My laurels

When I started paying golf, occasionally, I would hit the ball flush. The rest of the time I did not, and I could not understand how.

At this point I booked a coach.

In the first lesson we established that my shots were inconsistent because every time I took a shot I was standing differently, holding the club differently and swinging differently.

Completely obvious, isn’t it? I had to pay to find out that if you do it differently each time you get a different outcome each time.

There is an analogy here with how client meetings used to go years ago.

"Bad" meetings had good outcomes and “good” meetings had bad outcomes. I assumed it was dumb luck - win some, lose some.

By this point I had read a ton of personal development books, been listening to audio of Tony Robbins and others. My mindset was positive, but consistency eluded me.

Then I worked with John Dashfield. We spoke simply, deliberately and deeply about listening and presence.

And guess what?

Being with someone (a client, partner, colleague, child), really giving them my attention makes for better outcomes for them and me. So obvious, so simple.

John cost quite a bit more than my golf coach, but then coaching sessions with John were infinitely more valuable.

When I do not check in on a golf shot - when I am not mentally there - the outcomes are not good. When I am not really there with a client, partner, colleague or child – the same thing.

But this is not really a piece on presence it is a piece about the enduring benefit of working with a good coach.

However successful and sorted you think you are, there is more to come, and a good coach will help you get it from you.

I have continued working with coaches since then and will continue to do so – why would I ever want to rest on my laurels?