What Golf Can Teach Us About Our Online Businesses
“The most important shot in golf is the next one.” – Ben Hogan
Last Friday, a friend and I hit the links. The day began as a conscious decision to peel myself away from the computer to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors, one of our first sub-100 degree days in months. As we hacked our way around the course (and I do mean hacked), I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between a successful golf game and online business success. Just as these 3 attributes are paramount for anybody looking to improve their golf game, the same attributes will also help anyone looking to build their online businesses:
(1) Patience is a Virtue –
You cannot dramatically improve your golf game overnight and there are no quick fixes. Despite all the gadgets, gimmicks, and infomercials that claim the contrary, improving your golf game is a process that takes time, effort, dedication, practice, and lots of PATIENCE! Likewise, online business success does not happen in a flash. Though we are continuously bombarded with the “I made $27,946 in 3 weeks following this system” squeeze pages, we know there really are no legitimate get-rich quick systems and that online success takes the same time, effort, dedication, practice, and patience that golfers use to improve their scores.
(2) Visualization is a Necessity -
The visualization techniques practiced by professional golfers are well documented. In fact, the two greatest golfers of our time, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, attribute a lot of their success to their unparalleled abilities to visualize every shot they take BEFORE they take it. They both “see” their next shot play out like it was a movie in their head – but they are the directors and they focus intently on imagining what the perfect shot would look like before they swing. Likewise, nearly EVERY successful person in the online business industry will tell you the visualizing techniques they practice, or the continuous effort they dedicate to imagining their goals already accomplished before they embark, are tantamount to them actually achieving those goals.
(3) Ability to Celebrate the Small Successes -
All golfers, good and bad, will agree that you can have a horrible day on the course but all it takes is ONE good swing or ONE great shot that keeps you coming back for more. The same can be said for our online businesses – it’s the “small successes” that keep us motivated and continuously striving for more, regardless of the roadblocks and barriers that we face on a daily basis. And, as in golf, if we learn to leverage these small successes over time than our confidence soars and we can’t help but create a snowball effect towards improvement.
So, do me a favor this weekend. Whether you’re on the golf course or working on (not in) your business, be patient, visualize the outcome, and celebrate the small successes. And remember, “the most important shot in golf [and in business] is the next one.” Have a great weekend, everybody!
Paul
BTW, I’d be interested in hearing any other metaphors you may have that tie in golf and online business so please leave a comment!
Hi Paul,
Super article…you should get out on the links more often.
I don’t golf, or have any interest in it, so I’m afraid I can’t supply any metaphors for you.
Cheers,
Rod
Rod Macbeth´s last blog ..The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee
Paul I love golf man! I only wish I could do it more often. I loved this post!
I need to get out on the green too!
Paul
I didn’t think you could do it but your really pulled off a great shot with your three metaphors comparing golf to IM.
I have one for you: “Aw sh……”. A great way of letting the tension out when you hit a bad shot, and a great way of lettiing off steam when you do something foolish on line. Let it out and then forget about it.
Norm
Norm´s last blog ..List Building Keeps You Guessing
Rod, Brad, Ken – Couldn’t agree with you more. Golfing has taken a back seat to other priorities but it didn’t take long for me to realize how much fun I have out there so it has assumed a position back at the top
Norm – That IS an analogy that could be added seeing as how I let slip a few choice words while on the course
Hi again Paul,
Great comparison you managed to make there, and also some good reminders to help us stay focused and motivated.
I’ve always wanted to play golf, but I never have yet! You’ve just given me another thing to put on my “To Do” list!
Another great post, Paul. I really like your writing style, Have you wrote your first book yet?.. If not I’m sure it’s only a matter of time, and I’d love to read it, as I can tell by your blog posts that it will be a great read!
I’m in the middle of writing mine, I hope to finish it by the end of the week.
Take care,
Paul.
Paul Lear´s last blog ..Top 10 Tips To Increase Alexa Rank
Hey Paul,
I haven’t written my first book yet. I have been slacking but I definitely need to get on it.
Let me know when you finish your book up so I can read it! BTW, keep those Alexa numbers dropping
Paul
Hey Paul, you are a “Hack”…. you should just throw it like i do when know one is looking… “wink wink” you know what i mean..LOL
Anyway, u are such a great writer and should be on sport center or Fox sports or maybe on the radio with me talking sports, guy stuff and nonsense..
take care,
OW
CHEATER!
Let’s make the TV show happen – you want to start our own sports show? Our first report will be on football coaches who cheat at golf and inflate their score by 15 strokes. I’ll interview you to start
I tend to celebrate the smallest successes every day and plan the next one and celebrate it even before achieving it because I know for sure I will..
It feels good!
Vladimir Hristov´s last blog ..Growing Your Business With Social Media
Looks like Tiger Woods has lost his magic nowadays. What a useless results in the Florida Championship.