Avoiding Sand Traps

I'm not a golfer, but yesterday I read a story about golf that captured my imagination. 

"A famous golfer, Lee Trevino, when playing casual games of golf would "mess with the minds" of his competition. He would be certain to emphasize the hazards of the course as his competitors were about to hit the ball. As a player was lining up for their tee shot he would be certain to remind them of the water hazard to the left or the sand trap to the right or the trees that may line the fairway. This would inevitably take the focus of the golfer from where he wanted to hit the ball to where he did NOT want to hit the ball. He would be focusing on what to avoid, not where he knew he should and could hit the ball. When he teed off where did he hit it? Many times to the exact spot he was trying to avoid. Why? Because he was focusing on that spot."

I write a lot about changing our focus from fixing a problem (number on the scale, size we don't like, or a concerning report from the doctor) to fixing our eyes on what we want to create in our lives.  In addition to the choice to fix a problem or create something we want in our lives, we also have to choose whether we're going to focus on the hazards along the way, and there are many, or keep our eyes on what we want. 

It's Friday, and your personal hazards may include the restaurant you like to visit after work, or potential hazards may be lurking in your weekend activities.  The holidays will be here before we know it and some of you may already be worried about how you're going to get through them.  All of these hazards, and others, can divert your attention and land you in a sand trap.

I'm not saying to ignore the hazards, because you have to know what and where they are.  You have to know what your strategy will be to avoid them (that's where planning is key).  But once you've identified what the hazards are and know how you're going to handle them when they arise, determine to keep your focus on what you want - look straight ahead and swing!

Where we choose to focus ultimately determines how successful we are.  Choose wisely :-)