What a lousy day at the golf course has to do with why you're not succeeding.
December 11, 2006
I was at the golf course today, not actually playing a game of golf, but just practicing my swing at the driving range. I'm a newbie when it comes to golf. I've only played two actual games.
Because I'm so new, I was trying to do everything I was told to do to hit the ball right: stand a certain way, grip the club a certain way, swing a certain way. I was pretty sure I was doing what I was told, but it was always ending in disaster. IF the ball went in the right direction, it never went far. But usually it was going everywhere BUT where I THOUGHT I was aiming.
That's when it struck me: the stance I was using and the way I was swinging was very uncomfortable for me. Not because I was doing it wrong, but because I have a bad lower back. You see, I was rear-ended in my car by a large truck about 8 years ago, and since then my lower back gives me problems.
I decided that it just didn't make sense for me to try and stand the way a person with a normal lower back would stand, and to swing the way a person who has a normal lower back would swing. Doing that was hurting me, so it was counter-productive. Realizing this, I changed to a stance and a swing that felt comfortable.
Low and behold, after making those changes I was making beautiful swings and hitting 200-250 yard shots exactly where I wanted them to go 80% of the time. I can't even begin to describe how good that made me feel.
I realized on my way home that there's a lesson in what happened to me out on the driving range. A lesson I thought I would share with you here.
If what works for somebody else is working against you, it doesn't matter how hard you try to duplicate somebody else's success THEIR WAY–it's probably not going to work for you.
You need to focus on your strengths. Perhaps work in a field that you know to be profitable, but work in it in a way that is productive FOR YOU, not necessarily the way that is productive for somebody else–regardless of how successful they are.
An example that relates to Internet Marketing: I think I've proven in this blog that writing articles is a great way to bring a lot of free traffic to your web site. If you love to write, this is great news!
But what if you hate writing? What if there's nothing you hate more than researching and writing articles? How well do you think article marketing is going to work for you?
True, you might find some success with it if you keep working harder and harder, but it's not going to make you happy. You're not going to have a sense of satisfaction after completing an article. It will probably just leave you drained.
When you then start comparing your own limited success to the enormous success that's been attained by somebody who LOVES to write, it will only dishearten you and make you want to give up.
So what do you do? You know articles can bring a lot of traffic, and you want traffic, but you hate writing! Well then, find a solution that's more comfortable for you. Perhaps hire a ghost writer, or join a private label rights program so you don't have to write much yourself. Don't give up on articles, just find a way to work with them that works for you.
It's just like my time at the driving range. I wanted to succeed at hitting the ball well, but trying to approach it the way the other players were approaching it was hurting me, not making me better.
It didn't matter how beautiful the shots of those other players were. My strengths (and weaknesses) were different, and I had to accept that and find a way to work with my strengths. When I did that, the improvement was remarkable.
Thomas Edison tried 1,500 different materials before discovering the one that worked in a light bulb. Fifteen-hundred. That's a lot. But because he kept trying and found the one that worked, we have light (and so much more)!
What would have happened if Edison had kept trying the same material over and over again because he was sure that it SHOULD work?
So learn from what others are finding success at, and try it their way at first in case it works for you. But if it doesn't, don't keep trying harder and harder at something that just doesn't fit you or your personality. Either do it YOUR way, or move on to something else.
Comments
17 Responses to “What a lousy day at the golf course has to do with why you're not succeeding.”
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Jonathan Leger has been earning his living online full-time since the fall of 2004. He regularly posts advice about search engine optimization (his current passion), AdSense and Internet Marketing. He is the creator of a suite of popular software tools, including: Jonathan L Leger 
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Interesting thoughts and a game that I thought only
tiger woods could ever master. Me? I will stick to my day job to teach people how to Learn to read music easily and leave the really hard stuff to the golfers.
Nice one Jonathan, these blogs are usually very smart, golf isn't my bag doing photography with my camera bag and knowing what's in that camera bag
is as important as knowing your game and back swing. Good Luck with the game.
somethings never work for me
That is so true. Sometimes, it just needs to be said, and a person will have an "Aha" moment. Everyone needs to put their own little touch to things. You can feel when a person is writing from the heart or slogging their way through.
Sorry, I am definitely not one the writing people, so I will quit while I am ahead.
Have a great day, all.
Doug
Excellent point Jonathan
I'm still settling in to this industry and finding my feet. One thing I want to hang onto is to stick with the tasks that I love to do - then it's just a joy and I'll never have to work a day in my life.
Hi Jonathan,
This is such a clever posting. The same thing really applies to a lot of what we do in our lives, but the comparisons you have drawn are very appropriate and eye-opening.
Thanks for your inspiration !
Hey Jon, I know this is off topic but I'm looking to for help in list building. Could you or anyone point me in the right direction? Thank you.
Thanks for the great advice Jonathan. Personally I've never put much faith in "copycat systems". Even though you take the exact steps laid out for you, it seems like there is always something that limits or restricts your success. It could be the size and responsiveness of your mailing list, available finances, etc.
Hi Jon,
Your golf story really interesting. This is exactly what many people miss out and took them longer to succeed than they should if they do it the "comfortable" way.
Enjoy!
Hey Jon,
Great post. It's just so important to customize your business to suit yourself because there are so many ways to skin the cat.
You've just got to find the way that suits your style.
Congrantulations on your aha moment that you experienced when playing golf. Since you are only just beginning, I can tell you, from years of experience on the golf course, that you will begin to link the lessons of golf to the lessons of life. I think that is one reason it is such a compelling and addicting game. Regards - Judith
Great article Jon! In life you need to stay true to who you are, if you suck at writing articles… who cares?! Outsource them and focus on your marketing.
Keep up the great work Jon.
Jack Nicklaus played a mental video b4 every shot, Harvey Penick said 'Take DEAD aim', Dr Bob Rotella said 'It is more important to be DECISIVE than correct'. In my years of playing competitive golf for my country with a less than perfect swing, these thoughts have helped me through pressure situations. Relating to searching for Internet Marketing 'best tools or tactics', we just have to stop some time and FOCUS on using what we have, which most likely may not be the best or latest. We can have the best clubs in the bag, but it's the 15th club that will pull us through.
Needed to read something like this today. Things aren't working as well as I would like/hope. Maybe that really means I'm not really working as well as I would like or hope.
Anyhow something to think about for sure over the next days.
All the best to all.
Hey Jonathan - boy am I relieved! FINALLY there's something you aren't good at … and something I might be able to do better than you (at the moment!!)
Seriously, great advice is always good to find … whether it's golfing advice (like I write on my site) or general advice you can apply to your internet marketing.
Keep up the good work buudy - and keep swingin'!
Steve
I couldnt agree more, I really liked the article. Thanks for the great advice!
Jon- Your crack support team WENT ABOVE and BEYOND! Thank you for the wonderful support!
-Dan for Derk