Your Next Best Shot

Recently, I took my golf clubs out of the lower-level closet, found my golf shoes and golf glove, and headed to the golf course.

After convincing myself I only needed two sleeves of golf balls (it’s never enough), I teed up my favorite golf ball and took aim.

• The ball was perfectly placed on the tee

• My stance was perfect

• Visions of glory were firmly in place

• My swing felt smooth

• The contact was solid

But the ball hooked sharply to the left, sailing deep into the thick, unforgiving North Carolina woods.

I spent five minutes hacking through the tall grass and thorns, frustrated, searching for my favorite golf ball. I couldn't find it.

“I saw the ball go right here.  Where could it possibly be?”

We spend so much of our lives searching the woods for things that are already gone.

• A missed opportunity

• A past mistake

• A poorly written e-mail

• A text message that “auto-corrected” the wrong way

• A meeting we wish had gone differently

We wander through the thorns of regret, getting scratched and frustrated, refusing to move forward until we can fix what has already been lost.

You cannot change the last swing.

We need to take the time to reflect on what went wrong and how it could be a better result next time. We must learn from our mistakes so as not to repeat them.

This Friday, reach into your pocket. Pull out a new ball.

Step back onto the fairway and take your next best shot!

Unit Next Friday,

Rob