Why It’s Not Only About Showing Up Each Day

I was reading an awesome story the other day about the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus and realized that it touches on something I haven’t written about before. 

See, I’ve spoken about being consistent and doing what needs to be done day in and day out in order to live into the version of ourselves we’re inspired to create.

But it’s not only about showing up each day.

It’s also about our attitude towards how we show up. 

Enter Jack.

See, Jack Nicklaus, considered by many as the best golfer ever to have played, never missed a 3-foot putt.

One day, while giving a speech at a college, Jack mentioned this statistic proudly, along with the fact that he had never 3-putted on the last hole of a tournament.

Suddenly, someone in the audience pointed out that he had, in fact, done both.

Of course, Jack denied these claims.

The funny thing is, the man was 100% correct. Jack Nicklaus has missed a 3-foot putt and he has 3-putted on the last hole of a tournament.

But here’s why that’s important:

In his book How Champions Think, sports psychologist Bob Rotella points out that although what Jack was claiming might not have been entirely accurate, he refused to occupy his mind with thoughts of his mistakes, believing that there was no reason to remember a missed putt.

He goes on:  “A champion understands that it’s fine to savor an experience when it’s positive, to remember it, to celebrate it. When an experience is negative, he understands that he can’t let himself get stuck in it.”

Side note: Rotella was in the audience when Jack delivered that speech, and when asked about Jack’s claim, he simply replied: “Jack came here as the greatest player in history to share with you how he thinks. He didn’t come here to learn how YOU think.” Boom.

So why is all of this important?

Well, in case you didn’t realize it, I missed a day on Friday. No article. Nada.

(Ironically, it was this story about Jack Nicklaus I was going to share, which suddenly becomes far more relevant after slipping up.)

There was a lot going on and for several reasons, I never got a chance to sit down to write.

I thought about putting in a late shift to get it done, but then I decided to not allow it to affect my other priorities; Friday family movie night and getting my sleep in.

But for all intents and purposes, I still never miss a day. 

Here’s the thing…

You can focus on your mistake, or you can move right along and get back to being the kind of person you aspire to be.

Some will call it dishonesty. Others will call it developing a champion’s mind.

No matter what you want to call it, know that you have the power to choose what it means to you.

As for me? I never miss a day.