Games and Life – part 2
By Coach John Daly
Re-printed from 2009 posting on my former blog
Picking up from part 1….
The other part of my story with playing golf the other day with my dad happened even before I even got out to his house.
When I was leaving that morning, I stopped at 7-11 for some coffee. As I was getting mine, a lady came in and was upset that they changed her favorite flavor of the cappuccino. She walked out disgusted and I thought as to what her day was going to be like.
How could she get so upset because of her coffee? I kind of chuckled to myself quietly.
I love coffee… at times I think it’s too much. But I know that would not really be a reason for me to get too upset and have it ruin my day! I really felt sorry for the people that she was going to be around today.
I mentioned something to the clerk about it and he said,“that’s nothing, awhile ago, we had a guy come in and yell at the owner because we did not have any of the chocolate creams for his coffee!”
Can you believe that? I guess if we think about it, sad to say, we have all run into someone like this.
Of course this drove home the memory of me being like this at times in my life, yuk, I don’t want to go back to being that kind of person.
The clerk and I both agreed that there are far more important things in life to get worked up about compared to coffee.
I know most people see lessons like that all the time in our day-to-day activities and travels. There are constant lessons for all of us to learn from, every day, wherever we go. It’s just so important for us to pick up on those lessons.
Like I tell my kids, students and players – watch, look and listen.
You can learn so much from others and that means that we don’t have to make the same mistakes we see others making. I know you are thinking of at least one example right now that just came to you about this one.
By the way, the clerk greeted me with a very positive attitude and a “good morning – how are you doing?” So I knew that he caught the same thing that I did.
I retold the story to my dad as we were playing the 10thhole. We had both lost a couple of shots– I lost 2 balls and he lost 1. We both had to use the drop area then we both proceeded to miss the green.
Another lesson hit me again. As frustrating as golf is (for me at least), it’s a great, great game. Not only can anyone play the game, really at any age; but it offers such great life lessons. This time it got me thinking the best way to approach playing golf is just like life.
You have to have a humble attitude along with watching your ego. Golf is very humbling. It teaches you to not get too worked up about little things (like coffee or a bad shot). It’s a learning experience – just as life is.
We should learn from our mistakes on the course and in life. If I ever get to thinking that,“hey, this game isn’t so tough” or “hmm… I’m pretty good at this game”. The game, just as life, will bring you to your knees.
That must be where my bad knees come from.
My dad and I agreed that we both understood that point. We also agreed that it was a good thing we enjoyed the company we were playing with too. Remember, who we hang out with in life, does matter.
Do what you can to learn from wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Learn from others.
Keep in mind things that are really important in life. Look for these little success and leadership principles in your day. No matter what’s going on in your life right now, there are lessons to be learned.
Remember, when those brick walls and frustrating moments come up in our lives; two things to think about.
As Dr. Randy Pausch said “those brick walls are there to see how bad we want what we are going after in life.”
The other point to remember is that those are the moments where we can learn the most by the way we handle the brick wall or frustration.
I’m always repeating that great quote that was given to me from a friend – “Don’t play small in life”, someone needs your help.
Get in touch with me to share your stories so you can do just that. Your stories can help someone for sure.
© Copyright , 2011 http://coachtoexpectsuccess.weebly.com
By Coach John Daly
Re-printed from 2009 posting on my former blog
Picking up from part 1….
The other part of my story with playing golf the other day with my dad happened even before I even got out to his house.
When I was leaving that morning, I stopped at 7-11 for some coffee. As I was getting mine, a lady came in and was upset that they changed her favorite flavor of the cappuccino. She walked out disgusted and I thought as to what her day was going to be like.
How could she get so upset because of her coffee? I kind of chuckled to myself quietly.
I love coffee… at times I think it’s too much. But I know that would not really be a reason for me to get too upset and have it ruin my day! I really felt sorry for the people that she was going to be around today.
I mentioned something to the clerk about it and he said,“that’s nothing, awhile ago, we had a guy come in and yell at the owner because we did not have any of the chocolate creams for his coffee!”
Can you believe that? I guess if we think about it, sad to say, we have all run into someone like this.
Of course this drove home the memory of me being like this at times in my life, yuk, I don’t want to go back to being that kind of person.
The clerk and I both agreed that there are far more important things in life to get worked up about compared to coffee.
I know most people see lessons like that all the time in our day-to-day activities and travels. There are constant lessons for all of us to learn from, every day, wherever we go. It’s just so important for us to pick up on those lessons.
Like I tell my kids, students and players – watch, look and listen.
You can learn so much from others and that means that we don’t have to make the same mistakes we see others making. I know you are thinking of at least one example right now that just came to you about this one.
By the way, the clerk greeted me with a very positive attitude and a “good morning – how are you doing?” So I knew that he caught the same thing that I did.
I retold the story to my dad as we were playing the 10thhole. We had both lost a couple of shots– I lost 2 balls and he lost 1. We both had to use the drop area then we both proceeded to miss the green.
Another lesson hit me again. As frustrating as golf is (for me at least), it’s a great, great game. Not only can anyone play the game, really at any age; but it offers such great life lessons. This time it got me thinking the best way to approach playing golf is just like life.
You have to have a humble attitude along with watching your ego. Golf is very humbling. It teaches you to not get too worked up about little things (like coffee or a bad shot). It’s a learning experience – just as life is.
We should learn from our mistakes on the course and in life. If I ever get to thinking that,“hey, this game isn’t so tough” or “hmm… I’m pretty good at this game”. The game, just as life, will bring you to your knees.
That must be where my bad knees come from.
My dad and I agreed that we both understood that point. We also agreed that it was a good thing we enjoyed the company we were playing with too. Remember, who we hang out with in life, does matter.
Do what you can to learn from wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Learn from others.
Keep in mind things that are really important in life. Look for these little success and leadership principles in your day. No matter what’s going on in your life right now, there are lessons to be learned.
Remember, when those brick walls and frustrating moments come up in our lives; two things to think about.
As Dr. Randy Pausch said “those brick walls are there to see how bad we want what we are going after in life.”
The other point to remember is that those are the moments where we can learn the most by the way we handle the brick wall or frustration.
I’m always repeating that great quote that was given to me from a friend – “Don’t play small in life”, someone needs your help.
Get in touch with me to share your stories so you can do just that. Your stories can help someone for sure.
© Copyright , 2011 http://coachtoexpectsuccess.weebly.com
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