Mike’s Motivation Monday

As 2024 comes to an end, it is always a good time to reflect on the year. Are you where you want to be? Are you heading in the right direction, or do you find yourself “stuck?” I heard that our life reflects our daily habits and choices. In other words, we get out of our lives what we put in. READ MORE

Last week was Thanksgiving and I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful opportunity to spend time together with friends and family. I also hope you were able to reflect a little bit on giving thanks and the power of two simple words… THANK YOU. READ MORE

During this week of Thanksgiving, I would like to share the abbreviated version of a story of gratitude recounted by Thomas S. Monson and told by H. Gordon Green in “The Thanksgiving I Don’t Forget,” which appeared in Reader’s Digest November 1956. I hope you enjoy this story during your 2024 Thanksgiving. READ MORE

What are your thoughts about consistency? Do you think it can contribute to your success or your failure? Well personally, I think it can be both. If you are consistent about the right things in life you can be leaps and bounds ahead of the next person or even your competition. READ MORE

We all have difficult parts of our jobs, and some jobs come with a lot of responsibility. Some of the things we are responsible for are hard, they can cause a lot of stress and apply a lot of pressure. Along with those hard things, we also have easier responsibilities and those should be the ones we always get right. It is so important to get the simple stuff right! READ MORE

None of us ever want to say that we have failed at something, but no matter how hard we try, no matter how solid of a plan we have, no matter how long you prepare or how careful you are, there is always a possibility of failure. READ MORE

I heard a great comment for people who are big goal setters. “You do not rise to the level of your goals you fall to the level of your systems.” As soon as I heard this comment and started to process it, I started to think less about the goals and more about the system. READ MORE

You won’t remember my name.
This is the last time you will see me at the top.
My doubts will destroy my dreams.
The more I seem to learn, the more I seem to lose.
I want to carry on, but not today!
This is the point I give up.

READ MORE

I am very fortunate to be a member of a golf course in Central Massachusetts. It’s a wonderful layout, has a lot of history, and is a treat to play. In my humble opinion it is always in fabulous shape and the greens can be its best defense against low rounds. Recently there have been a lot of members complaining about the green speed, and how it should be faster. Personally, I am fine with the speed, but the complaining seems to be spreading like wildfire and feels like a dangerous form of cancer spreading beneath the surface that will eventually reach the point where it can no longer be overlooked. READ MORE

A teacher conducted an experiment with her students. She started by asking each student to blow up a balloon and write their name on the balloon. Once everyone had done that, she asked the students to release the balloons into the room and mix them all up. READ MORE

In golf, when you win a hole, or make the lowest score on the hole, you receive the honor of teeing off first on the next hole in your group. Hitting first off the tee is a good thing, and it is a goal of every golfer to have the “honor” in your group. What about having the honor in life? READ MORE

A survey was conducted to determine which characteristic was a sign of success. After reviewing the survey there was one characteristic that emerged as a significant predictor of success, and it might not be what you think. READ MORE

Sometimes all we need to be motivated and start our week off on a positive note is to just hear a positive story. There isn’t much in the game of golf that is more exciting than making a hole in one.  Personally, I have only had one, and it took me over 30 years of playing golf to get it. READ MORE

Last week the New England PGA conducted our 104^th Section Championship where we crowned an amazing champion who is no stranger to winning. Eddie Kirby, PGA who is the ripe young age of 61, (the oldest NEPGA Professional to win this event) played three wonderful rounds of golf against a very strong field. Congrats Eddie, I look forward to your dinner selection at next year’s Champions Dinner! READ MORE

In April of 1912 the Titanic set sale for America. Most of us are familiar with the story or have seen the James Cameron film starring Leonardo Decaprio where this supposedly unsinkable ship struck an iceberg and tragically sank. 1,517 people died on that cold April day, and some wonderful lessons can be learned from a few of the people who chose to remain on board and go down with the ship. READ MORE

We all tend to go to negative town occasionally, and that is actually okay. It is fine to be negative about something, but for no longer than five minutes. During those five minutes you can complain, moan, grunt, cuss, hit drivers as far as you can into the woods, but once the five minutes are over, your negativity should be over as well. You can even set a five-minute timer on your phone if you must, but after those five minutes you must tell yourself, “I can’t change it.” READ MORE

Eighteen years ago, my little girl Cora was born. Being a new parent, the overwhelming responsibility for another human being was scary. After our first introduction to Cora, she was whisked away to be cleaned up, and returned with these cute little mittens covering her hands. Her fingernails were surprisingly long, and she had a scratch on her face, so the nurse said I put these mittens on her so she wouldn’t scratch herself again. READ MORE

Recently at one of our NEPGA events I was washing my hands next to a PGA Professional in the men’s locker room, and after he dried his hands with a few paper towels, he began to wipe down the bathroom counters and sink. I jokingly said to him, “I didn’t realize you were the locker room attendant at this facility,” and he just smiled and said, “there is never anything wrong with leaving something a little bit better than you found it”. READ MORE

I saw this picture and it really made me think. This sheep dog is lying there covered in his own blood. This was not caused by the sheep, but rather a result of fighting off wolves that were attacking his flock. In this picture you can see this one sheep providing comfort to the dog and saying thank you for what he did and sacrificed for them. READ MORE

A week or so ago there was a botched software update from the global cybersecurity provider, CrowdStrike, which caused worldwide disruption to computer systems. I had quite a few friends that had their flights or hotels impacted by the down systems. I was talking with a friend who works in the hotel industry about their issues, and she shared how through their preparation, they were able to deal with all the issues, even though her hotel was severely impacted. READ MORE

Since the start of the New England PGA Foundation, I have been around more of our veterans from various branches of the military. Through these interactions I have heard so many stories about the special bond and special friendships that have been forged, especially those who fought together. READ MORE

I was having a conversation the other day with a friend about playing golf during the pandemic. He said golf was such an amazing distraction because he was able to focus on the next shot, and not everything that was going on around him. Even if for only four hours. READ MORE

Last week we conducted our Assistants Championship, and it feels good to get one of our Section’s majors behind us. Later this month we will be conducting our Seniors Championship, and the NEPGA Championship will be right after Labor Day. This is also the time of year when facilities are hosting their Member-Members and Member Guests. READ MORE

People operate at different levels.  I find it very interesting to look internally and determine which one are you? READ MORE

Cornell University conducted a survey and they found that 85% of the things that people worry about never even happen. That number surprised me, because it seemed a little high, but then I began thinking about some of the things I worry about, and they very rarely happen. READ MORE

We all have heard Jim Nantz say his signature phrase prior to The Masters, the PGA Championship, NCAA Basketball games, NFL Football games or even at the Ouimet Banquet a few years ago in Boston. “Hello Friends” was a connection phrase he had with his father who was battling Alzheimer’s. He told his father in 2002 prior to the PGA Championship at Hazeltine that he would say “Hello Friends” when he got on the air. This would be their connection and his way of letting his father know he was thinking about him. He thought he would only do it once, but it stuck, and he has done it ever since. Even though his father passed away in 2008, he still starts every show with that signature phase, and for a flicker of a second he thinks about his dad. This allows him to feel comfortable, it calms him and relaxes him before the show, but more importantly it connects him with his dad. READ MORE

As the years pass there are many people who come in and out of our lives. There are those that we grew up with, those that we went to school with, there are those we have worked with and there are those that we have just met along the way. We all have friends who are there for us through thick and thin and know they’ll answer the phone if you call at 3:00 AM. We also know of those friends that you will call to round out your foursome only when all other options have been exhausted. READ MORE

In July of 2021 I wrote this article. Last week my daughter Cora graduated from Shrewsbury High School and thus begins our 18^th summer together. Going through pictures and recalling summer memories I can not help but get emotional thinking where has all the time gone. I thought that it was only fitting that this week I would rerun my article, and hopefully it serves as a reminder for those who read it back in 2021, and some advice for those reading it for the first time. I’m not crying, you are! READ MORE

Today is Memorial Day and sometimes I think it is a good idea to be reminded of what the real meaning of Memorial Day is. Many folks equate Memorial Day with the start of summer, the day pools open at country clubs, or having family cookouts and attending parades. That is all fine and good, but the real meaning is so much more. READ MORE

I heard a great story of how a ten-year-old soccer player scored 9 goals in one game. Originally, I just imagined a group of kids staring at butterflies or chasing after the ball as a group, but after I heard how he actually did it, it blew my mind. READ MORE

January 2007, in Boston Massachusetts, a man went into the subway (T) with his violin and began to play. He placed his hat at his feet to collect any donations/tips, and he played beautiful music for about 45 minutes. A few people would stop and listen, but many just went about their day not acknowledging the man or his music. READ MORE

My son’s 6^th grade class has been studying the universe and he has really taken an interest in this topic. He’s enjoying it so much that he has been watching videos on his own and sharing some fun facts with me every chance he gets. Thinking about the vastness of space really made me think about putting things into perspective. READ MORE

A couple weeks ago my family and I traveled to Florida for April vacation week. It was a much-needed vacation, and it will hopefully help to get my children across the finish line for the school year and help me prepare for the 2024 NEPGA season. READ MORE

We have all experienced pressure in our lives, but we do not all react the same way to it. If someone puts you into a pressure situation it is because they believe in you. The question is do you believe in yourself? If you want to see what a person is made of, put them into a pressure situation. READ MORE

There was this teacher who wanted to conduct an experiment with two of his classes. He went to one class and said the only assignment for the entire semester is that you must create the perfect clay pot. That’s it, just turn in one perfect pot. The other class’s assignment was to make as many clay pots as they possibly could make during the semester, and they would be measured by the number of pots they created. READ MORE

We are always told that stress is a bad thing, but there are times that stress can actually be quite helpful. When you are stressed, (there have been studies) your body can use it to your advantage. It can help you to focus, enhance your memory, provide you with an energy boost, and it can even bolster your immune system. How many times have you been stressed about an upcoming Member Guest, speaking in front of people, or meeting a deadline/goal? The stress of the situation can help push you across the finish line and help you complete the task. READ MORE

March Madness is always a great time for sports and if you have a team in the tournament, it’s great to watch and see how far they go in your bracket. Each year there are always a few upsets, and 2024 was no different. SEC powerhouse Kentucky was knocked out by the virtually unknown Horizon League Champions, Oakland. READ MORE

As the season approaches, the days will begin to get longer, and the stress levels will continue to go up. There are some folks that struggle in these situations and their first reaction is to complain. So much so that they will complain to anyone who will listen. I always loved the quote by Captain Miller in the movie Saving Private Ryan: “Gripes go up, not down. Always up. You gripe to me, I gripe to my superior officer, so on, so on, and so on. I don’t gripe to you.” READ MORE

Have you ever been told you need to learn how to listen? Or maybe you taught your children that they need to be good listeners? Now that the 2024 season is about to start in New England, what if you took the initiative to continue to be a good listener, but you learned to be the last to speak? READ MORE

Have you ever been at a party or on an airplane and someone you’ve never met asked you, “what do you do?” Of course, you have. More than likely you have answered that question so many times that you hardly put any more thought into answering it. At this point in your life, you may find it somewhat irritating to answer that question, but some of you might find it extremely exciting to have the opportunity to discuss what you do. READ MORE

I heard a great story about Albert Einstein in the 1920’s. He was asked by the press who he thought was the smartest man he knew, and his surprising response was his chauffeur. The press was intrigued by his answer, so Einstein went on to share that there was a time during his speaking engagements, when he became so sick and didn’t feel he was well enough to give his presentation, and was going to cancel. His chauffeur said, “don’t cancel the event, I’ll give your presentation. I have watched you speak 300 times and can give your presentation in my sleep.”  Einstein agreed and they decided that they would both switch roles. The chauffeur dressed like Einstein, and he dressed like his chauffeur. READ MORE

There are many people who will never get to experience what they are looking for simply because they never ask. The fear of making “the ask” can be paralyzing for some, but as we all know, you’ll never get a hit if you don’t swing the bat. When I was 14 years old, I went to my high school golf coach and asked him if he would introduce me to the Golf Pro at Mt. Pleasant CC because I really wanted a job in golf. That ask turned into a job in the bag room, which helped pay for college, which turned into an internship with the NEPGA, which ultimately turned into a full-time job, and 35 years later I still find myself in the golf industry. READ MORE

I started coaching my son’s basketball team during the winter of 2022/2023 and we had an amazing group of kids that went on to complete an undefeated season. Fast forward to this season and things could not have been more different. We started off with ten kids on the team, but as soon as I announced that our practices would be on Monday nights, I immediately lost four players to the Russian School of Math, and the Panthers were now a team of six. READ MORE

There are so many folks that have their major focus in life to be geared towards wealth. We need to change the conversation in society from wealth to happiness. Now don’t get me wrong, I love competition, I love to be successful, and there isn’t anything wrong with wanting to grow your business/operation and make money. READ MORE

I heard a story about this kid who was trying to catch fish and wasn’t having much luck. This old fisherman was watching him, and said, “hey kid, you’re not having luck catching any fish, are you?” The kid replied, “no, I’m not.”  The man said, “that’s because you are doing it all wrong. You need to cast your line when the tide is going out. That’s called the falling tide.”  As the tide started going out it stirred up all the plankton and the fish went crazy. They both threw their lines in the water and were catching fish left and right! After they caught enough fish the man said to the kid, “during the falling tide you can only make one mistake…and that’s not having your line in the water.” READ MORE

I heard the other day that one of the largest and strongest horses in the world is the Belgian Draft Horse.  The Belgian Draft Horse is so powerful that it can pull up to 8000 lbs.  To put that into perspective, a 2024 Ford F-250 weighs around 10,000 lbs.  So, these horses can just about pull a Super Duty truck!  Then the question was asked how much weight two Belgian Draft Horses can pull together.  My mind quickly went to 16,000 lbs, but I was way off. READ MORE

On a recent flight I watched the movie Money Ball. The Oakland Athletics used numbers and statistics to field a team that was actually competitive in the MLB. As they were analyzing the players the word consistency kept popping into my head. This player consistently gets on base. This player consistently bats around .300. It made me think about how important consistency is in our business and  life in general. Then I started thinking about what the longevity of consistency could do. READ MORE

There certainly have been a lot of changes in the Head Football coaching ranks as of late. Almost a quarter of the teams in the NFL decided to make a change, including New England. Losing coach Belichick signifies the end of an era with the New England Patriots, but it doesn’t mean the end of the New England Patriots. The team will still play their home games in Foxborough this fall, they will still lock horns with the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets twice a year, and we as fans will still have hopes of another Super Bowl run in 2024. READ MORE

I read this really interesting study that involved basketball players. One group of players were provided directions to give themselves instructional self-talk during their next game. These would include reminders such as what the plays are, who to pass the ball to, or when to shoot. These are very tactical things. READ MORE

At the start of every year people have the best of intentions to start the year off right.  I am going to eat better, exercise more, manage my finances more efficiently, be a better friend, ect… READ MORE

“I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree,” said Charlie Brown. “Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I don’t really know what Christmas is all about. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” READ MORE

Today is the 3 year anniversary of Mike’s Motivation Monday articles. I really have enjoyed coming to your computers and phones every Monday morning over the past three years! I hope that you have enjoyed a quote or a story, and it has helped you start your week off on the right foot.  READ MORE

There is one opponent that none of us living today can beat, and that’s time. Time is an undefeated champion, and none of us will outlast time. If we make an impact our name or our story may carry on throughout time for a little while, but at some point, even that will end, and time will continue. Time eventually gets all of us. READ MORE

At your next meeting start by asking your team how they found the blueberries. Now this certainly sounds like a strange way to start a meeting, considering none of your meetings probably include blueberries. READ MORE

Even though last week is behind us, the spirit of Thanksgiving can and should continue all year long. Simply saying “thank you” has the power to accomplish a lot. There is even research that suggests people who express gratitude tend to be happier, are more likely to maintain good friendships, and even have less stress in their lives. READ MORE

When a person is engaged in a conversation with someone, most of the time the person who talks the least is the one who wins the conversation. It is not meant to be a game, but rather an artform. Many people love to talk about themselves and will focus on telling the other person how important they are, share all the interesting things they are involved with or how “cool” they want you to think they are. They are trying to be interesting. READ MORE

What do Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have to do with you? It could potentially be a lot. There are thousands of Swift fans who now follow Kelce, but only a few weeks ago had no idea who he was. And on the flip side, there are just as many Kelce, Chiefs, or even football fans who now have been exposed to Taylor Swift. READ MORE

An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep. READ MORE

There are a few questions you can always expect to be asked during interviews. “Talk to me about a time you succeeded or failed” and “can you talk about some of your strengths and weaknesses” are just a couple. If you will be conducting any interviews over the next few months, take a look at this new approach to a common question. READ MORE

If you follow the NBA, I’m sure you know who Erik Spoelstra is, but you may not know his amazing story. Spoelstra started out working in the video room for the Miami Heat back in 1995, and then Miami Heat Head Coach Pat Riley immediately took notice of Spoelstra’s unparalleled commitment and his exceptional evaluation skills. READ MORE

Have you ever asked your employer for a compensation increase? It can be stressful and uncomfortable to do, but being prepared can really help. The NEPGA Employment Consultant and I are asked quite often if a person’s current compensation is in line with the market, if a compensation report can be produced to include similar positions/facilities, and assistance to help negotiate a raise. READ MORE

I just signed up to coach my son’s basketball team this winter and started thinking about what it means to be a coach and the influence coaches can have on the players. Then I started thinking about ways PGA Professionals can be great leaders to their staff/colleagues just like a coach: READ MORE

Early in his career at Michigan, Tom Brady was getting frustrated with his situation on the team and walked into the Head Football Coach’s office to complain. Coach Carr explained to Brady that he needed to stop worrying about everything and just focus on himself and the two quarterbacks that were ahead of him in the lineup. READ MORE

Have you ever heard of the red car theory?

If you are already at work while reading my Motivation Monday article, think about how many red cars you saw on your way to work. Can you picture them? Are you positive about the exact number? Chances are you really were not paying attention and are more than likely unable to confirm exactly how many red cars you passed on your way to work. READ MORE

Last week there was an event at my son’s middle school that included fun games for all the kids as well as eight different food trucks. The variety made it challenging to choose, especially when you have a finicky eleven-year-old. The Italian pizza, BBQ, hot dogs, tacos, ice cream, shaved ice, and yogurt covered strawberries trucks were all popular, but the one with the biggest line was the potato truck. The potato truck had all kinds of french fries and tater tots, with a plethora of topping options to cover your spuds.  Of course, this was the truck my son wanted his food from, so we jumped in the long line and waited. READ MORE

David Rockefeller was one of America’s first billionaires and he amassed a rolodex that had over 100,000 contacts. Rockefeller lived to 101 years old and after he passed, the Wall Street Journal was granted a sneak peek at what could be the greatest contact list of all time. What they found was not just a list of names, addresses and phone numbers, but Rockefeller would also take notes that included meaningful details about that person. READ MORE

Have you ever heard the saying if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say it at all? Well, what about when what you’re saying is about yourself? There are a lot of people that use self-deprecation to describe their golf game, their appearance, their weight, even their relationships. I know some folks do this in jest, but does your mind actually know the difference? I also know a lot of people who speak poorly about their ability to get a job, their knowledge of the rules of golf, claim their golf game is in the dumps, have no chance of dating a certain individual…I can go on and on. READ MORE

I once heard someone say that Amateurs practice until they get it right and Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong. This to me is a mindset that you can apply to almost anything. Sports certainly pop into my mind first. The amount of time and effort that professional athletes put into their craft allowed them the opportunity to get to that next level. They practiced until they couldn’t get it wrong, and those efforts put them above the thousands of other athletes in their sport. READ MORE

Have you ever heard the story of the two wolves?

There are two wolves, and they are always fighting. A constant battle between one another. One of the wolves represents darkness and despair, while the other represents light and hope. If you were a betting person, which wolf do you think wins the fight? READ MORE

Many people talk about staying motivated, but I have learned that many of the most successful people actually use discipline instead of motivation. The problem with motivation is that it comes and goes. Our feelings and our emotions can influence our motivation, which is why one day we feel motivated and the next day we do not. Just think about something you tried to succeed at, and then think about how difficult it is/was to stay motivated throughout the process. READ MORE

I recently played in a member-guest and my partner and I were paired with a current NBA player and his partner. The NBA player recently signed a two-year contract worth 45 million. He was humble, great to talk to, and he was extremely enjoyable to play golf with. He caught the golf bug during the pandemic and cannot get enough of the sport. His partner was so enthralled with the fact he was playing with an NBA player he kept talking about how great his life must be with all this money, the places he gets to go, the way he gets to travel, and the people he gets to be around. READ MORE

Last week the NEPGA conducted our Seniors Championship. During the rain delay I took a step back and looked around the room at the PGA Professionals that were in the field. This is my 26^th season with the NEPGA and many of the folks in the room were in their 30’s and 40’s when I first started. It’s humbling to see how fast time goes by and each of us cannot help to age and there definitely is no way to outrun time. READ MORE

This summer my son took a summer enrichment chess class. Each day he learned a few new approaches and plans of attack and wanted to play against me at night. I’ve always enjoyed playing chess and it’s fun to have someone to play against, especially an in-house opponent. My son couldn’t wait to try out his new moves, but I won the first game. He immediately wanted to play another game but was so focused on his new moves that I quickly won the second game. We played two more games that I also won, and I told my son that I was tired and was ready for bed. READ MORE

Anyone ever tell you: “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all?”

I received this advice long before social media, and certainly well before I started writing a weekly article to help inspire folks during their upcoming week. I am used to receiving feedback, and I am happy to engage in dialogue, especially when someone has thoughtful ideas regarding my articles. I have found it interesting over the years now, how sometimes people reach out with a fundamentally unkind tone or message, especially when it is either unnecessary or unwarranted. READ MORE

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right? What if the person you were thinking about imitating did things differently, or a little “weird?” That’s too embarrassing right? People are so afraid to be or look different than others, that many won’t even try something if it is going to make them stand out. I see this with my children all the time. They don’t want to do something because they might be “embarrassed in front of their friends,” or because “not everyone else is doing it, so I can’t be the only one doing it.” They are afraid to not look “normal.” READ MORE

There is a metaphor about the buffalo and the cows. They both have an amazing sense of being able to tell when a storm is coming, but they react differently. READ MORE

I heard an interview where an NFL coach had the opportunity to select a player they had at the top of the draft board, and was one of the best receivers in college, but he decided to go with a different player that was lower on their list. READ MORE

Yesterday was Father’s Day and I hope all the fathers out there were able to spend time with their children, and everyone without any children was able to spend time with their fathers. Unfortunately for many of us, our fathers are no longer with us, so this day can be a little more difficult than other days.  The one positive thing about Father’s Day, since I lost my dad, is I spend a little more time than usual thinking about him. Things we did, things I wish we did, and sometimes I remember the wisdom he bestowed upon me when I was younger. READ MORE

Did you know that the human brain is unable to comprehend the negative? It’s incapable of doing it. I’ll provide you with an example. Don’t think of a dinosaur.  See, a dinosaur popped into your head! READ MORE

I was listening to a coach talk about how he can tell if his athletes are committed or not. He looks for 5 things that will show him their level of commitment. Listening to these five things, I couldn’t help but think how relevant they are for golfers, colleagues/employees, or even as a self-assessment. READ MORE

We have a very old cemetery in my town, with some of the headstones dating back to the 1700’s. When my son was a little bit younger, he was in Boy Scouts, and one of his troops duties was to put American flags next to the graves of U.S. Veterans for Memorial Day. We started looking at the birth years and the years these individuals died to try and figure out how old each person was when they died. Many lived long lives, but a few died in their teens and twenties. My son would mention the year the person died and ask me if there was a war going on during that time. READ MORE

During high school and college, I worked in the golf business, so I learned at an early age the importance of being on time and the definition of responsibility. READ MORE

The Boston Bruins had the greatest regular season record of all time. The New England Patriots went 16-0 during the 2007 regular season, won two playoff games, but lost in the Super Bowl. Are both Boston sports teams failures? READ MORE

There is a simple rule of life that millions of people forget to follow every morning. It is so simple, yet it can contribute to stress, impact your health, and even cause you to gain a few pounds. I am not talking about drinking a big glass of water when you wake up or working out at the gym, I am talking about making your bed. READ MORE

Have you ever heard of the Rule of 100? The rule of 100 states that if you spend 100 hours in a year focusing on a certain discipline, you’ll be better than 95% of the people in the world in that discipline. It can be anything; golf, tennis, public speaking, fitness, learning a language, cooking, your level 2 PGA work, writing, swimming, chess …. you name it. READ MORE

How many of you currently own a dog, or have ever owned a dog? Think for a second about how your dog reacts when you get home. The dog is so happy and excited, wagging its tail, and wants to lick your face. Even if you just walked to your car for 30 seconds to get something you forgot, when you get back into the house, the dog is ecstatic with your return. READ MORE

There was a fisherman who was standing on the shore casting his net into the water to catch some crabs. At his feet was a five-gallon bucket that was already full of the crabs that he had already caught. Most of the crabs appeared to be content in the bucket with all the other crabs, but there was this one ambitious crab sitting on top of all the other crabs, and he wanted out. READ MORE

The other day I received a call from a potential NEPGA Partner when I wasn’t expecting it. I was with a friend and our daughters on a college tour trip in NC. I quickly shifted from college visit mode and began explaining the benefits of partnering with the NEPGA and our PGA Professionals. I love sharing the commitment the NEPGA has to new partners and how we truly want to make every partnership a win-win. READ MORE

I remember watching the Olympics as a kid and the U.S. Basketball team was comprised of the best college players in the country. Then, in 1992 the United States compiled the “Dream Team” to represent the Red, White & Blue and they were dominant. This team was stacked with Jordan, Bird, Magic, Ewing, Barkley, just to name a few. Since 1992 the U.S. has won the gold in basketball at every Olympics except for the Athens games in 2004. READ MORE

This winter I coached my son’s fifth grade basketball team.  I played basketball when I was younger, but this would be my coaching debut.  At the first practice I gathered the team together, introduced myself, met the players, and planned a few basic drills to test the skillset of the squad.  I am not sure who was more excited that day, the players, or me! READ MORE

A week or so ago many of us were watching as a bank run unfolded at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which is one of the most prominent banks in the venture capital, investment and start up world.  Things were spiraling out of control and within 48 hours the US Government stepped in to shut the bank down and take control.  Many were nervous because they were not sure if they would have access to their funds, especially above the $250,000 FDIC limit. READ MORE

Over the last few years, we have heard the term “Burnout” being used quite a bit.  I recently read an interesting article on something called Social Burnout.  I personally love networking, and love being around people.  The pandemic was difficult for me, because I am much better around people and struggle with only connecting over a phone/computer.  Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family, and I personally have social media accounts on multiple platforms.  I certainly go on my accounts to see what is going on with people a lot more than I make a post, but each person has their own social media engagement level.  But when is socializing either in person or online too much? READ MORE

I was listening to this US Olympian talk about her training routine for the Olympics.  The focus and training for an Olympian is at an elite level, and by the time we see them compete at the Olympics, they have spent countless hours preparing. READ MORE

Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” speech, though it was delivered more than 100 years ago, continues to have a lasting impact today.  Here is an excerpt from his 35-page speech that every leader should read to their team, every coach should read to their players, and every parent should read to their children. READ MORE

Each of us has a choice of how we want to perceive failure, and how we respond to failure.

Reggie Jackson struck out 2600 times during his career.  That number is the most strike outs by any Major League baseball player in history, but no one talks about the strike outs.  Reggie is remembered as Mr. October, and we remember his 563 home runs, way more than all the strike outs. READ MORE

When I was younger, I remember being difficult to my parents for things that I didn’t want to do, and I remember my dad telling me all the things I didn’t have to do.  “I didn’t have to work hard in life.  I didn’t have to train or practice.  I didn’t have to study or put forth a lot of effort in anything I was doing.”  He said, “Michael, you never have to do more than is required of you, and you never have to do anything that you don’t want to do.” READ MORE

If you are an NFL fan you probably tuned in for the Cincinnati Bengals/Kansas City Chief playoff game the other day.  It was a great game that came down to the wire, and there was a late personal foul penalty committed by Joseph Ossai that potentially cost Cincinnati the game.  There were millions of people around the country who witnessed that play and instantly became upset, especially Bengals fans. READ MORE

Are you a person who tries to focus on multiple things at the same time and expects to have the same success for each?

Have you ever tried to chase a rabbit?  How about two rabbits?  If you try to chase two rabbits at the same time, they both are going to get away. READ MORE

Michael Jordan missed more than 9000 shots in his career.  He lost more than 300 games while playing in the NBA.  There were 26 times during his career that Jordan was entrusted to take the final shot when the game was on the line, and he missed. READ MORE

A few weeks back a NEPGA member came by the office to see the Section’s new home.  I always enjoy it when our Section Professionals come by for a visit, so if you happen to be in the Boylston, MA area, be sure to stop in and say hello. READ MORE

Do you want to change your life?  The first way you can start this process is by cleaning your bedroom.  Your bedroom is an externalization of your mind.  This is a deep thought, especially for a Monday morning in January, but it is absolutely true.  Look at your bedroom as you.  Now I know many of you reading this will not think this way, but that is how it is.  Your room is you. READ MORE

Hello 2023 and Happy New Year everyone!

I am sure over the last few days you have had some time to reflect on the previous year. Maybe it was the most amazing year you’ve ever experienced, or maybe there are a few things you would like to change in the new year. Maybe you ate poorly and didn’t work out as much as you would have liked. Maybe you didn’t fight for what you wanted in your year-end review. READ MORE

Every day each one of us will go out to our vehicles, start them up, and head out to start our day.  If we are running errands or heading to work, there will be multiple times throughout the day when we will need to start our car to get us where we need to be.  For one second think about how many times you start your vehicle and feel thankful that it starts.  Unless we are in the middle of nowhere on a below freezing night, or in a low budget horror movie being chased by a man in a hockey mask yielding a machete, the thought probably doesn’t come to mind.  Can you honestly say that you are thankful every time your car starts? READ MORE

Celebrating two years of Mike’s Motivation Monday

I heard a story that I would like to share about a man named Ryan Estis.  Ryan was traveling through the Minneapolis airport a few years back on Christmas Eve, and he had an interaction with a barista that day that would impacted his life forever. READ MORE

I heard a story about a professor that conducted an experiment with his students using balloons.  He provided each student with a balloon, asked them to blow it up, write their name on it, and then throw it into the hallway.  Certainly, intrigued about where this was going, each student complied and soon the hallway was filled with many balloons. READ MORE

There are so many wonderful lessons that we can learn from playing sports.  Teamwork, selflessness, leadership, just to name a few.  Golf is the perfect sport that is reflective of how many of us should live our lives.  Do the right thing when no one else is looking.  Can the same lessons be learned from soccer? READ MORE

At the NEPGA Annual Meeting a few weeks ago I had some wonderful conversations with NEPGA Professionals, many of which I had not seen in quite some time.  During one of the conversations a NEPGA Member told me that he played more golf this year than he played in the previous year.  Excited to hear that, I said, “that’s great!”  He replied, “last year I played 18 holes and this year I played 27 holes.”  I inquired if he was injured and he said, “no, just too busy.”  My response was, “I am sorry to hear that.  That is awful.  I hope that is something you can change.” READ MORE

How many of you reading this would call yourself a procrastinator?  Since the beginning of time, human nature has shown that human beings put things off.  Some are such experts at putting things off that they ultimately never get to them.  We all tell ourselves; we will do something when we have a little more money.  When we are a little bit older.  When we finish another project.  When we have more time.  “We can always do it tomorrow.”  And then tomorrow comes……and nothing happens. READ MORE

Do you remember Blockbuster Video?  At one time they were a behemoth of a company where you would visit their stores and rent a movie.  They were so big and so successful they even sponsored a college football bowl game.  Today with all the different streaming services, the convenience of picking up a movie and bringing it to your home has become even easier that we never have to leave our couch. READ MORE

Think for one second about all the hats a PGA Professional wears.  (Remember the badge ad?)  A PGA Professional is a manager, instructor, mentor, merchandiser, player, leader, friend, parent…I could go on and on.  A PGA Professional’s day is jam-packed with so many things it often feels as though it is very difficult to go from one to another and cross things off your list.  READ MORE

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz was asked what the secret to his amazing success throughout his career was, and his response was “we WIN every day.”  WIN was an acronym that Holtz built his career upon, and what he drilled into his players; “What’s Important Now?”  He encouraged his players to continuously ask themselves that question throughout each day.  Whether they were in class, at practice, at a party, in the middle of a game, it didn’t matter, because asking themselves that question helped them determine what the most important thing for them was to be doing at that moment. READ MORE

In 2010 the Executive Director of the NEPGA left the Section suddenly in September.  Joan Stuart, Jacy Settles, Ron Green, and I held down the fort for the last 3.5 months of the year.  (Michael Packard was a big help too!)  Making it known that I was very interested in the Executive Director position, I put my head down and treated the time leading up to the interview process as an on-the-job interview. READ MORE

I was listening to musical artist Babyface during a speaking engagement he was attending. He spoke to a group of aspiring musicians about his career and how he got to where he was, and then it turned into a bit of a Q & A session. The kids were very excited to be speaking with one of the most talented singer/song writers in the industry. Babyface was talking about motivation and managing your motivation once your focus begins to slip. We can all relate to our personal motivation slipping while working on a project, and his special method turned a light bulb on in my head that I implement in my own life. READ MORE

I heard a story about a kid who was failing out of high school. As bad as he was doing in school, he promised his mother that he would take the standardized SAT test. He took the SAT exam expecting to fail, since he was doing so poorly in his classes, but he actually scored a 1480 out of 1600! READ MORE

As the golf season winds down in New England, this is the time when PGA Professionals interview for new positions, negotiate contracts, and have annual reviews. Now more than ever being prepared for these situations is paramount. Having difficult conversations with department heads and owners can be uncomfortable, but with the current employment climate (not just in the golf industry) these difficult conversations need to happen. Unfortunately, it may be up to you to start the conversations, or they may never happen, and if they never happen, nothing will change. READ MORE

Every single one of us is valuable in our own way. We all bring something to the table and offer our employers our own unique perspective, skillset, and knowledge. At times we have all questioned whether we are compensated accordingly compared to our counterparts at different facilities, or in similar roles. There is no standard compensation for Head Golf Professionals around the Section, there is no regionalized first assistant weekly salary, and lesson rates vary from one facility to another. We also look at some of our benefits compared to what others have and wonder if we are valued the same. READ MORE

I heard a story recently about a PGA Professional who entered the golf business later in life.  Trying his hand in a few different industries, he decided to take a leap of faith into an industry that he has always loved. This is a move that I highly respect and admire, but I know how difficult of a decision it can be, especially when a wife and children are involved. There is sometimes a lot less risk when you are taking that leap on your own. READ MORE

In the early days of my career, I thought I could help everyone.  I thought that being in the service industry my entire life meant that it was my mission to try and assist everyone I could.  When someone would complain I would drop everything I was doing to try and “make things right” for them.  Then I started to realize that some people didn’t actually want me to “make things right,” and complaining was just ingrained in them. READ MORE

Did you know that the Guinness Beer Company started the Guinness Book of World Records because pub sales were down?  The company wanted their sales to grow, so they conducted a lot of surveys and realized that people talked quite a bit about trivia while they were at the pub.   Realizing this, Guinness decided to create the Guinness Book of World Records, so that the people in the pubs would talk about all the crazy world records, reinforce the Guinness brand, and then order a pint of Guinness.  I think this was a genius move by Guinness since who at some point in their life hasn’t considered attempting some silly activity to create a world record of your own? READ MORE

10 Things That Require Zero Talent: Being on time, work ethic, effort, energy, body language… READ MORE

I recently taught my son how to play chess and he and I have been playing quite a bit lately. If you know anything about the game of chess, you know the goal is to get to the point where your opponent’s King can no longer make a move. Once the king is trapped, the winner declares “checkmate” and the game is over. READ MORE

During his post tournament interview after winning this year’s RBC Heritage, Jordan Spieth made a comment about what he did that helped him win.  Jordan said that “he focused on staying external.”  Personally, I think this great advice can not only be applied to help us on the golf course, but in our daily work and personal life as well. Just as long as we understand what Jordan means. READ MORE

While trying to build our building, work my day job, and be present with my family I found myself going in different directions by the minute. Most of the things I am responsible for are important, and what I struggled with was understanding the difference between those things that are urgent and those things that are important. READ MORE

No matter where you work, what position you hold, or how long you have been there, you are always going to have people who disagree with you and make your job a challenge. Some may have an agenda; it could be the result of conflicting personalities and it may simply be that the person is not your biggest fan. I have seen this happen at clubs many, many times. The PGA Professional is dealing with a boisterous member who does a lot chirping around the bar, complains how things are run, and doesn’t truly have any idea what is involved or why things are done a certain way. You can’t wait for this member to leave the club, or for their term on the board to expire, right? READ MORE

In 1996 I walked into a small, 700 square foot office in Wakefield, MA located at the Colonial Hotel and started my internship with the NEPGA. After a few weeks I learned that we were moving from the Colonial to Hillview CC in North Reading, MA, and this is where we would remain until our under-construction office was completed at the Cyprian Keyes GC. After one season at Hillview, I helped the staff pack up the office once again and we headed west. We would enjoy 10 great seasons at Cyprian Keyes, but eventually our lease expired, and we packed up and moved for a third time (4^th location) into a small building right down the road that shared space with the U.S. Post Office. READ MORE

I grew up in a small central Massachusetts town called Shrewsbury. Most people who grew up in the area have heard of Shrewsbury because of an old General Store that was a staple in the community called Spag’s. Spag’s was the nickname of the store owner, and it was a one stop shop for everything you could ever need. It was a Walmart or a Costco, long before they ever existed. READ MORE

The most efficient and effective teams (family, business, athletics) can learn a lot from a pack of wolves moving together from one place to another. Wolves live in highly organized and efficient packs, and the role of each member is clearly defined. Similarly, to these wolves, successful teams thrive where teamwork, loyalty, and communication are the norm. READ MORE

Some of the best advice I ever heard was feedback a colleague of mine received during his employee review. The comment in his review was you are “Resistant to Change.” We would joke and have a good laugh about that comment for years, especially during review time, but it always made me think about change and whether it is a good, or a bad thing. READ MORE

One day my son and I attempted a ropes obstacle course. If you have never tried one, they are very fun and can be quite challenging. At this location I was extremely impressed with their harness system. It was used to keep each of us safe from injury, but it doesn’t remove the feeling of discomfort as we navigated the course. Excitement and safety are a great combo, especially when you are with a 10-year-old! READ MORE

Yesterday was Father’s Day and it is always a great day that I spend with my children, but it is also a day that I think about my own father. When you are no longer able to see a person, you can not help but think about the special time you were able to spend with them. I can not help but think if I maximized the time I had with them, or if I would have done anything differently. These reflections make me think about a poem I read called The Line, and I would like to share it with all of you on this Motivation Monday. READ MORE

As a little experiment I would like you to think about how many times a day you say, “I’m Sorry.” Then try and remember throughout the pandemic how many times you said, “I’m Sorry.” I am sure that it is a lot higher than you thought. READ MORE

Many of you are leaders of a team, leaders of a staff, even leaders of an event.  There are so many characteristics of great leaders, but one that we don’t always hear a lot about, but one that is extremely important in our profession, is being visible. Being a visible leader. If your team can’t see you, then how can they follow you?  If your members do not see you and you are not visible to your membership, then how can they believe in and support what you are trying to do. READ MORE

Memorial Day is a day of ceremonies, speeches and parades.  Today is a day that we honor the deceased men and women who lost their lives serving our country.  We recall and reflect on their sacrifices, their valor; and we remember that they gave their lives for us.  They gave their lives so that we could live. READ MORE

Last week Golf Digest published an article by Shane Ryan that was titled ’The Club Pro Crisis’. This article hits close to home for many of us working in the golf industry. There are stories of PGA Professionals sacrificing their own quality of life for what? READ MORE

It is extremely hard for me to comprehend that 25 years ago this past weekend I graduated from college. I remember it like it was yesterday wearing my burgundy cap and gown and sitting under the old oak trees at Elon College in North Carolina. I was the last graduating class before Elon rebranded as a university, and my closet only has one retro Elon College sweatshirt remaining. Leaving North Carolina a few days later I said goodbye to many friends that I have not seen since. Not because I don’t want to, it is just unfortunately what happens as life/careers make it a challenge to get together. Especially when everyone moves all over the country. READ MORE

This year at the Oscars we all witnessed the slap heard round the world when Will Smith walked up on stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face, because he had just made a joke about his wife Jada’s haircut. Smith followed up his slap with some yelling at Rock from his seat, to “Keep your mouth off my %#$@ wife!” There is no place for violence in a situation like this, and very rarely is it the answer in any situation, but I am sure that in the heat of the moment, Smith was enraged by Rock’s comment and in his mind, he was defending his wife. READ MORE

I’m sure if you try and answer the question in the title of this article you will follow it up with a little justification in your mind for your opinion. There are conflicts going on all around the globe.  Social media is creating judgement and personal comparison to others. People are lonely, education and health care are too expensive, and the workforce/job market is all over the place. READ MORE

Bill Belichick is one of the most successful NFL coaches of all time and he has eight Super Bowl Championship rings to prove it! Six of those rings came as the head coach of the New England Patriots and two came as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. When Belichick started his coaching career, he was far from the coaching genius that he is considered today.  Many consider him to be one of the most knowledgeable and experienced coaches to ever wear a headset, but there is one thing that has never changed throughout his career…his work ethic. Belichick is, and has always been, a workhorse! READ MORE

So far this spring it has been great to see so many NEPGA Professionals at the Section/Chapter Meetings. At a recent chapter meeting we were trying to have a positive discussion on why PGA Professionals attend meetings. What are their reasons? Inevitably the conversation flipped to why people are unable to attend meetings. Working/not being able to get away seemed to be the most prevalent reason/excuse. READ MORE

I was at The Home Depot recently and with me came an unorganized list of items that I needed for a few at home projects. The vastness of The Home Depot is organized and without guidance I more than likely will eventually find everything I am looking for, but I am not ashamed to ask for help. The first employee I encountered was walking quickly and saw that I was obviously looking for something. He slowed down a bit and said, “what are you looking for?”  I replied, “I need to replace a doorbell,” and he quickly responded, “isle four”, picked up his pace, and was off in a flash. READ MORE

Growing up a basketball fan in the 80’s and early 90’s I was very fortunate to witness some great NBA rivalries.  Celtics versus Lakers, Bird versus Magic and Michael Jordan versus everyone!  As much of a Larry Bird fan as I was growing up, it is hard to debate that Michael Jordan isn’t the greatest basketball player of all time.  Jordan commanded the respect of his teammates as well as every player on the opposing teams.  He was the player you wanted to have the ball when the game is on the line. READ MORE

At the end of last year my third contract with the New England PGA was set to expire.  With gas still in my tank, a love for my job at an all-time high and with a lot still left to accomplish for the NEPGA, I informed the board that I would like to extend my contract.  After months and months of grueling negotiations with President Belden and Vice President Bradshaw, both sides were able to come to an acceptable agreement, and I was honored to sign a five-year extension at the 2021 NEPGA Annual Meeting. READ MORE

St. Patrick’s Day was last week, and many Irish celebrated with a Guinness, some corned beef and cabbage, and possibly an outfit involving a lot of green.  You also see a lot of four leaf clovers, hear about “the luck of the Irish,” or talk about people who seem to be very lucky.  We all know a person who always seems to get that “lucky” bounce out of the woods, wins on scratch tickets, or seems to always have good fortune in their life.  This started me wondering if some people can actually be luckier than others, and if it is possible, how can I become luckier? READ MORE

Last weekend I tuned in to watch the Duke vs North Carolina basketball game, not only because it is one of the great rivalries in all of college sports, but because it was Coach K’s last home game as the coach of the Duke Blue Devils.  I matriculated at Elon University in North Carolina and for those 4 years I don’t think I missed a single Duke/UNC game.  The state might as well have shut down during these games because it seems like everyone was tuning in to watch that amazing rivalry. READ MORE

I don’t think I have ever come across a PGA Professional who didn’t enter the golf business because of their passion for the game.  Most will say they chose a career in golf because they were passionate about the game, they had a love for the game, and they found that they loved sharing the game with others.  To me that sounds like an amazing opportunity.  You are in an industry that you love, you have a passion for what you do, so how could that be bad? READ MORE

Every industry has seen record turnover during the pandemic and the golf industry is no exception.  Not only is the golf industry seeing record turnover, but we are also experiencing more golfers coming back to the game, taking up the game, or simply playing more golf than ever.  If you also add in the component of a reduction in people joining our industry, we are witnessing almost the perfect storm brewing right before our eyes. READ MORE

How many times in your life have you told someone to “mind their own business,” or how many times in your life have you been told to “mind your own business?”  More than likely, probably not enough.  If you think about your life in terms of following rules or being told what to do, you will realize that more than likely it has been happening your entire life. READ MORE

Many great leaders are self-aware of how they are viewed by others, and they have the ability to actually embrace feedback or criticism, but there are many others who cannot.  As PGA Professionals I think it is very important to be self-aware of how you view yourself and how you are viewed by others.  I recently read an excerpt from Mike Zani’s book, The Science of Dream Teams, that I would like to share. READ MORE

Throughout my many years working with employment I have met with many GM’s, club officers, board members and committees that were in full panic mode because their PGA Professional had either resigned or been let go.  Either the career consultant or I will receive a phone call from these panicked individuals begging us to post their open position as soon as possible or their facility could implode.   “We need to get someone in here as soon as possible!  Can you post the job today?” READ MORE

The NEPGA recently conducted a survey to gauge the comfort level of our PGA Professionals and Partners to travel to the PGA Show in Orlando, FL.  I found it very interesting to read some of the comments and personal opinions on the travel restrictions and Covid policies that would impact travel. READ MORE

One of the first lessons I was taught by my parents was to say please and thank you.  It was something I tried to instill in my children at a young age as well.  I’m sure you recall many times as a child being asked the question, “what do you say”, before or after you were given something.  Every time I visited a friend’s house my parents always reminded me to say thank you to their parents before leaving.  Saying please and thank you shows someone that you appreciate their efforts, their gesture, or their gifts. READ MORE

Many of you have heard me talk about the things we do in the unseen hours that help to make programs, events, even people a success. Working to get better when no one is looking differentiates oneself from others in their industry. I am certainly not the same Executive Director that I was when I started 12 years ago, and I certainly did not grow or find success by working 9 to 5, Monday thru Friday. READ MORE

On January 4, 1950, my father born in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Three years ago today, on January 10, 2019, my father lost his long battle with Dementia.  That was a difficult day, and if you know someone who had Alzheimer’s or Dementia, you know there were many difficult days leading up to that day.  That disease doesn’t define my dad, and before he got sick, he loved to play golf, he loved music and he loved his family. READ MORE.

How prepared are you to take on your day?  How prepared are you for the entire 2022 season?  Sometimes it comes down to basic preparation and being ready when and where others are not.

John Wooden, the former basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins, won 10 national championships, including seven titles in a row! READ MORE

Does your facility or your operation perform at a high level? US Navy Seals are one of the highest performing organizations on the planet.  I watched an interview with a former SEAL who was asked during the interview, “who makes it through BUDS?”  “Who makes it through the selection process to become a SEAL?” READ MORE

As children we all looked at some of our parents’ habits or tendencies as annoying or at times embarrassing.  Then, as parents ourselves, we create similar situations with our own children that allow us to put how our parents acted into perspective.  Many of us have become those same “annoying or embarrassing” people. READ MORE

Ten years from now, it won’t matter what you shot in that golf tournament, it won’t matter what type of golf shoes you wore, or what type of clubs you played.  What will matter is how you lived, how you loved, and what you learned along the way.

I am not telling you something that you don’t already know or something you have not heard from plenty of other people, but most of us go through our days being easily distracted and we get derailed by the insignificant.  Especially when it comes to work. READ MORE

A few weeks ago, we were finally able to conduct our 2020 and our 2021 Awards Banquets.  Those two evenings are such special events for the award winners and their families.  It is great to see the best of the best in New England and to celebrate them in front of their friends and families. Winning a Section Award is something that should be celebrated.  Each award winner is the only PGA Professional out of the 1100 we have in our Section to receive that special honor for the entire year.  It is special and huge honor! READ MORE

Best practices can be extremely valuable for coming up with new ideas for your operation.

I constantly connect with my fellow Executive Directors to learn about their member programs, education topics, tournament formats, partners, etc.  Those conversations are so valuable and keep pushing me to do more with the Section to keep things exciting and new.  I also love sharing some of the successes we have had in New England to help my fellow ED’s and Sections around the country elevate their games whenever possible.  READ MORE.

During this week of Thanksgiving many of us have much to be thankful for.  There are many others who are struggling this time of year and sometimes one simple act of kindness is all that is needed to turn around someone’s day or even life.  I recently read this story about an experience had by a cab driver, which hopefully will inspire each reader to be just a little nicer this holiday season.

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes, I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift, I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked. “Just a minute”, answered a frail, elderly voice.  I could hear something being dragged across the floor.  READ MORE.

In September of 2010 the Executive Director of the NEPGA suddenly left his position and the NEPGA ship was left without a captain.  At the time, we were a very small staff and there were only four of us left to oversee the operation.  Knowing that we were not going to immediately have a new Executive Director, we all took on a few more responsibilities and our goal was to make sure the Section didn’t skip a beat, and the membership was not impacted.

Over the next few weeks I did a lot of soul searching about what I wanted to do with my career, and I decided that I would apply for the open Executive Director position.  I approached the leadership at the time and asked them for the opportunity to serve as the interim ED.  I tried to sell them on my years of service to the Section, my industry knowledge and my desire to be in that position.  The leadership appreciated my efforts but decided that it is in the best interest of the membership that a national search be conducted, and the proper diligence be done in this process.  READ MORE.

A couple years ago the NEPGA Employment Consultant, Facility Relations Committee Chairperson and I conducted what we referred to as “Career Check Ups.”  Each check up was scheduled for about 45 minutes and this was an opportunity for NEPGA Professionals to ask us questions about the industry, review their resume and cover letter, work on their career goals/aspirations, or what ever else we could discuss about employment that might be helpful with their careers.

We wanted to bring this service to the membership and attempted to conduct one check up session in each NEPGA Chapter.  We tried to schedule between 6 – 8 PGA Professionals each day, and the range of the attendees varied.  We had Associates, Head Professionals, Directors of Golf, Assistant Professionals looking for a Head Professional Position, suspended members and even a few new members to the Section.  This exercise was as valuable for me as it hopefully was for each of the attendees, and I look forward to bringing it back this offseason.  Hopefully there will be an interest.  READ MORE.

It was great to travel to each chapter meeting this fall and see so many NEPGA Professionals.  In many cases this was the first time in two years (non-virtual) that I was able to see certain people.  It was like running into old friends that I had not seen in a while and picking up right where we left off.  I think it is so important that we continue to gather at our Section and Chapter Meetings, as it is an important part of our business and our industry.  There is no better way to network, engage others that are experiencing the same things you are, and be a part of the association of which you belong.  READ MORE.

Author Seth Godin tells a story about a time when he was driving through the countryside.  As the trip dragged on, he and his fellow passengers were amazed by how many cows they passed.  Just the sheer number of cows they were looking at seemed as though they were being surrounded.  Everyone in the vehicle could not stop talking about all the cows.  “Look at the size of that cow.”  “All those cows over there are sitting down.”  “How much do you think that cow weighs?”  But then something happened.  The cows ceased to be interesting. There were so many of them that they became expected or boring. That’s when Seth realized that to be truly remarkable, a cow would have to be purple to stand out.  If there was a giant purple cow in the middle of the hundreds and hundreds of cows in the field, it certainly would be noticed.  How could it not be noticed?  READ MORE.

In April of 1911, Louis A. Biuso was born in a small town in Italy where life was extremely difficult.  Food was scarce, money was even more scarce, and as a small child his family decided to move to the United States.  Louie’s father Anthony was a barber by trade and a proud Italian who wanted to live in an area of the United States with a strong Italian population.  When he arrived in New York he searched for someone who spoke Italian, and when he found that person he asked, “where do the Italians live?”  That man could have said anywhere, but the town he uttered was Milford, Massachusetts.  Anthony purchased a bus ticket, a sticker was put on his chest that said Milford, Massachusetts and off he went.  READ MORE.

This entire year many of us have felt like circus performers juggling flaming swords at both home and work.  There are so many companies in our industry that have been wrestling with broken supply chains and lack of a labor force, it doesn’t feel like we have had much relief.  Add in the consistent flow of golfers at our facilities and we find ourselves having to say no more often.  READ MORE.

When I was younger, my father would come home from work and the first thing he would do was grab the newspaper and for the next 45 minutes we knew he was going to read the paper from cover to cover.  This was his way to unwind after work, and my sister and I knew that once he was done, we would have dinner and he would then have the rest of the night to be with us.  We all know of people that have their own unwind routine after a long day at the office.  Maybe it is a glass of wine or scotch, maybe it is hitting the gym or going for a run, maybe it’s even something such as cooking or meditating. READ MORE.

It is now officially the employment season in the New England Section.  The employment season is typically when PGA Professionals or facilities decide to make a change.  This is also when contract negotiations begin, and PGA Professionals negotiate their compensation for the following year.  Currently the number of NEPGA Professionals who have filled out their compensation profiles is quite low.  This does not allow us to produce strong, supportive data, and at the end of the day it could hurt you in your efforts.  If you have not filled out your compensation profile yet, I implore you to do so.  Help me to be able to help you and your fellow PGA Professionals.  READ MORE.

At 8:46 AM on September 11, 2001 I was sitting at my desk in the NEPGA Office on the second floor of Cyprian Keyes GC, in Boylston MA.  A friend of mine called me a few minutes later and told me that a small plane had flown into the World Trade Center.  Ironically, I had recently watched a documentary on the construction of the Empire State Building, and how it was so strongly constructed, that in 1945 a B-25 Bomber flying from New Bedford, MA to LaGuardia Airport flew into the side of the building.  Sadly 14 people were killed that day, but the building held.  READ MORE

This year I have had a few conversations with PGA Professionals that claim their managers are not very good at managing.  Some of these cases are a result of a new manager doing something for the first time, but sometimes a new manager will hit a roadblock that might not have to do with inexperience.  READ MORE

The 101^st NEPGA Section Championship was played last week and it has always been one of my favorite weeks of the year.  There are many reasons why it is my favorite but being able to connect with many NEPGA Professionals over the three days, the ability to work closely with two amazing facilities, and the NEPGA team gets to put on a show are just a few.  READ MORE

In the spirit of today’s Section Championship, I would like to share a quick motivational story from the 1976 NEPGA Championship.  Each Section Championship has its own special feel, its own logistical challenges, and memories that the participants will hopefully have forever.  2021 will mark my 25th NEPGA Championship and I certainly have my share of great stories.  From back-to-back victories to first time winners; from runaway wins to sudden death playoffs.  The NEPGA Championship is never short on excitement, but one of the most exciting finishes almost never happened. READ MORE

By August we are all up to our eyeballs with the golf season. Nice weather and club events are keeping us busy and engaged at our facilities. During this time of the season I am always asking PGA Professionals “How are things going at your facility?” and I follow that question up with “How is your family?”  READ MORE

The advice given in the following story always makes me think, and my hope is that you can relate, and it will do the same for you.

The story goes: The father, who was a chef, took his daughter to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot. READ MORE

There are many benefits to being a PGA professional. The ability to make your living around the game that you love, the ability to share your passion and help others enjoy the game of golf, the power to impact lives as a mentor, a leader, a role model, and to be a part of a fraternal community that extends well outside a PGA Professional’s home section. READ MORE

Towards the end of 2020, I started to hear about the “great resignation,” and the unprecedented turnover of employees at businesses.  In April of 2021, almost four million employees left their positions in the U.S., and our industry was not immune.  At this pace nearly 25% of the American workforce could be changing their jobs this year.   In the New England Section I have had many pandemic related conversations of: “I am not sure how much longer I can do this,” or from some of the younger PGA Professionals, “I am not sure if this career is right for me, or I am not sure if I am right for this career.” READ MORE

At the age of 14 my high school golf coach came to me and asked, “the golf pro at our home course is looking for some help in the bag room.  Do you have any interest?”  I couldn’t say yes fast enough!  That next Saturday I showed up at Mt. Pleasant CC (now The Haven), met my new boss Art Harris, PGA, and that is where I would spend the next six summers.  In the summer of 1996, while working at Mt. Pleasant, I also started an internship with the New England PGA, and by the Spring of 1997 I was hired on full time by the NEPGA.  My summers were right where I wanted them to be….around the game of golf! READ MORE

Starting a season strong or even starting a round of golf strong is all well and good, but it’s how well you finish that matters.  My best round of 2020 included a shank and a double bogey on the first hole.  For me, sometimes an early or mid-round reset is needed to start a comeback for what ends up being a great round. READ MORE

During the 1950s, Curtis Richter, a professor from John Hopkins University, conducted brutal and inhumane experiments to demonstrate the power of hope and resilience over a difficult situation.

Richter’s experiments involved placing rats into buckets filled with water to see how long they survived.  He used both domesticated rats and those that were caught in the wild.  Most of the domesticated rats would initially swim around the surface, then dive to the bottom of the bucket to explore their situation, but after only about two minutes they would give up and drown. READ MORE

This Motivation Monday comes to you on July 5th, which is the observed federal holiday of our nation’s independence. We celebrate the 4th of July, or Independence Day each year, but it was actually July 2, 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of declaring themselves independent of British rule.  July 4, 1776 was the day the Declaration of Independence was finalized and written. READ MORE

A few months ago, I wrote about starting your day by eating a live frog.  Once you finish eating the live frog the rest of your day will be a breeze compared to that!  There is another method that expands on “eating a frog,” that’s called the Ivy Lee method.  The key distinction however is that it sets the stage for success the day before. READ MORE

Ever since I was a little kid I was taught about freedom of speech and how it was a constitutional right of all Americans.  It is a principle that guarantees we have the right to share our opinions and ideas freely, without the fear of legal ramifications or censorship.  READ MORE

Stress is a real thing.  We all have a certain amount of it in our lives which can impact our mood and even potentially impact our health.  Many of you reading this carry around an unhealthy amount of stress on a daily basis.  Jobs, a spouse, children, traffic, and even the weather can all contribute to our already stressful days.

This time last year we were right in the middle of a global pandemic and my stress level was at an all-time high.  The uncertainty of not knowing what was going to happen in our industry, not knowing when we were going to be able to conduct any of our events, and worrying about all of our Section PGA Professionals was wearing on me. READ MORE

Golf is viewed as an individual sport, but to have a successful golf operation you need more of a team atmosphere.  To have a successful team atmosphere, you need to be a good teammate.

One of my favorite NBA Players of all time is Steve Nash.  Nash was an exciting player to watch and I always enjoyed seeing how he made the others around him better.  When Nash won the league’s MVP award after the 2004-2005 season, he amazingly led the league in only two categories – assists and touches.  It wasn’t scoring or rebounding.  It wasn’t playing time or field goals.  He led the league in high fives, fist bumps and butt slaps.  Nash was the ultimate teammate.  He was the player you wanted on the court with you, and he was the player who brought out the best in you.  Not only do you want a few Steve Nashes on your team, you want to be a Steve Nash. READ MORE

Memorial Day is a day of ceremonies, speeches and parades.  Today is a day that we honor the deceased men and women who lost their lives serving our country.  We recall and reflect on their sacrifices, their valor; and we remember that they gave their lives for us.  They gave their lives so that we could live.

In 1863, President Lincoln spoke at a ceremony in Gettysburg and reminded the American people that through their deeds, the dead have spoken more eloquently for themselves than any of the living ever could.  He said that the living could only honor the dead by rededicating themselves to the cause that they willingly gave their last full measure of devotion. READ MORE

How many of you have heard the saying “you can learn a lot about a person by the way they handle themselves on the golf course?”  Or “if you cheat in golf you are going to cheat in life.”  Now these certainly are bold statements, but their purpose shows how ethical our great game is, and you absolutely can learn a lot about someone during a round of golf.  As a member of Worcester CC, I am reminded of these ethics every time I play the 11th hole and see the plaque commemorating the time Bob Jones called a penalty on himself during the 1925 U.S. Open.  It may have cost him the championship, but when questioned/praised by reporters following the round he responded: “you might as well praise me for not robbing a bank.”  There was no question in Jones’ mind that he must to what is right and play by the rules. READ MORE

In high school I wasn’t a big vacation reader, and I always dreaded the choices when the summer reading lists were distributed. Then one year a book by Robert Fulghum titled All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten was one of the options.  It was an easy read, and quickly became one of my favorites.  At the time the shared life lessons made sense to me, but they are even more relevant to me today, and this certainly is a book I will suggest my own children read. READ MORE

Over the past fourteen months we have all had to shift the way we look at life and certainly our own personal perspectives.

Just like many of you I looked at my surroundings and was reminded that being the Executive Director of the New England PGA is what I do, but it is not who I am.  You may be a PGA Professional, a sales representative, or a Section staff member, but that does not define who you are.  At my core, I am someone that feels inspired to help and serve others and help them improve their situations or even how they perform at their respective positions. READ MORE

Do you think you deserve a raise at your job?  Do you feel the hours you put in, the dedication to your position and what you bring to your facility warrants an increase?  Unfortunately, that’s not going to cut it. READ MORE

Like many of you I have social media accounts.  I peruse them often and occasionally I might even create a post.  Every individual has their own engagement level on social media, but recently I have noticed a trend, especially by the younger generation, that all major and not so major accomplishments/life activities “need” to be recorded and shared.  Some in almost an over the top cinematic fashion.

When I was a kid the rhetorical, yet philosophical saying was: if a tree falls in the woods and there wasn’t anyone around to hear it, did it actually make a sound?  Do you think today’s expression is the same, or might it sound a little more like: if a tree falls in the woods, but it wasn’t posted on Instagram, did it even happen? READ MORE

Last week I wrote about productivity and how the creation and utilization of To-Do lists can help with your success.  Sometimes our lists can become rather long and if there are one or two large items on the list that you are avoiding, it can lead to procrastination.

Procrastination can kill the momentum of a project or an operation, and from the research I have conducted, there seem to be four types of procrastinators.  Let’s see if you fall into one of these categories. READ MORE

How many of you put together To-Do Lists and try to be more productive?  I am a To-Do list guy and I will admit that when I am able to cross things off my list I feel a sense of accomplishment.  Unfortunately, when I cannot cross items off my list I feel like they are hanging over my head until I finally am able complete them.

I try to start each day with the best intentions.  I am going to get up, eat a healthy breakfast, workout and start my day.  Life typically gets in the way as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning and it takes a lot of effort to remain motivated and productive.

Maximizing my productivity is very important to my daily success and learning how to maximize my productivity has become a life skill that I continue to try and work on every day.  It is no big secret that the more productive you are the more successful you will be at performing your job. READ MORE.

Good things come to those that wait…or at least that is the saying.  I believe good things come to those who work hard, but also to those that spend time to focus on what they can control in their life.  Wasting time on things that are out of your control is only going to slow down your progress and hinder your success.  I find myself sharing this message with my teenage daughter quite often.  Stop worrying about things that are out of your control, it is not worth it! READ MORE

Great things are rarely achieved by just one single person.  One person may be awarded the credit, but usually great things are accomplished by a group of people who are committed to an overall goal.  As the golf season rolls out in New England having solid teamwork at our facilities is essential to conducting successful events and having a successful season.  READ MORE

If you have been an avid reader of my Motivation Monday’s I first want to thank you for taking the time to join in my thoughts for a few minutes each week.  I’m sure you can tell that I enjoy reading and learning from some of the great minds of business, life, motivation and success.  This week I am going to allow Steve Jobs to provide us a little Motivation Monday, including me.  These were some of Jobs’ last words on earth, and in my humble opinion they are spot on.  READ MORE

Have you ever noticed when you meet someone their first question is always where are you from?  And their second is what do you do for work?  The perception of a person based on their job can create an image that a person is cool, or extremely smart, or even wealthy.  It can create this image that can become synonymous with a person’s identity.  Where we work, or what we do for a living can give us a feeling of belonging, self-esteem, recognition or even define our status.  I know it’s only a job, but a strong work identity for some people can even have an impact on their personal wellbeing.  READ MORE

A friend of mine mentioned that if I wanted to put life into perspective, I should read the book “Chasing Daylight” by Eugene O’Kelly.  It took me a little time to get to it, but I listened to the audio version, and I’m sure glad that I did. READ MORE

How many of you can recall a manager who used to push you? How many of you would agree that their push led to getting the most production out of you?  There are so many different leadership styles and qualities.  Some of which can inspire and motivate, while others, well….not so much.  Steve Jobs’ leadership was…READ MORE

Whenever I am with someone and we meet a person they do not know, I always try and do my best to make introductions.  I never want to leave someone standing alone and not part of the conversation.  It’s inconsiderate for starters, but it can make the situation uncomfortable for everyone involved. READ MORE

Recently I listened to an interview with former Ultimate Fighting Champion Frank Shamrock (born Frank Alisio Juarez, III).  At one time Shamrock was pound-for-pound one of the deadliest men in the world.  He was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as a four-time defending undefeated champion. READ MORE

PGA Professionals come in contact with so many people day in and day out, and the number of individuals impacted by a PGA Professional throughout their career is difficult to tally.  There are many different systems used by people to live a successful life and have a successful career, and I’m always fascinated to learn of how individuals apply these methods personally. READ MORE

This time of year there is quite a bit of preparation in our industry, and I certainly work with many PGA Professionals to help them prepare for job interviews.  The preparation that goes into this process can be extensive and the hours and hours that are needed just for a thirty-minute interview can be significant.  Preparation, or lack of preparation, is something we can relate to almost every aspect of our lives. READ MORE

Two weeks ago we talked about the importance of never getting too far from the basics.  The most basic concept that we all have is our time.  Respecting your time, appreciating your time and utilizing your time wisely are key components to your happiness and success. READ MORE

On this day of remembrance for the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I thought it only fitting to talk about him during my Motivation Monday article.  I thought I might try and read some of his speeches and look at some of his quotes for inspiration, but I put my head down and the next thing I knew two hours had passed. READ MORE

In 2019, during my speech at the NEPGA Spring Meeting I shared a story about one of my friends from college.  His name is Alan Stein and after graduation from college Alan became a performance and strength coach that worked with some of the most elite high school basketball players in the country. Many of the athletes he worked with are now household names from their time playing in the NBA. READ MORE

During our family dinner on New Year’s Eve we were reflecting on 2020 and the changes we would like to see in the upcoming year.  My son Connor was trying to make a point about how much he despises remote learning and became jumbled up on what year it was and said 2020…. paused for a few seconds, and then blurted out ONE!  It sounded like he was saying 2020 Won READ MORE

As the year from Hades comes to an end and you consider what New Year’s Resolutions you will attempt to keep in 2021, it might be a great time to review 2020 through your minds reflective lens and think long and hard about what lessons you’ve learned this year that could possibly help you in the future. READ MORE

I heard a story that I would like to share about a man named Ryan Estis.  Ryan was traveling through the Minneapolis airport a few years back on Christmas Eve, and he had an interaction with a barista that day that would impacted his life forever. READ MORE