I played golf on my birthday to finish off the year in style. With a New Year’s Eve birthday living in the Puget Sound area, this annual ritual can get a little tenuous with weather.
This year, crisp with a little morning fog, followed by brightness. No rain. No wind. Perfect day.
In 2024, I played 49 rounds of golf (includes both 9 and 18 hole rounds). That translated into almost 4,000 swings after adding in team tournaments played where data wasn’t recorded.
That’s easily a record number of rounds for me as an adult. My goal for 2025 is to exceed it by at least one and hit the half century mark. While there is a little bit of luck and timing that will go into meeting that goal, most of it will be because of what I do to keep myself fit to play.
In no particular order of priority, that includes daily golf-focused strength training, proper hydration, plenty of sleep, healthy diet, and walking Bandon a couple of times per day (minimum two miles). I control at least 80% of staying active on the course and meeting my goals.
In order to meet any of our goals in 2025 and beyond, we need to embrace the knowledge that we control over 80% of how to achieve what we want.
Lack of achieving goals in business and life isn’t normally a “talent” issue, rather it’s a discipline issue.
There’s no doubt in my mind everyone reading this missive has talent. You’d not be in the position you’re in if you didn’t. Talent comes in many forms, and identifying and building in that talent certainly is within our control. But pure talent alone won’t lead directly to success.
Discipline is the key. That’s because it’s the hardest part of the equation.
Resolutions and goal setting are ubiquitous this time of year. So is quitting. In fact, there’s a day attributed to it. The second Friday in January is called “Quitters Day” as this is the time resolutions made in December die. That day arrives this week!
Achieving goals takes some luck and timing. But most of it is controlled by us. Just with my golf goals, you have at least 80% control of your goals. It takes discipline.
Every goal or resolution set has a series of actions and behaviors required. We all know what those are for our personal and professional goals. These actions and behaviors require a change in us and that’s where the discipline comes in.
My golf goals are off to a slow start, some due to luck and timing. However, my discipline on most of what I can control is still good, and for that I’m pleased.
How are you doing so far?
It’s never too late to align your actions and behaviors to your goals. No quitting for any of us. There are always roadblocks like bad timing and luck. However, discipline wins out every time.
Keep chasing unleashed.
Quote of the Week:
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievement.”
~ Jim Rohn
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