I took up golf a little over two years ago… right around the time I began working at The Employer Group.   Like most people who decided to learn to golf in their 30’s, I had a hard time thinking it could really be that hard.   What can possibly be so hard about hitting a ball with a stick in the general direction you want it to go?  Famous last words.

 

I’ve played my share of golf since then and now realize I was completely and totally wrong. Golf is incredibly difficult and frustrating for every single golfer I’ve met.  However, it is also rewarding in a way that is tough to beat.  That ONE good shot the entire round is what keeps you from throwing your clubs – bag and all – into what is apparently called a “water hazard.”

 

But, this isn’t an article about my golf game.  It’s about lessons learned on the course that translate into the business world.  Here they are:

 

1. Keep Your Head Down.   In golf, I’ve learned what this means:  don’t look up too soon or you’ll throw off your entire shot.  Keep your eye on the ball and trust your swing (and your golf partners to follow your ball).  In the workplace, the advice translates well:  sometimes you just need to keep your head down and work.  Focus on what’s in front of you; put the time in; get the job done.  Stop looking behind you to lament about what could have been and don’t waste time daydreaming about what might happen next.  Focus on the here and now.  Give it your 100% concentration and the rest will fall into place.

 

2. Keep Your Own Score.  Confession:  my golf game to-date consists entirely of scrambles, best ball matches and an occasional game of mini golf.   So I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to keep formal score during my golf game.  That said, I track my successful drives, my good putts and that once-every-eight-rounds amazing chip.   For you business tycoons, that means that you need to be responsible for your own goals, your own actions and your own results.  Be honest with yourself in your strengths, your weaknesses and your opportunities to improve.  Whether you are a business owner, a salesperson or an intern, don’t be afraid to score your results against your goals, doing an honest assessment along the way.

 

3. Shake it Off. We all have bad days on the course and in the office.  Sometimes you just need to shake it off and move on.  Nothing messes with your golf game like your own head.  The same goes with bad days at the office… there are times when the best thing you can do is to step away from the current problem and move on to something else for awhile, until your head is cleared enough to take a different approach.

 

I have absolutely no advice to give when it comes to golf. But hopefully at least one of these tips resonate on how you may be able to improve your approach to work.  Feel free to reach out to The Employer Group for more tips about your business and your personnel (not golf!).