One of the ways to play a round of golf is by choosing to play it as “match-play.” The idea of that type of game is to count the number of holes one plays per hole and name the person with the fewest strokes the winner of the hole.

It’s a type of game that may focus our attention on winning every hole and constantly comparing our game with that of others. This observation may determine our strategy, and, for example, impact how much risk we’ll take. Whatever the other person’s result, it has become our guide and asks us to find out how we can play better than the others.

This may suit us, as it might be our motivation to win over others.

But for some, it may make it difficult to play well. For them, the focus moved away from how they play to how others play. And they may not be motivated by something external as much as by something intrinsic.

For someone who needs intrinsic motivation, having an external focus can be destabilizing. What they’ll look for in such a situation is an internal motivation that can be used instead.

In a match-play, this can be any type of objective for one’s own game. By being aware of the circumstances and using them, one becomes able to choose an objective that transforms one’s own game in such a way that it may allow one to win the match. Such an objective may, for example, be to play one or two holes more than usual with the number of strokes suggested for that hole.

It works for golf. It works in our professional lives. It works in general.

With a given external motivation, find a corresponding internal motivation enabling you to achieve your objective. For others, it may be the other way around. Complement the internal motivation with an external objective.