Comments on: Future Patterns

By: Jeff D

Jeff D — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:58:48 +0000

I find it interesting, Dan, how your musings in this particular post could describe a philosophy for life or for a round of golf. This is a great philosophy for course management. Put simply, break it down into manageable chunks. Why think about how difficult a 480-yard par 4 is and pscyh yourself out? Just focus on putting your drive in the fairway. Then focus solely on putting your ball in the middle of the green. If you’re standing on the tee thinking about having to hit a 3-wood out of the rough if you miss the fairway, you’ll be hitting a 3-wood out of the rough for your second shot. Life is the same way. Focus on the step you’re on and the rest will take care of itself. Very insightful post.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:50:23 +0000

Time it was
And what at time it was.

It was…

A time of innocence.
A time of confidences.

Long ago, it must be
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They’re all that’s left you.

- Simon and Garfunkel, Bookends

By: Bert

Bert — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:40:55 +0000

Great post Dan – best one yet!

By: Another Dan

Another Dan — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:36:15 +0000

Your wise thoughts prompted me to turn back to Seneca, whose consideration of time still rings true thousands of years later. He has a little different take, but I thought you’d enjoy this excerpt from his essay “On the Shortness of Life.” See, e.g., http://www.laphamsquarterly.org/voices-in-time/back-to-the-future.php?page=all

A few choice excerpts:

Life is divided into three periods: past, present, and future. Of these, the present is short, the future is doubtful, the past is certain. For this last is the one over which Fortune has lost her power, which cannot be brought back to anyone’s control. But this is what preoccupied people lose: for they have no time to look back at their past, and even if they did, it is not pleasant to recall activities they are ashamed of. So they are unwilling to cast their minds back to times ill spent, which they dare not relive if their vices in recollection become obvious—even those vices whose insidious approach was disguised by the charm of some momentary pleasure. No one willingly reverts to the past unless all his actions have passed his own censorship, which is never deceived. . . .

The present time is extremely short, so much so that some people are unaware of it. For it is always on the move, flowing on in a rush; it ceases before it has come and does not suffer delay any more than the firmament or the stars, whose unceasing movement never pauses in the same place.

. . . . everybody agrees that no one pursuit can be successfully followed by a man who is preoccupied with many things—eloquence cannot, nor the liberal studies—since the mind, when distracted, takes in nothing very deeply . . . There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living: there is nothing that is harder to learn.

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:14:54 +0000

Totally agree. One phrase caught my eye … ’45 minutes of programming’ … what do you mean by that?

By: Brice Richard

Brice Richard — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:22:52 +0000

I definitely live in the “now” but I also am very vigilant about “listening” to what the “universe” (and by universe I mean external events) may be telling me.

It’s a subjective exercise but all to often I have observed many people make important decisions based on INTERNALLY based events and not consider both what is happening internally and externally around you.

Do I plan for the future? Not really because I am driven by the now not by a very nebulous picture of what I think the future will be.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have a general picture plan of some future desired event but I certainly have never really “planned” anything in my life. I don’t think like that.

Having said that, I drive an $80K car, am getting paid to pursue my passion, and my health is extraordinary – not bad for a 45 year old guy who doesn’t plan things huh?

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:16:34 +0000

Another great post as usual Dan. I really want a future in golf so i am caddying part time here at Carnoustie and also working part time as an assistant in the Pro shop with the goal of getting my handicap down to 4 at least to do my PGA professional training. I’m not entirely set on the PGA pro route though but getting the handicap down is a must.. I would considering caddying full time for a couple of years. Summers here in Scotland and then across to the States to caddie in the winter time. I’m also going to the gym 5 times a week doing golf specific exercises and practicing or playing nearly everyday! I am golf mad haha. Your Plan is a definate inspiration to me. I got a personal trainer at the gym after watching your webisodes in December last year and it has definately had a positive impact on me. I almost feel as though we both have a similar sort of plan/ schedule going so i’m going to see if i can beat you to a scratch handicap haha Seriously though i’ve been golfing for 5 years now and have a handicap of 9 and watching your videos has made me think “Dan is an 8 handicap already after only two years?! I must try harder!” Thanks for the inspiration Dan.

Robert.