Fore!!!

I'm standing at a golf course, watching a five-year-old at his group golf clinic. He hits a good shot and gets super excited. A few swings later, he misses completely.

His excitement disappears. He's disappointed, convinced he'll never be able to do this.

When he gets to putting, he's struggling. "I'll never hit the hole," he says, deflated.

"Look around," I tell him. "Not a single person here hit it either. It's about practicing repetitions and getting a feel for it."

But watching him swing between pure joy and crushing defeat, I realize I'm seeing something bigger. These ups and downs are exactly what running a business feels like.

One day you're on top of the world. The next day, you're convinced you've lost your touch. The emotional rollercoaster is identical.

What strikes me most is how he responds to encouragement. When I acknowledge any improvement, even the near misses, his whole demeanor changes.

That positive reinforcement transforms him instantly.

This is what we all need in business. The ups and downs aren't the problem...they're part of learning. But we forget to give ourselves and our people the encouragement that makes the difference.

How often do I celebrate the near misses?

How often do I reinforce positive results, even when the final outcome isn't perfect?

We get so focused on hitting the hole that we forget progress happens through repetition, through getting a feel for it, through hearing "good try" when we're getting closer.

That little guy is still learning. But with the right encouragement, he can't wait to practice again.