Practice the Pivot and Prepare for the Real World
In a controlled environment, everything is predictable. You know the exact distance, the wind speed is calculated for you, and the “green” is perfectly flat. It is easy to feel like a professional when you are hitting a ball into a digital screen.
However, as any leader knows, the real world rarely mimics a simulator.
In my own life, the shift from a planned existence to the raw reality of trauma recovery was the ultimate test. I had to learn that while preparation is essential, the real proof of resilience is how you handle the ball when it lands in the rough, or when the simulator screen goes dark.
January is our collective “Simulator Month.” We are all setting goals and calculating our trajectories for 2026. But my advice for this year is different:
- Plan for the moments you miss. Do not just focus on the perfect swing; focus on the recovery.
- Use your past data. Treat your previous “curveballs” as data points to help you adjust your current stance.
- The pivot is a skill. Resilience isn’t a fixed state; it is a constant, active adjustment.
Whether you are standing in front of a golf simulator or a corporate boardroom, the goal isn’t just to hit the target. It is to have the strategy to move forward when you don’t.
Cheers,
Heather
