Those of you who golf know this saying…

A bad day at golf beats a good day at work anytime.

I put that saying to the test today.

I played in a charity golf scramble for The Exchange Club of Jackson to benefit the Jackson County Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.  It was low 50’s and rainy all day including one driving rainstorm early in the round.  I never expected we would even play so I did not dress properly for the round.  By the end of the day I was soaked and chilled to the bone.

Yet to everyone who asked me, “How was the golf?” I responded, “Great!”

Was it out of reflex?  No.  I actually had a lot of fun.  And the reasons why hold lessons we can apply at work.

I had fun because I was doing something I love to do.  I love to golf.  I love the challenge of mastering the elements, mother nature, and my own body all at the same time.  I love the exhilaration of making a great shot, sinking a long putt, and bouncing back from a bad hole.

Do you love your work, the challenges, the exhilarations and the bounce backs?

I had fun because I was in good company.  We laughed, we joked, we lifted each other up.  We kept a positive attitude after every missed birdie opportunity, after every rain shower.  We helped each other out, picked up each other’s errant shots, encouraged each other to excel.

Do you work with good people who help each other out and lift each other up?

I had fun because I knew we were making a difference.  The regional president of the Exchange Club was there.  The former president of the National Exchange Club was there.  The people who were going to benefit most from the fundraising were there.  Just seeing the difference my paying to play golf would make was fun.

Do you make a difference in the work you do, too?

I had fun even though the weather was lousy, our golf was barely up to par (pun intended – we were three under par, the winning score was seventeen under par), I lost six golf balls, and I didn’t win the 32″ TV they gave away as a door prize.

But I cannot say it was better than a good day at work because I do love my work, I do work with great people, and we do make a difference.  If you have those three things, you have the envy of everyone.

I’ve had some pretty awesome days at work.  Now, had the sun been shining, though…

-Phil Wrzesinski
www.PhilsForum.com

PS  If you want to love your work, commit to a mighty goal.  If you want to work with great people, hire them.  If you want to make a difference, make one.