This past weekend, I competed in my golf club championship.
In high school, competitive golf was a huge part of my life. So much so that it became a part of my identity. I still found ways over the following years to get into competitive situations until time and lack of practice and playing became a factor.
As I make a more concerted effort to get back into more competitive opportunities, I realized I needed a different mindset.
When something is so strong within a person that it becomes one’s identity, the pressure to excel becomes overwhelming. Even when it’s professionals competing at the highest level, unmanaged and unfair expectations normally result in poor play and even worse mindsets.
I used to get angry when I played poorly especially in competition. In my quest to improve my mindset – both for my enjoyment and hope for better results – I’ve adopted my Rule of 3.
I’ve got three goals that as a rule will form my expectations.
Rule 1: Be grateful. Everyone doesn’t get the opportunity to play; to enjoy the time to be outside with nice people and have fun.
Rule 2: Commit to each shot. In golf, that means to commit to the club choice, the target, the swing, etc. Make a choice and then trust myself.
Rule 3: Accept the results. In golf, you have to play the shot where it lies. I put the ball there; I must accept the outcome and play the next shot.
Gratefulness. Commitment. Acceptance.
Unlike most of golf and life, these three “rules” are in my control.
I played average this weekend. In the past, I’d be upset. But today, I’m grateful I played. I had fun and enjoyed the opportunity to play and meet new people.
While I wasn’t perfect in the commitment of each shot (an ongoing process that comes with practice and confidence), I was more accepting of every outcome.
And that’s the same set of rules I will challenge myself to approach every day with.
What about you?
Keep chasing unleashed.
Quote of the Week:
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
~ Melody Beattie, 20th century American writer
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