I began to play this game age 9. My dad put some metal spikes in my loafers, transforming them into golf shoes. I loved the sound of spikes hitting concrete, irons clanking in the bag as you walked, and best of the all that beautiful sound of a solid shot. Some of my best early memories were early am rounds – alone; just not by choice. Mom would drop me off at the course as it was getting light. The golf pro would let a group of us kids sneak out before the first tee time. Oftentimes I would be the fifth dude. Odd man out. So, I would tee it up alone. Still loved it, just not as much as when playing in a group.
Fast forward to today.
Still love the game. Still love playing early. Here’s the change. I ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ to tee it up alone. This week checked the box of one of my love to’s. I teed it up at Muirfield Alone. Just me and my bag. The solitude, beauty, challenge, and joy of playing merge into one. All ONE. It’s filling to me. You see, most of my days are filled pouring into people. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ this. And, I cannot deny it drains me too. I love the work and the individuals, teams, and leaders I’m blessed to build. However, it is tiring to use psychic energy. BTL practices demand all of mine. So, whenever the chance arises to golf my ball alone, with the first tee time, I’m filling up. Solitude fills this soul. You?
Life, remember, is an energy management problem and it’s yours and mine to solve. Slow down. Reflect. Write. You cannot pour, pour, pour, and simply pour more. Fill. FIO. You cannot give what you do not possess. Fill to overflowing. Give. Give. Give. You’ll love it.
Live hard. Love ❤️ harder. Don’t forget to fill…
BUILT TO LEAD 
Dit. Toe.
We need to refuel our energy if we want to be the person we’re created to be; and have the energy of mind, soul and body to help others.