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Now I know how Tiger Woods feels

A couple of years ago Tiger made some changes to his golf swing, under the guidance of a new coach (Sean Foley), and while he is still considered a good golfer, he isn't the great golfer he was before making those changes. Some might attribute most of his problems to the break up with his wife, because that's when everything started to go a different direction, but I know better.

There was a time when I was a better than average bowler. I was able to average between 195 and 200 pretty consistently in all the leagues I was in, but like Tiger I wasn't satisfied.  I thought I could be better.

So I took a lesson.

The lesson was well worth while [or so I thought]. My "coach" helped me correct a number of problems I was having, and as the lesson progressed, I was feeling really good about my game.

Of course that was practice, and one thing I've learned from 30+ years in manufacturing, is nothing ever works in the lab, under controlled conditions, like it does when it gets into production. There are so many more variables that enter into the equation.

And there in lies the problem. Ever since taking that lesson, and changed my delivery/approach, like Tiger, I'm not the same bowler. I'm more consistent with my delivery (at least I think I am), but I find myself continually reverting back to bad habits, which combined with the new techniques, produces too many unwanted outcomes. The frustrating part is I know when I'm screwing up. I just can't stop it, and my game has suffered.

So what does a person do when faced with such a dilemma? Do you go back to doing what you used to do, what you've been accustomed to doing?  Do you fire your coach?

Tiger hasn't done any of that [yet]. He keeps persisting. I'm sure, he thinks, in the long run, it's what's best, and I happen to agree with him.

If you aren't striving for perfection, or at least trying to improve yourself, what's the point? All top athletes have a coach. Sometimes more than one. Whether it be football, golf, swimming, cycling, track and field, or whatever, the best athletes in the world, are the best because they are constantly trying to improve themselves. Those that don't are relegated to being mediocre (in cycling they're called 'Domestics').

The same goes for life. Resting on our laurels, never making changes, never encountering new experiences doesn't make us better. It just keeps us mediocre. Over a year ago I posted about bowling being a metaphor on life, but it's not just about bowling. Sports are a metaphor for life, and we'd all be better off taking a lesson from the best.

So in keeping with Tiger's philosophy I'm doing just that. Instead of giving up (which I'm sad to say, I have considered), I've signed up for a 4 day bowling camp in Vegas next month, put on by my current instructor, along with the help of a number of other professional bowlers.

Like Tiger I'm convinced it's the right decision.

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Ed Dignan said…
Great advice. Have fun in Vegas
11:35 PM
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