Snorkeling in Rough Waters

The following is a story is taken from Matt Linklater’s new book “QUICK WITTED”.

A few years ago, I took a four-day trip to South Beach. The weather was fantastic. It was sunny and 80 degrees every day. I had intentions of just relaxing and hanging out by the pool, but one day I decided to plan an excursion, and selected an enjoyable snorkeling trip—or so I thought.
The day started out great. I boarded the boat and had a relaxing ride. The sun was beating down on my face and the wind was in my hair.

Then, the terror began.

The boat stopped and began to rock back and forth so violently that when the right side came up you couldn’t see the shore, and when the left side rocked up you couldn’t see the horizon. I started to get ill.
To add insult to injury, the skipper happened to be a guy I played football against in college. Not only did he beat me on the field, but now I was getting sick on his boat!

In the end, I was so ill that I couldn’t snorkel and I had to just sit on the boat in misery until the expedition was done. They told me that if I looked at the horizon or the shore that it would help me feel better. This proved not to be 100 percent true. What really helped was staring at the shore knowing that in just an hour I would be back safely on dry land. Finally, we arrived back on the shore, eventually my stomach calmed down and I was able to enjoy the rest of the day and the rest of my vacation.

This experience is what most of face from time to time, whether in business or our personal lives. We all have goals and aspirations—but we often hit rough waters. Do not focus on the rough patch, but focus on your clearly defined goals, your horizon.

The reality is that we have all been in rough waters from time to time. We may have had some rough times in the economy over the past two years. I know I have not been immune to the tough times. In the past two years, my fiance and I, have had an immediate family member pass away, a serious illness with an immediate family member, we both have been laid off, she moved across the country, the list goes on. We have found the horizon for us are clearly defined goals. The more we push towards our dreams, desires and vision, the less we wallow in the rough waters.

The Golden Bear

My best friend Ernie called me today about a presentation he is doing this evening.  Ernie is speaking in front of Ameriprise Financial Advisors as I am writing this.  Ernie wanted a good opening story for his presentation.  I gave him the following story directly from my new book “QUICK WITTED”.

Jack Nicklaus is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. In his 25-year career, he accumulated a record 18 professional major wins and in addition, he won eight majors on the senior tour.

Several years ago, Jack was asked by the King of Saudi Arabia to come play golf. After declining many invitations, Jack finally said yes.

The King sent his private jet to the states to fly Jack over to Saudi Arabia, where he stayed with the King for a week. They spent each day playing 36 holes of golf. During the week Jack ate and lived, well, like a king.

At the end of the week, the King asked him, “Jack, you came and played golf with me. I greatly appreciate you taking the time.  Is there anything in the world that I can possibly do for you?”

As all of us would do, Jack declined. He said, “I couldn’t possibly. We played golf.  I ate and drank like a king. There is nothing I could possibly ask for.” The King persisted. Finally, Jack said, “You know what? I collect golf clubs. Buy me a golf club.” The King replied, “Great!”

On the way back to the states, Jack was again on the King’s private plane.  The King’s jet was gaudier than anything that Donald Trump could even imagine, decked out in gold and jewels.

Jack started to fantasize about the golf club that the King would send him. He thought it might be diamond-encrusted, jewel-encrusted or possibly solid gold.

Jack returned home, a few months passed, and he had forgotten about the golf club. But after three months, Jack received a certified letter in the mail from the King. He opened up the letter and inside was a deed for a 500-ACRE GOLF CLUB!

The moral of the story is that the King thinks bigger than Jack. Jack was thinking a golf club and the king was thinking GOLF CLUB!

THINK BIG!