GreatLIFE Community,
YES!
I’ve played golf for virtually my entire life.
I love…mostly…everything about it.
My scores, inconsistency, and the number of golf balls I lose? Those I could probably do without. 😊
I’d consider myself an average golfer who gets out every other week or so. Golf has always been something I enjoy, but late this spring my dad presented me with an opportunity that made me a little uncomfortable.
He asked if I’d join him for the Longest Day of Golf fundraiser.
For those who aren’t familiar, participants spend an entire day on the golf course, raising money while trying to play as many holes as possible from sunrise to sunset.
My dad has done this event for more than 20 years and has played well over 150 holes in a single day.
As for me…
The thought of playing even 100 holes sounded exhausting.
I do my best to stay in shape, but I wasn’t convinced my body—or maybe even more importantly, my attention span—was ready for that kind of challenge.
Somehow…and I still don’t remember exactly how he pulled it off…before I knew it, I received the “Welcome!” email.
Apparently, I had already said yes.
There was no backing out now.
So I committed.
For the next several weeks, I made it a point to either play or spend time on the driving range at least once each week.
I wasn’t training to win.
I was simply preparing to enjoy the day.
Then the morning arrived.
It was absolutely perfect.
What I expected to be a long day of golf turned into one of the most memorable days I’ve had in a long time.
For more than thirteen hours, my dad and I played golf, sang songs, celebrated birdies with my dad’s famous birdie dance, shared meals, laughed, and talked about life.
One hundred eight holes later, we found ourselves alone on the golf course as the sun was setting, doing one final birdie dance.
Oddly enough…
Instead of being ready to be done…
We both wished there was just enough daylight left to squeeze in one more nine holes.
As I reflected on the day, I realized the golf wasn’t really what made it memorable.
It was everything else.
:
Lessons Learned
1. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you.
Had I let my fear or discomfort make the decision, I would have missed one of the best days I’ve had in years. Growth often begins with a simple yes.
2. Preparation creates confidence.
Once I committed, I started preparing. Those weekly trips to the range didn’t just make the day more enjoyable—they made me a better golfer. The same is true in life. Small, consistent preparation has a way of paying dividends when the moment arrives.
3. Don’t let the goal rob you of the journey.
I started the day thinking we were going to race from hole to hole trying to play as many as possible. After the first hole, my dad smiled and said, “I’m just excited to spend the day with you.” That simple sentence changed everything. Suddenly it wasn’t about the score, the number of holes or the golf. It was about the time spent, the conversations, the laughter, the meals and YES the birdie dances! 😊
Last month I wrote about taking time to press “pause.” This month reminded me why.
Sometimes the greatest moments in life aren’t found in accomplishing something extraordinary.
They’re found in fully experiencing an ordinary day with someone you love.
I’m really glad I said yes.
Around GreatLIFE:
One of our core values at GreatLIFE is providing a Quality Member Experience. While that certainly includes improvements to our facilities, it’s really about creating places where families make memories, friendships grow, and healthy lifestyles thrive.
Here are a few things happening around GreatLIFE this month:
- Youth Programs Continue to Grow – Hundreds of kids are participating in PLAYEverything, Sport Performance, Junior Golf Camps, Lil Linksters, and the GreatLIFE Junior Tour this summer.
- Recovery & Wellness – Be sure to take advantage of the Recovery Lounge, infrared saunas, massage services, and recovery amenities available throughout GreatLIFE.
- Make the Most of Your Membership – Don’t forget about free weekday bowling at Suburban Lanes (when lanes are available), Canaries Wednesday tickets, Washington Pavilion discounts, Great Plains Zoo discounts, and many other member benefits.
- Family Time – Summer is the perfect time to bring the family out for a workout, a round of golf, a swim, a meal, or simply time together.
- Member Experience Matters – Our teams continue to focus on Quality Maintenance Tours, One a Days, and countless behind-the-scenes improvements that help ensure every visit is a great one.
BOOK CLUB:
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
This month’s book, The Let Them Theory, was a mindset shift for me as Mel offers that much of the stress, frustration, and anxiety we experience comes from trying to control things that were never ours to control in the first place. Robbins challenges readers to let people make their own choices, form their own opinions, and live their own lives while focusing our energy on the things we can actually influence. The result isn’t caring less about people; it’s caring differently. By releasing the need to control others, we create more space for peace, healthier relationships, and intentional living.
Three Big Takeaways:
- You Can’t Control Others—Only Your Response
People will make choices you don’t understand. They’ll have opinions you don’t agree with. Instead of trying to manage their actions, focus on how you choose to respond. Peace begins when we stop carrying responsibilities that were never ours. - Protect Your Time and Energy
Every “yes” to unnecessary worry is a “no” to something that truly matters. By letting others own their decisions, you free up more time and emotional energy to invest in your family, your purpose, and the relationships that bring you joy. - Freedom Comes Through Letting Go
Letting people be who they are doesn’t mean lowering your standards—it means releasing the need to control outcomes. Ironically, when we let go, we often build stronger relationships built on trust, respect, and authenticity.
NEXT MONTH’S BOOK:
The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jaco Willink and Leif Babin
To the Journey…
Sometimes the greatest moments in life aren’t found in accomplishing something extraordinary.
They’re found in fully experiencing an ordinary day with someone you love.
To the journey,
Nick