People have just two
choices when it comes to their emotions: they can master their emotions or be
mastered by them. That doesn’t mean that to be a good team player, you have to
turn off your feelings. But it does mean that you shouldn’t let your feelings prevent you from doing what you should
or drive you to do things you shouldn’t.
A classic example of what
can happen when a person doesn’t discipline his emotions can be seen in the
life of golf legend Bobby Jones. Like today’s Tiger Woods, Jones was a golf
prodigy. He began playing in 1907 at age 5. By age 12, he was scoring below par,
an accomplishment most golfers don’t achieve in a lifetime of playing the game.
At age 14, he qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship. But Jones didn’t win
the event. His problem can be best described by the nickname he acquired: “club
thrower.” Jones often lost his temper – and his ability to play well.
An older golfer who Jones
called Grandpa Bart advised the young man, “You’ll
never win until you can control that temper of yours.” Jones took his
advice and began working to discipline his emotions. At age 21, Jones blossomed
and went on to be one of the greatest golfers in history, retiring at age 28
after winning the grand slam of golf. Grandpa Bart’s advice comment sums up the
situation: “Bobby was 14 when he mastered the game of golf, but he was 21 when he
mastered himself.”
[Taken from The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player:
Becoming the Kind of Person Every Team Wants (2007) by John C. Maxwell.
Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]
Have you mastered your emotions?
Or are you mastered by them?
THINK BIG.
START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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