As a “Type A” personality I have always wanted to know what the objective is, how it will be measured, when it’s due, and how I can get it done as quickly as possible.  It’s black and white.  The world is GOOD!  I’m in control!  HAH!

Sometimes lessons come from strange places.  This one I learned as I struggled to reduce my golf handicap.  I spent hours working on my swing learning how to position each of my limbs and control the club head.  I worked hard.  I got callouses.  I improved.  A little.

Then I came across two resources in a short period of time.  The first was Bob Rotella’s book “Golf is Not a Game of Perfect”.  The second is the “Golf Made Simple” golf school.  Both highlighted a couple of key things.  First, the tension that comes with always trying your hardest is NOT conducive to success.  Rather, you need to make sure you have clear great focus at the key moment and clear your mind the rest of the time.  Second, and this one’s key, you need to accept that sometimes even if you do everything right, things won’t turn out as you would like.  That’s OK, you can only control what you do and have to accept the result.

Now I don’t practice, I’m not as stressed on the course, and my handicap continues to trend down — I actually achieved the elusive single digit handicap last year (yeah, there’s still a little bit of metrics driven, type A hiding in there).  It’s taken five years for me to really understand this lesson, embrace it, and begin to apply it in other areas of my life.  In December I stepped away from the traditional career path.  I took a lot less compensation in exchange for a lot more time.  I’m not trying as hard, and things are going a lot better.  My kids are happier, my wife’s happier, and I’m happier.  I’m really curious as to what will happen next if I can continue to apply this lesson.

As you go through the next week, take a look at what you’re trying to control.  Can you really exert the influence that you perceive you have?  Or, are you better off, stepping back, putting faith in the processes you have built, and trusting those around you to deliver the goods?

As always, thanks for the time.