I was reading about the life of Annika Sorenstam who is often spoken of as the greatest female golfer of our generation.
During her 16 year Hall-of-Fame career she rewrote the record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf is played, viewed and covered.
I was very interested to read some of her thoughts and views whilst giving a speech to a 3M executive meeting in Minneapolis recently.
‘ Our life is a journey and it’s ever changing, whether intentionally or by pure circumstance. Our days, weeks, months and years are full of moments and experiences where we learn about ourselves and what is important in life.
When we talk about “growth” you may ask, “What is that?” I’m not talking about getting taller or bigger, I’m talking about personal growth. Do you want to improve yourself or do you want to be stuck in the same old routine?
As I see it, there are three kinds of people in the world. The first is someone I call a drifter. This person doesn’t know what they want to do, or where they want to go. They just kind of go with the flow hoping that good things happen or come to them.
The second group of people are individuals who kind of know what they like and sort of know want they want to do, but they have a fear of failure. They have a hard time committing to one thing and don’t like to take chances in case something happens that would make them feel uncomfortable.
The third and last group is made up of people who are driven – they know what they want and where to go. They have a plan, and every day they’re bursting with energy thanks to their passion, focus and determination.
Now, it doesn’t matter which category you’re currently in, as everybody can change and benefit from personal growth.
To grow as an individual and reach your full potential, you need to know yourself. You need to know your baseline and starting point. It means identifying your strengths, your values and your passions. You also need to know your weaknesses and other issues. Addressing your problems is critical, as if you simply run away from them; they’ll most likely find you again. It also helps to be aware of your surroundings and where you are today.
Individuals on this path keep learning. Making mistakes is part of the journey and the ongoing process. Viewed in this light, there is no such thing as failure. We learn from our mistakes, they educate us and they make us stronger and more determined. Be your best teacher and remember, the most valuable source of wisdom comes from experience.”
Food for thought for all of us.