Could playing the game of golf help improve all areas of our lives, personal and professional? Could it teach us more about how to live a good life than any self-help book? To be happy, present, strong, content, motivated, valuable, collaborative, focussed, empathetic, and so on? Definitely a possibility, so I’m going to explore.
Since 2019, I’ve come to love the game of golf for many reason. It’s hard, but I love it. Around a similar time, I became a reader of philosophy, in particular Stoicism. Professionally, I love creating value in the shape of software products, and building them in the best way possible. Over time, I’ve realised there are a lot of similarities between playing and improving my golf game, and the ‘work’ that I do day to day. I’ve listed some initial examples below. I intend to elaborate and add to these over the coming months.
- Imposter syndrome: Everyone else isn’t the perfect golfer. They don’t watch and judge you. They’re too busy struggling with their own game. Laugh about it and work together to get better. Remember this the next time you start a new job or attend an event.
- Small changes add up: you’ll be amazed how much valuable time you get back just from learning how to tee a ball up (which is surprisingly tricky for a beginner).
But… - Don’t change too much at once. Make small, incremental improvements. Too much change at once can be ineffective and unsustainable.
- Practice! This is not The Matrix. We can’t all just ‘know kung fu’! Golf looks easy on the TV because they practice!
- Work on maintaining change. Natural tendencies will return.
- Feedback: Use data; video your swing; get a lesson.
- We make mistakes. Bad shots happen. It’s about how we react and what we do next.
- Roadmaps and goal setting: short-term (next shot); intermediate(current hole); long-term (round).
If anyone is reading this, always interested in your thoughts. Like if you’d read more. 🤪
PSVACK Limited 