5 Life Lessons You Can Take From The Game of Golf
Since hosting "Highway 18" on the Golf Channel over a year and a half ago I have taken up the challenging and yet challenging game of golf. Yes, I will admit, I was not a golfer at the time but since have truly found an affection for the game. I have learned straight through playing golf that there are many great life lessons that can be applied both on and off the course.
Golf Equipment
Here are the top 5 lessons I feel you can take anywhere.
1. Let your club do the work!
I don't know about you but I often find myself powering straight through my swing instead of letting the club do what it is designed to do. I often walk away from the driving range (or the course) frustrated and with blisters...on my gloved hand for goodness sake, wondering why I can't get that dinky white ball to go where I want it to go. It is only when I relax, take the time to set up correctly and then give up a dinky control (that's a toughie) does the ball truly take flight.
How many times do you try with all your might to make something happen instead of just relying on your preparation and the "tools" you have surrounded yourself with to do the work? Do you ever try to muscle your way straight through life instead of just letting things happen a bit more organically? Now, I am all for having drive and ambition any way there are surely times in life we have to trust in the process. When I first moved out to La I met with a safe bet news administrative in regards to a traffic reporter occasion they had at the station. I was safe bet I was the excellent candidate for the job (regardless of not knowing the La area whatsoever). I sent emails, cards, and left messages all trying to prove I could handle the daunting task of traffic reporting. A few months later I auditioned for a hosting position on "That Morning Show"airing daily on E! and ended up booking the job! There is no way I could have done both and this new gig is much good mighty to my skill set. There are numerous times in my life when I have tried to make something happen on my own accord instead of trusting in the process.
Lesson: It foremost to trust in your skills and set up so when the right occasion comes, you can relax in knowing that you have all the right equipment to get you where you want to go.
2. Keep your head down and your eye on the ball
How difficult can that be, right? It is much harder than it would seem. I have a bit of tendency to want to look at where I want the ball to go instead of keeping my head down and my eye on the ball. I think if I look out at where I want the ball to land it will magically get there. Unfortunately, we all know that is not how it works.
The same often holds true in life. Do you constantly look ahead in life at where you want to go and what you want to accomplish? Is everyday just another rat race to get straight through on your way of attaining the next "big thing"? I am a firm believer in dreaming big any way quite often it is what we do today that will decide where we are tomorrow.
I had the privilege of owning a model/talent group that represented nearly 400 talent. I took over an existing enterprise that I went straight through as a child and within the first two years the enterprise grew by approximately 400%. Oh yeah, I had big dreams and plans that's for sure! However, as I swiftly increased the size and scope of the enterprise I also just as swiftly increased my lowest line. When the economy took a torrential downturn last fall I was left with no selection but to close the doors. Yes, I had grandiose visions of where the enterprise could go but learned that, like in the game of golf, staying focused on what is right in front of you will finally help you reach the final destination. That was surely a very tough part for me but one I am very thankful for learning.
Lesson: Losing sight of what is right in front of you will rarely get you on the green as swiftly as you would like. If you focus on keeping your eye on the ball you will find more times than not you will end up exactly where you envisioned yourself to be.
3. Sometimes you just need to drop another ball and play on.
So I must admit I have lost my share of balls. Knowing when to give up finding for them is a whole other story. That brings me to the question; when do you decide to stop looking, drop another ball, take the penalty and play on? I realize that can be a tough decision to make but once you do you can focus on the rest of the game. In life, more times than not, we wait for the excellent timing to convert jobs, get out of a poor connection or other life circumstance. Yet there can be such great relief, occasion and growth, if you just drop the next ball...take whatever the penalty may be...and move on!
Life lesson: There are times in life where the best thing to do is play on!
4. It's all about the recovery
Even the best golfers in the world take bad shots every now and then any way they also make some of the most extraordinary recoveries!
Do you often let a bad shot or two ruin the rest of your game? What about when you get stuck in the sand trap of life? In the last four years I have gone straight through a divorce, had my character and integrity challenged, fulfilled, a enterprise I was extremely passionate about and moved away from all my house and friends. Yes, I know all about the challenges of life. Fortunately, I have been blessed with an extraordinary sustain group and an incredibly strong and safe bet spirit. I strongly believe we all have the selection in life to stay stuck in the sand trap or we can dig ourselves out! I am now living out a childhood dream pursuing my television hosting and motivational speaking occupation and could not be happier.
One of my popular quotes is, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
Lesson: Don't let the bad shots in life work on the rest of your game...learn to recover quickly!
5. Don't take the game too seriously
Do you know people who take their game way too seriously? possibly you are one of those people. Unless you are a pro and are out playing constantly this can be surely detrimental to your game. Not only are you not able enjoy your time out on the policy but I think you will find putting together foursomes are harder to come by. No one wants to play with man who is not fun to be around. If there is one thing I have learned in my short time playing golf it is that there is no consistency. In other sports or activities you are bound to improve the more you practice. In golf one day you are hitting awesome shots and the next time out you find yourself calling "mulligan" way too often. The first time my educator took me out on the policy I must admit I was a dinky nervous. I surely wanted to impress him and do well. My game face was on as were approaching the second hole. I plan the golf cart was advent to a stop and to my (and my instructors surprise) I go rolling out of the cart onto the fairway. Such a superior moment...I think I laughed so hard there were tears running down my face. Needless to say, neither one of us will ever live that occasion down. I still blame his driving. I have learned it is best laugh at myself and not take life too seriously. We all will hit the ground rolling once in a while...laughing is often the best remedy!
Lesson: Life is short...smile and laugh often!
Top 5 Life Lessons You Take Home From the Game of Golf