Landing in the Sand Trap Doesn’t Mean you Failed

It doesn’t matter if you play golf or not, you will understand the frustration a golfer has when they spend diligent hours refining their skill, only to land their ball in the sand, the rough, or worse – the water.

Take for example, Tiger Woods, attempting to hit his ball out of one of 1000 bunkers at Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, WI, during a recent PGA Championship.

Being a novice golfer myself, (and before watching professional golf tournaments) I assumed the difference between amateur golf and pro golf was the ability to keep the ball on the green and out of trouble. Clearly, I was wrong. During the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, each of the lead golfers took their turn hitting their ball into and out of precarious spots. My favorite, and by far the most impressive shot was by Rory McILroy when he hit it out of the water for par!  This shot, from a man who hadn’t played in six weeks, played on a bad ankle, and in hot pink pants, no less.

The difference, I have learned, is ability coupled with the confidence to get the ball out of the sand and back to where you originally planned.

Everyone lands their ball in the sand trap, the rough or the water at some point, the difference is in what you decide to do next.

Regardless, of the art, sport, or leadership position you pursue, if you do it right, with heart, and confidence you will end up in the sand trap at some point. What the game of golf teaches us is: Landing in the sand trap doesn’t mean you failed.

Failure happens when you:

• Give up.
• Quit learning from mistakes.
• Stop taking risks.
• Fail to invite others for collaboration, contribute new ideas, and lend encouragement.
• Lose faith – Becoming near-sided, only seeing the ball stuck in the sand and forgetting your dreams.

When you land your ball in the sand trap, you have a choice to make – Quit OR pivot your thinking to see the opportunity for a new beginning.

What will you choose today?

Until next time, have an incredible week!