One of the greatest golfers of all time, Jack Nicklaus, won 18 major championships, but did you know, he finished runner-up 19 times. Why did Nicklaus fare so much better than other golfers in major championships?
He was a master at preparation and stuck to the basic principles of his golf swing that he learned under the tutelage of Jack Grout when he was a teenager at Scioto Country Club. But more than that, Nicklaus always maintained a positive attitude about the course, the conditions and his competition.
When he heard players complaining about the difficulty, or condition of the golf course early in the week, he knew he could eliminate that player as a serious contender.
Nicklaus learned at a young age not to let outside distractions, or elements you can not control affect your performance. At the elite level, whether in golf, or your work, focus on the task and adherence to the plan must be the main goal every day.
When Nicklaus heard a fellow competitor complain about something, it made him more focused on his plan of attack for the week.
This year we have witnessed one of the most disruptive environments in history, to our business economy. The COVID-19 virus has forced many businesses to close, some temporarily and some permanently.
The anguish, complaints and blame for this pandemic can be heard every day. Are you joining in the choir, or are you revising your business plan, to be ready to hit the ground running when the restrictions are lifted? Are you staying in contact with your clients? Are you considering new ways of doing business or streamlining old procedures, while you have this time? Are you updating your client lists and learning new methods of communication?
While your competitors are complaining about the government, the coronavirus and the Chinese failure to stop this virus before it became a worldwide problem, be like the Golden Bear, stay focused and maintain a positive attitude. If you do, you’ll be much better off, when we all get back to work.
