CLASSIC ZIG ZIGLAR

BY ZIG ZIGLAR

RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

The Driving Range

This afternoon, it was my privilege to hit some golf balls. It was extremely windy, and wind play is the weakest part of my game. Recently, our head pro, Eldridge Miles, one of America's truly great teaching pros and a genuine "people person," taught me how to hit a "knock-down" shot, designed especially to solve that problem.

My excitement with my newfound skill is understandable only to those avid golfers who learn a new shot that enables them to deal with a golfing problem. Today, I hit into the wind better than I ever have — it was unbelievable. I stopped in at the clubhouse to tell Eldridge how thrilled I was, and, needless to say, he was very pleased.

I mention this because though I have been playing golf for over 40 years, I still get excited when I head to the course — and especially when I learn something that will improve my game.

This excitement should transfer into other areas of life. Why should I get more excited about hitting a new golf shot than I would about a new method of communicating with my wife, children and others whom I love very much? They're infinitely more important, and most golfers would agree with that. The question is whether we display that same enthusiasm for our mates and children. Unfortunately, the answer in too many cases is no.

The question also is: Why wouldn't we get as excited about a new business strategy, a new leadership principle or a new management procedure that will make us more effective and thus more helpful in our occupations? The answer is: We should, and, fortunately, there are some who do.

The message is about excitement — not just golf — and the more we get excited about what we do, the better we will become at it. That excitement turns into a quest for learning and improvement. It's the first step in reaching the top.

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free email newsletter through [email protected].

Photo credit: Kirt Edblom