Golf & Brand Building: Patience, Progress, and Parallels

What Golf Is Teaching Me About Building a Brand

I opened my round with a birdie the other day. If you knew my golf game, you'd know how remarkable that is.

I don't say this to gloat. I say it because it's not the norm, and it immediately lulled me into a sense of irrational capability.

Building this brand can feel the same way.

The parallels between playing golf and building a brand are remarkable. I am constantly comparing myself to people who have come before me, with absolutely no reason to do so.

I'm stuck in a perfectionist's loop. I want so badly to be ten steps further along.

To put it in golf terms, it's like expecting to shoot three under without practicing.

Imagine a golfer who just bought some clubs at a thrift store. They've never visited a driving range, taken a lesson, or even played a full round. Maybe they've been to the pitch-and-putt or played some mini golf.

Then they walk to the back tees and expect to shoot under par.

It's ludicrous. You'd never expect that to be possible.

So why, when I'm building a golf brand with limited funds and even less experience, do I expect myself to already be miles down the road?

If this were a marathon, I'd still be tying my shoes.

Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

Other brands have been around for years. Their founders may have worked for fashion houses, built audiences before launching, raised money, or simply started from an entirely different position.

Whatever their position was, it isn't mine.

I am where I am.

Every step of this is going to be a learning experience. I need to play my shot—the one I know I can actually pull off.

It's important to put myself in scoring position, but I don't necessarily have to expect par every time.

Bogey would be wonderful.

Double is acceptable.

I just have to finish this round, because every round of golf gets you another step down the road. So show up. Play the round to the best of your ability. 

Then move on.

Don't spend too much time looking backward. Keep your eyes on the fairway in front of you. Oasis said it best, Don't look back in anger.