How to be the #Masters of your career choices

Have you ever felt like you were not in control of your career progression?  Perhaps like the ball does not bounce your way or someone else gets all of the breaks?  I bet there are a few players from yesterday afternoon at the Masters that can relate.  Although many of them find a way to persevere and move on from the bad rolls.  I thought I would share a few observations related to that idea.

Most of you will be able to recognize the individual with the white hat in this picture.  Especially if you watch any professional golf.  I am guessing the number of people that know the caddie beside Jordan Spieth will be much smaller.  Fortunately I am someone that knows him personally as he was on my college golf team.  The story of how he became Jordan's caddie is quite remarkable and much too long for a brief blog entry.  But what I can tell you is that he created his own luck and made sure to be in the right place at the right time.  And look at where he is today.  He was a school teacher a few years back, and now he is rubbing shoulders with the world's best professional golfers.  You too can control your own destiny.

First of all, pay attention to how the world might be changing around you.  A few years ago very few people could have predicted the meteoric rise of Jordan's golfing career.  He still has some critics that say he has not yet learned how to control his adrenaline on Sundays.  But finishing runner-up at the Masters before the age of 21 shows me he has the right stuff to be around for a long time.  Embrace the changes that occur around you, especially with the younger generations.  They may have a lot to learn, but they could also teach you a thing or two about being hungry and motivated.

Without speaking out of both sides of my mouth, also look to those with experience for sage advice.  Although Fred Couples had a tough back nine yesterday, he was within a few strokes of the lead for quite a while early in his round.  At 54 years of age, not many people would peg him as a possible winner of this prestigious tournament.  But those that know him well know that he absolutely loves this tournament and knows Augusta well.  He has experience with the twists and turns of each green, fairway, bunker, and tee box.  Listen and watch those around you that have been successful and ask them what has gotten them through the ups and downs of a long professional career.

Don't be bogged down by the critics.  Many reported yesterday was just not the same without Phil and Tiger playing on Sunday.  While that is true from a ratings perspective, it doesn't take away from the accomplishments of Bubba, Jordan, and the others that still battled a very tough golf course.  Bubba will take him his second green jacket in three years, and he very likely would be doing so even if Phil and Tiger had been there.  If you watched him on the practice green before his final round he was incredibly poised, calm, and jovial.  It almost appeared as though he was simply out for a Saturday morning round with his buddies at a local municipal course.  Let your accomplishments speak for themselves and control what you can.

Lastly, pay attention to the conditions.  This was one of the warmest and driest weeks in recent memory at the tournament.  Which led to lightning fast conditions on the greens.  If you saw any of yesterday's coverage you saw how that impacted balls as they landed on greens and rolled right back off.  In your career market conditions may be tougher to predict than the weekly weather forecast, but it is something to consider.  If your skill set or professional experience is in high demand it could be time to look at options even if you are not in active search mode.

How have you dealt with tough turns or bad bounces in your career?  Have you taken control and benefited from difficult decisions?