Failure Taught McIlroy Winning

He now sees the beauty of failure

22 year old Rory McIlory was one of the biggest news makers in professional golf in 2011. This young and phenomenally talented golfer captured the imagination of the golf world as he surged to the lead in last April at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Unfortunately, the pressure was too intense and he blew a 4 shot lead with a final round 80. 

The key is how you react
Many observers worried that this crushing failure would scar his psyche and as it had so many other golfers in the past. This was a devastating loss and a huge disappointment. The way Rory responded proved again that it’s not what happens to you it’s how you respond to what happens to you. McIlory told Brian Keogh of IrishGolfDesk.com “the Masters was huge for me, it was a huge disappointment at the time but reflecting upon it… it was probably the most important day of my career so far.” In fact, if I look back on my career in 20 years that day in Augusta was probably the defining moment in my career. It was definitely the point where I reached the crossroads in my career where I could keep going the wrong way or really take responsibility for myself and say ‘right, this is what I’ve got to do to get better and win, and improve as a player.’”

He re-evaluated everything about his game. He worked hard to improve weak areas. He made a lot of adjustments in his entourage, his support team and even changed his agent. He took responsibility for all areas himself and positioned himself to win.

Take responsibility and good things can happen
A few short months later, the young golfer had a completely different result in a major championship.  He electrified the golf world with a decisive victory at the US Open – which many say is the most challenging golf tournament of all.  Because he had taken responsibility for his previous collapse he was able to stay strong and handle the pressure when it came time to win again.  By winning he sent a loud message to us all that if you respond the right way to devastating failures in your life it can open the door to even more staggering successes.  

Failure can open the door to winning, it all depends on how you respond.  

Everybody Feels Sorry For Themselves

Of course we do...

We can understand when we get out of sorts, that we occasionally start to feel sorry for ourselves.
That’s normal. You get sick, have an accident, have money problems, relationship problems and you get down.  You start thinking everyone has it better than you and for at least a little while, you get down.
But surely not the super successful.

How could they?
They have fame and the adulation of millions. Everyone loves them. They make insane amounts of money. They live a protected and luxurious life. Vacations anywhere in the world for as long as they want and whenever they want. They are friends and on first name basis with all the other famous people.

That’s great, but it doesn’t help when you feel overwhelmed. Listen to Sylvester Stallone...

The Whine

When you're on top and you lead the parade, everyone's there throwing lilies and lilac water on your head. But when those parades have gone by and there's a storm in your heart, there are very few people that are going to sit there and listen to you bemoan life.

The Response
“Of course not Sly! Grow up! If you need a friend—GET A DOG! Don’t expect me to ever feel sorry for someone making millions and living a dream fantasy life like you!”

Isn’t that what you’d like to say to him?
That’s probably what the needs to hear, but maybe in a kinder way. You probably would be right, but here’s the point... Regardless of their success, wealth and fame, they have the same emotions as everyone else.
Inside everyone is dealing with the same issues. Regardless of how successful they seen to you, how above the cares of life they may appear...Inside, they are just like everyone else.

As shocking as it may seem, when it comes to emotions…They are just like you.

Make Sure It's Worth It

You'll never get it off the ground unless you believe it's worth working for.Before you do anything, make sure its worth it.

Because if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. When you do things right it takes extra effort. It’s effort you don’t mind making because you have decided it's worth it.

But if you aren’t sure, you’ll cut corners. You’ll do it in a half-hearted way. You’ll waste your time. And as a result you’ll surely fail.

Keep this in mind:

Everyone underestimates how hard it is to do something new. Everytime you price what a new project, house or business is going to cost, you underestimate. Everytime you estimate how long a project will take, you underestimate. So realize, in spite of your best efforts, anything you decide to do is going to take much more effort and money than you think.

In fact, when you start something you don’t how long or how much it will cost to wrap the thing up. One thing you don’t want to do is get half way through and stop.

So before you start…make sure it's worth it, or you’ll just waste money and time, and be left with a sour taste in your mouth.