic moments by being very clear on who we are and what we want. Clarity creates miracles.
Lana – DreamFollowers Blog´s last post…How To Get In The Flow or How To Connect With Your Inner Genius