Recently I have just started playing golf again after a four year break. It does seem like I am going around in circles, jumping from one hobby to the next at the moment trying to find something that I really enjoy doing. So for now my new hobby is back to playing golf.
During my game of golf today I started thinking and talking to my golf partner about why I actually stopped playing golf in the first place. And basically, frustration got the better of me because I couldn’t improve my game. I hit an all time low point and gave up simple!
With Golf you can’t just click your fingers and be instantly better, it takes time to learn and improve your game by learning, researching, lessons and practice. I gave up because I couldn’t get better or rather was struggling to get better without giving my game a chance.
Now I can’t recall a time where I have just gave up on anything other than golf. But the bottom line is ‘I did give up’ and for something as silly as a low point and not being able to get better…. Excuses excuses, and now I can’t help asking myself ‘HOW MUCH BETTER WOULD I BE NOW IF I NEVER GAVE UP….’ Would I have been better if I had stayed my course, practiced and gave myself more of a chance?
Now I am a little older and a little wiser I have realised that everything takes time and effort. And frustration itself is a big part of your learning curve and also something that must be overcome.
Dealing With It!
Take online marketing for example – I am currently working on two new products which will be released very soon. I have put in time, effort and overcome some new hurdles for which I need to learn some new techniques. Sure it was new and frustrating at times but I won’t give up, for the simple reason I don’t want to ask myself the question ‘WHERE WOULD I BE NOW IF I NEVER GAVE UP….’ I want to say to myself well done Daniel it paid off you never gave up and you done well!
Overcoming something as simple as learning a new business technique can be very stressful and make you feel like quitting, but it’s the inner strength that makes us great, the courage and passion to succeed that keeps us going back to building our business. We need to cast aside doubt and just go for it and don’t quit!
Is It Going To Work?
I hope so 
Here I am positioned a little way from the green on the 15th hole thinking about my next shot? “Ok I’m going to just hit it and try to get near.” Is this right? Would I do this with my online business? Would I create a product or write a post just to get near my goal? Of course not ‘Aim For the Hole Stupid’. If we spend our days trying to get close, trying to scrape by without focus, without giving 100% to the goals we strive to achieve we will always be near and never hit the spot.
If you find yourself in this position remember to aim for the hole. Not to get close but to nail it first time ‘Aim for the Hole!’ give it 100%, complete your goals and don’t look back! Then you will never have to ask yourself ‘WHERE WOULD I BE NOW IF I NEVER GAVE UP….’
Did I win my game today? Yes I did! Did I hit the hole? Eventually
Have you ever found yourself in a position where you feel you are not going to hit your goals, where near is all you seem to be?
Did you want to quit?
How did you overcome your obstacles?
Let me know
Related posts:
I have been online marketing since early 2005 where I started selling eBooks on eBay before the digital download ban. Once the ban took effect, I made the decision to take my business online and into general online marketing. eBooks were a good way to build affiliate revenue and mailing lists, but it was my blog and online marketing where I found my passion....
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Daniel
We all have times when we give things up. I stopped playing golf because I couldn’t afford the course fees and with 3 kids it’s hard to find enough spare 5 hours to go and play.
In terms of business you can get stuck in a rut, but going back to basics and doing the stuff you enjoy will pay off more than learning new things.
I’ll end with a golf analagy
If you have a favourite putter you should stick with it rather than hoping that the new more expensive model will work better.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your comments. I can see where you are coming from with this one, however we can’t ignore change and we must strive to improve and better ourselves.
I’m not saying ignore what works for you, not at all. But trying something new can be a good thing. Is the grass greener on the other side? How do you know if you don’t go and see?
I actually bought a new putter last week and it works!
Thanks for stopping by Andrew
Hey Dan,
You’re dead right there mate, far too many people give up at the first sign of struggle and then move on to something which they think they will find easier. The reality is that once you have given up with one thing, be it playing golf or Internet Marketing, then the chances of you giving up with the next are far greater. You will end up with multiple things started, but not complete, trust me on this, I’ve been there!
I soon learned that you need to take things ONE step at a time and don’t stop until you have COMPLETED each task.
This method also helps a lot with info overload!
So when I have a little more time I may take up golf and keep playing until I’m goo enough to whip your butt
Nice post Dan.
Regards,
Dave.
Dave Nicholson´s last [type] ..Free Report Online Marketing – The ‘REAL’ Truth
Bring it on Nicholson – Bring it on!
Cheers Dave!
Hi Daniel,
You are right when you said that everything takes time and effort and struggle is part of life, especially when someone is learning something new. And as Dave said the key to succeed is to do one task at a time and do not start a new task until the first one is finished.
Yes I have been there trying every method under the sun hoping that the next one will be the magic solution.
Great post Dan,
Steve
Steve Sant´s last [type] ..Who wants to review my new ebook
Hi Steve,
Good advice from yourself and Dave. However I fear Dave is a little guilty of crossing this boundary and does juggle a little sometime. But hey, if you can juggle then go for it!
Thanks Steve.
Hi Dan
Just loved your post and I can readily identify with it. Golf, work and life are all very similar in as much as you only get back what you put in. As a bad golfer of many years standing I do at times ask my self why I do it. The answer is because it gives me pleasure in many ways – light exercise, good company, beautiful views and occasionally a sense of achievement.
What it has in common with running a business is that if you must be clear in your mind of what your motivation is. If you have this, even when all seems at its worst you will have the resolve to take a deep breath and keep going. There have been many rounds of golf where the wheels come off but I know that if I just keep going it will get better. And guess what – it does!
I know that I will never make the time available to practice enough (if at all!) to make my golf better. But that doesn’t really matter because I know why I play golf. I know that I’ll never rival Lee Westwood or similar.
Business on the other hand is similar but different. I will make the time available to be the best I can. I will put myself through new challenges and learn new skills. I might never be a John Thornhill but that’s the hole that I keep aiming at.
Dan , keep up the good work and the golf. If you’re ever in the Milton Keynes area and fancy a round of bad golf………..
Best regards
Doug
Hi Doug,
We all need a piece of this my friend. It looks like you have your focus and know exactly what you want.
Thanks for the comments
Hi Daniel,
a really great post that sums up the frustrations that we have when we start, I really felt like giving up on Saturday I was so fed up with the hours I was putting in and not seeing much reward for it. Went to an exibition about Shackelton in the martime museum in Liverpool. I saw a quote by FRank Hurley expedition photographer “Find a way or make a way”.
I changed my attitude that day, result I’m still in it for the long haul. Its nice to know that others have the same feelings from time to time.
Cheers
Rob
Robert Corrigan´s last [type] ..What Is The Cheapest Way To Start A Business Part 1
Hi Robert,
There is nothing to stop you giving up for a day if you get a little tired as long as you remember your target and ultimate goal!
I have a favourite quote too – it’s by Edward Young ‘Procrastination is the thief of time’ I try to remember that when I’m doing nothing and should be doing something
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Dan,
Great article.
The ‘what if’ question.
I think we all go through what you have written at some point in our lives. some more than once!
However, most times we are given another chance to ‘have another go’ and the opportunity to get it ‘right’ the next time.
Not that we often do as we are human after all! and with built in faults!
Human History is littered with repeated mistakes.
Recently, I have been struggling with my own business and not been active at all. But my enthusiasm and motivation has been recharged by a 100 blog comment challenge started by Jacinta Dean and Steve King, and into which I have posted at http://richard-davy.com/internet-marketing-together-we-succeed-on-our-own-its-harder/ As a result I have now set a target to myself to visit and comment to 4 contributors a day, plus sharing, of whom there is now a list of 70 plus on my blog, which aim I hope to complete, as well as posting a daily log which will get me blogging again………but we shall see won’t we?
Thanks for your article, Dan, as it serves to reinforce my resolve.
Good luck with the Golf!
All the best
Richard
Hi Richard,
I will take you up on that offer sometime.
I spend quite a lot of time posting on blogs and reading them. I must admit the 100 comments challenge is taking it’s toll, but I’m having fun anyway!
Thanks for the comments
Thanks, Dan.
Gives me new impetus!
mary
Hi Mary,
Glad I could give you a boost! Thanks for stopping by
I like your philosophy. Our parents always preached, ‘if at first you don’t succeed try try again’.
Some of us have modified this to ‘if at first you don’t succeed to heck with it.’
I think that Dave Nicholson’s course is a great motivator. Your blog is terrific. Congratulations! Betty
Betty Locke´s last [type] ..LET’S GET RID OF THE PHONE BILL save money
Thanks for the comments Betty!
Whatever you do it takes dedication and the will to succeed. Dave is a good guy and teaches great info on how to get started online!
Thanks again for your comments
My Good Daniel,
You couldn’t be more spot on if you were the god of golf herself.
FORE! Dang, that almost hit me!
Keep playing hard, pal.
Barry the Banshee Blogger´s last [type] ..My Secret Blog Idea Plan – How To Appear Extweemly- Extweemly Intelligent
Hi Barry,
Thanks for stopping by Mr Banshee Blogger
Dan,
Those projects that I have had the most trouble with are the ones which had the least well defined expectations. It is when the goal is difficult to see or obscured by distracting side issues that I feel like abandoning a project. Just like in your golf analogy, not aiming for the hole is like stumbling along with an internet business hoping one day to “make it” somehow.
Clearly defined goals are a really good way to ensure our energies are expended in the most efficient and constructive ways.
Michael.
Michael Pedzotti´s last [type] ..Guess who is guest posting
Hi Michael,
It’s like what Dave Nicholson said at the start of the comments. Don’t overload yourself with too many projects and beware of info overload. One step at a time and one project at a time my friend, focus and you will reach your goals!
Thanks for the comments Michael.
This is really a great post about the particular topic and i am really impressed to know about it. I have read your full article and truly speaking that it was really very knowledgeable and very interesting. I think you are really very close on your points. Anyways keep it up and keep continue with your valuable thoughts. In the near upcoming future.
Tamara @ kids buzz lightyear costume´s last [type] ..Ace and Gary Costumes
Giving up is a very enticing option when we want excuses. Every achievement in life takes time, effort and work to materialize. When the mind starts resisting to challenge, we must then realize that we are starting to run away–and do our best to counter such propensity.
Hi Walter,
Excellent words of advice and inspiration thank you.