This happens every season. Some meltdowns are more sensational than others. From the windows, we see an increase in practice range behavior. Then the tentative 9 hole test on the Links. A little dejection, but back to the rock pile we call the range tee. Lots of balls, plenty of sweat. You are getting an A+ for putting in “work”. A few weeks later the bigger test. Maybe an important league match. Maybe a boss who flies into town. Maybe the maiden round with your future son-in-law who loves golf. It goes poorly and ends one of two ways. You finish round, quietly close your trunk, and we wonder where you went. Or… in a fit of rage, you walk off golf course during the round, loudly trunk slam your clubs, and everyone knows where you went, as you declare you are “done”. So where am I going with this?
As human beings, we all work very hard at our crafts, whatever they may be. Why are we wired to believe that simply because we put forth effort, we are entitled to results. In running a business, I can put forth tons of effort, but that doesn’t mean people will play golf here. If I put forth zero effort, at least I can justify why business is bad. What if I put all the effort into things that don’t matter? I will still have bad business, and boy will I be pissed because I did plenty of work. How do we know that the effort we are putting forth is the right effort? Why are we entitled results despite the focus of our work? Why do we give up when the results are seen as bad? Who decides, and how do we decide, what are bad results? There is nothing I can say that makes this better, easier, whatever. Simply be aware of the games your mind is playing.
