“If you only ever give 90% in training then you will only ever give 90% when it matters.” Obviously, we're big fans of the 90%, but in this case, we have to side with Liverpool legend Michael Owen. Like Owen, I've found that many people don't give 100% in training. They do this because it makes it easier to accept an undesirable outcome, as opposed to giving 100% and having to live with the knowledge that their best wasn't good enough.

My family and I traveled to Wichita to see family, and while it might not be the most exotic locale, our time in Wichita has provided some good reminders. 

1. Slow is not bad. Between walks around the lake, paddle boarding at sunset, farmers markets, or the inevitable waiting that comes with having 16 family members in one place, the pace has definitely been slower. Although American culture values speed, slowing down provides the necessary time for thought and reflection. Finding some time in your day to go slowly might just be the most productive part of the day.

2. Green is good. Living in the Mojave desert and the city of Las Vegas can provide a rather drab visual. Brown and gray tend to be the dominant colors. Wichita, on the other hand, has been lush. Spending time in green spaces enhances cognitive function, reduces stress, promotes happiness, and boosts creativity and focus. Research shows that even an indoor plant or pictures of green spaces can provide these benefits, so go green.

3. Homegrown is best. My in-laws have a garden, and we've eaten abundantly from it. There's nothing like fresh tomatoes, squash, onions, and potatoes. Add in steaks from the family farm, and you have a literal farm-to-table meal. The cycle was completed when the scraps went to the compost pile. What's the lesson? Managing your inputs, cultivating growth - and pulling weeds - will pay off with a fruitful harvest. And even what you don't use can fertilize future growth.

Bernhard Langer won the US Senior Open, marking the 46th tournament (and 12th Senior Major) that he's won since joining the PGA Tour Champions. On a tour that typically favors younger golfers, he extended his own record as the oldest winner on the tour at the age of 65. A model of consistency, his commitment to his faith, exercise, diet, and craft is a model for all of us. Langer's resilience is also noteworthy; he's overcome the yips at four different times in his career. While the humble German seems ageless, he readily admits he's far from it. Instead, he's changed his approach, spending less time practicing but devoting greater focus to each shot. He spends more time stretching and recuperating. While he knows that he's not going to hit it longer, he believes that there's always room for improvement - both on the technical side and on the mental side. Langer's mindset and approach suggest that there may be a more efficient process than "the grind."

Even if you don't take a trip this summer, you can create a mental retreat through a meditative practice. Here are the basics:

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