I couldn’t help but be drawn into the Masters this past weekend. As an avid golfer, watching the drama unfold and seeing Phil Mickelson win his third Green Jacket, reminded me of the most important life lessons that I live by.
1. “Chance Favors The Prepared Mind”
Louis Pasteur‘s quote is a famous one throughout leadership development circles. However, preparation only takes you half way, it’s what you do when preparation meets opportunity that speaks volumes. The biggest example of this at the Masters was Mickelson’s second shot on the 13th hole. Standing in pine straw behind two big trees, Phil hit the shot of his career:
As he prepared to hit the shot, I yelled at my TV (as many weekend hackers did), “What are you thinking Phil!?! Take the safe shot!” But, when the ball landed safely on the green, 4 feet from the pin, two thoughts jumped into my mind: First: he has practiced that shot a thousand times. At that level, golfers don’t just hit balls off the tee, they’re hitting it from the sand, dirt, and pine straw. Second: that preparation gave him the confidence to believe that he could do it. It was all a matter of execution.
Imagine how many opportunities we would be ready for and take advantage of if we were proactively prepared.
2. Character is Defined by How You Deal With Failure
Life’s certainties are death, taxes… and failure. Everyone deals with it differently, but the true test of character is if one can overcome it and see it as a learning opportunity (virtual Yield Sign) instead of a reason to pack up and quit (virtual Stop Sign). On Sunday, Phil was far from perfect. He had his share of errant shots, missed putts, and general frustrations. However, he did not allow these things to stop him from playing on and staying focused on his goal: winning.
How have you allowed failure to hold you back from achieving the things you really want in your life?
3. Success is Not An “Individual” Achievement
As I watched Phil walk off the 18th green, hugging his caddie and finding find his family, I was reminded of all the people in my life who have helped me get to where I am. You cannot do it alone, and making sure you ask and take help is crucial to sustained success. In the craziness of our day, it’s easy to channel our tunnel-vision into our own one-person show. Find time in your day to figure out how to include others in your plans.
When is the last time you thanked your “team” and payed that feeling forward?
4. Leave No Doubt
I was reminded of the film “Remember the Titans” and Coach Yoast’s inspirational speech to his defensive football players. On the 18th green, Phil stood over his birdie putt, already knowing that he had won the 2010 Masters. He was about 12 feet away and could have easily just two putted for the win, but instead, drained the putt, leaving no doubt. When you have opportunities to succeed, do it with no fear and complete passion.
Be the best at whatever you do and success won’t be far behind.
