The Perfect Perfectionist...58
Not Letting Perfect Be The Enemy of Great
Sports psychologist Bob Rotella wrote, “…perfectionism in a personality is like the seasoning in a stew. A dash makes the stew rich and flavorful. More than that can ruin it.” On one hand, it can provide us with drive, desire, and energy. On the other hand, it can be the source of unrealistic expectations and debilitating disappointment.
Few players better epitomize golf perfection than Ben Hogan. Eventually, Ben arrived at a realization about perfectionism. “I stopped trying to do a great many difficult things perfectly because it had become clear in my mind that this ambitious over thoroughness was neither possible nor advisable nor even necessary.” This in no way held him back from putting in hours of practice. He did not let perfect be the enemy of great.
The possibility of playing better on the next shot, the next hole, the next round, the next year is a seductive and motivating part of golf. The perfect perfectionist is the golfer who knows what is required to control the golf ball, puts in the necessary practice to improve and maintain skills, and accepts achieving success in increments.
Bottom Line: Perfect has never been necessary to win a skin or win a tournament. A few good shots or a few good holes is all that is needed for a round to be perfectly satisfying. Seeking perfect is only a problem when we let perfect be the enemy of great.
Each Thursday we’ll bring you a helpful insight.
Swing to the Target,
Ed
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