GOLF BAGS AND SHOULDER PADS

"Winning is everything!"

Vince Lombardi

"Nuts!"

Tom Payne

There has to be more to life than "winning." What about love, friendship, learning, growing? Aren't those more "everything" than -- winning?

But the more I thought of it, the more I believed the coach was right -- winning is everything. But first you must define the game, and when you know the game you're playing, you'll know the skills you need to win.

If the game is to score more points then the opponent by getting the ball across the goal line either by carrying, passing or kicking, then you need to master the skills of running, blocking, kicking, and passing.

But if the game is to knock a little white ball around with a club as few times as possible, then the required skills are different than the running, blocking, etc. game

So when coach Vince said, "Winning is everything," if he meant you should strive to be the best in the game you're choosing to play (and that game can be anything from the game of shopping to the game of life ), I agree with him completely.

A problem arises when there is an unclear definition of the game. You're all dressed and practiced up for golf, and you find yourselves in a football game. You're confused. This is happening to many people today. The game is changing and the players are not. People are walking around with golf bags slung over their shoulder pads.

While anything is possible, it's a poor bet that you'll win a game you don't know you're playing. Define the games that are important to you; stop playing the games that aren't. Acquire the skills needed to win, and go for it.

Lesson: Know the game, master the skills, and play to win.