There are times when I feel down on myself because I see myself “behind” someone else. What comes after that? Time spent wondering why I’m where I’m at, why someone else is “ahead.”
Why? Why? Why?
It’s boring to just reflect on it.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this activity either.
Can you imagine what other people think when they see you do it?
I recently watched Tiger Woods take the US Open and basically do it on one leg. It was pretty obvious that he was in a lot of pain and there were times when the ball didn’t land where he wanted it to. There were times when the announcers spoke as though he wasn’t going to win, but maybe he would after knee surgery.
Yet, if you watched Tiger Woods, you’d see the same determination and focus. If you watched more closely, you’d see something more.
Tiger clearly doesn’t worry about the ball he hit yesterday, the previous hole or even the stroke before.
Tiger is focused on hitting the ball where it is right now with the intention of putting it where he sees it in his mind.
Tiger Woods is a shining example of focus in a firestorm of other people wanting you to comment on how you feel about the last stroke or whether or not you’ll be able to hit the ball well tomorrow.
He’s here. Right now.
How about you?
This is why I’m starting to recognize the value of Golf as a recreation for people in business. In golf, a primal rule is “play it as it lays.”
If another player is 400 yards past your ball, “play it as it lays.”
If your ball lands in some thick, wet, sticky grass, “play it as it lays.”
If your ball is tucked in the midst of exposed roots for some crazy tree that you swear wasn’t physically there when you hit the ball, “play it as it lays.”
Of course “play it as it lays” might not be obvious enough for some people. I’ve seen it on the golf course myself where someone stops to complain about the current position of their ball.
They’re in the sand trap.
They’re in the rough.
There’s a tree in the way for a clear shot.
HIT THE DAMN BALL!
That would be the less subtle advice fellow golfers would give if “play it as it lays” doesn’t provide enough of an effect.
Obviously this applies to life as well.
What are you doing right now? Hopefully you have some goals. If not read [Chapter 2 of Think and Grow Rich->Think and Grow Rich: Chapter 2: Desire].
Goals define points you haven’t reached yet.
You’re not there.
You’re here.
What are you going to do?
Hit the ball.
When the ball lands, you’re closer to your goal. Even if the ball lands in the sand, you’re closer to your goal.
Hit the ball again.
Sometimes you’ll get a hole in one. Nice. A hole in one doesn’t win the game though. You’re not done.
Hit the ball again.
Notice a theme here?
I wish every person out there the best in all things.
I wish YOU the best in all things.
Just remember: you won’t get anywhere standing there.
Play it as it lays.
photo credit: One Tree Hill Studios
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