In this insightful excerpt from “Entrepreneurial Trinity,” Brian Sullivan shares a valuable lesson learned on the golf course that translates perfectly to the business world. This story emphasizes the importance of using the right tools and resources to avoid overexertion and achieve optimal performance.
Never a Reason to Swing a Golf Club 120 Percent
The first golf lesson I ever had was just a few years ago. The pro, giving me my lesson, very quickly advised me that there was never a reason to swing a golf club 120 percent. Every single swing I took, I swung out of my shoes to try to hit the ball as hard as I could. He pointed out that if I was trying to hit my eight iron 120 percent, I probably should just be swinging my seven iron or six iron instead. That made a lot of sense for my golf game, but I didn’t think much about it afterward.
I recently had a good friend, Joe Apfelbaum, out on the practice range. He is a true visionary and phenomenal entrepreneur, currently on his third or fourth business but had never been golfing before. When I shared that tip with him, he looked at me and said, “Isn’t that the same as business? If you’re ever working at 120 percent, you’re not using the right tools.” So true. So well said and so succinct. As I reflect over the years, if I was operating at 120 percent, I either didn’t have the right people in place, the right processes, or the right resources available. Whether swinging a golf club or working in business, going forward, I need to avoid operating at 120 percent.
What are you putting 120 percent effort into right now? Do you need new people, processes, or resources to get to 100 percent?
This moving comparison draws attention to an important difference between business and sports. For more wisdom and practical advice, delve deeper into Brian and Mary Jo Sullivan’s “Entrepreneurial Trinity” and discover how to apply these principles to your own entrepreneurial journey.