Two years ago I started playing golf. I am still not very good. Two years ago after my first lesson the pro suggested I play in the upcoming club championship as it would be a good experience. I shot 116 on both days and was the high score. There were times during those rounds I just wanted to walk off the course.

Last year, my game was getting better and I shot 99, 99. Still, there were some moments when I wanted to quit I was so frustrated.

This year, my game is getting better and I even shot an 83 the other day. So, the goal for the club championship was to break 90 on both days. On day one I shot 90. Goal not made. The score of nine on the 15th hole was very frustrating and I knew that it ruined my chances to break 90. Even more frustrating because I shot had 41 on the front side.

Today on day two, well, I shot 93. Another score of 9, this time on the second hole. So, yet another time when the thought to just walk off the course, I am not having fun, goes through my head. I hung in there and caught two bad bounces along the way but finished with pars on the last 4 holes for a 93. Goal not made. (I had adjusted the goal for sunday to an 88, the two bounces could have put me at 89)

So, here is the question. Did I fail? I didn’t achieve my goal but I beat last year by 15 strokes. Does that count for anything? I have no illusion that I am going to win the event but I do have a desire to play my best. Maybe that was my best today although I know I can do better. Then again, there were those times when I was not having fun. It is a game, for recreation, it is supposed to be fun so if it isn’t fun then maybe I shouldn’t do it. But I made the choice to be out there, and I persisted. I persevered. I really wanted to quit after that 9. It would be easy and nobody would care..but me.

If nothing else I am determined. I know my high standards enable me to be successful in business and I carry those standards over to other areas of my life. I am usually able to moderate them on the things that don’t matter but for golf I always expect to shoot my best. I know that expectation is flawed but I live with it and must learn to moderate it.

If I had quit two years ago on my way to the 116 where would I be today? I suspect I wouldn’t not be breaking 90. I am not even sure I would be on the course at all. But I persevered and I think I am better for it. No, I did not reach my goals this year but I don’t think I failed. That is too harsh. I am proud of the fact that I got my act together and made a bunch of pars in the final hour.

We do need to know when to stay the course and when to walk off. But I think we grow more when we stay the course in pursuit of our lofty goal. I know I do. We may not always get there but we get better as we make the quest. Progress not perfection. I learned that again today and am grateful to be able to continue my quest.

Are you on a quest? Dont quit.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 2:06 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.