Four Simple Rules for a Lifetime of Success

My son Ryan starts his new career this week. After graduating in December from Mississippi State University with a degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management, he will be starting as an Assistant Golf Professional at one of Cincinnati's top private courses.

We enjoyed having him with us these past few months at our winter place in Tampa while he waited for his new job to begin. We're just a few weeks ahead of the anticipated start of golf season in Ohio, so it'll give him time to get settled in at the club, learn the staff and "daily routines," and hopefully hit the ground running.

As we enjoyed our final dinner in Tampa, I told Ryan how proud I was of him—not just throughout his college years but also on the eve of his first real job—admiring his enthusiastic and respectful approach to his new career. His internships over his college curriculum at some amazing courses with incredible leaders guiding him with insights and opportunities will serve him well. 

I thought I would offer him some simple fatherly advice for him to heed, or if he's much like me, stash in the back of his brain and use it as he sees fit when the time is right. Here's what I told him...

There are 4 simple concepts or ideas for you to remember each and every day. If you remember these 4 things and bake them into who you are and how you show up each day, you're going to have a long and successful career.

Relationships - I know Ryan has heard me say "build relationships, solve problems, and have fun" no less than 10,000 times thoughout his life, but I told him his career path moving forward will be completely dictated by the relationships with people he has already created, and the hundreds or thousands of people he hasn't even met yet. He'll soon realize what I have known for years; what you know is important, but who you know...and who knows you...is really the "cheat code" for life. Fellow professionals, members of the clubs where he will work or play, industry reps and insiders, and other people in his new "community" will create the Rolodex that will serve him well for life.

Yes! - I encouraged Ryan to look for opportunities to say "yes" as much as possible. Sure, while at work, he can raise his hand and volunteer for the "not-so-fun" tasks. He can show up early and stay late. He can show his bosses that he's ready to grow. He also needs to jump at chances to learn more, receive teaching, coaching, and find more ways to learn his new trade. Give lessons to beginners as often as the best players, work with the juniors and help them fall in love with the game, jump into a pot-game with the members, or attend an "after hours" event with some of the staff to find out more about himself and what he likes and doesn't like.

I know the old cliche that says, "Every time you say 'Yes' to something, you're saying 'no' to something else," but he's only 23 years old. He won't know what he's saying 'no' to until he starts saying 'yes.'

Attitude - Okay, this one could easily have come first, as I believe that attitude is everything. I know he knows how important a great attitude is. He has some phenomenal mentors that he went to school with who graduated ahead of him and have landed amazing roles at some of America's best courses. He knows the impact a smile can have on people. He knows the power of a genuine laugh. He understands the effect that words of encouragement and appreciation can have on people around him. I told him attitude is a lot like confidence in that people can see it, hear it, and feel it. I reminded him that attitude is also a choice. He should start each day by asking himself, "Is today going to be a great day or a great day" and no day gets to begin until his answer is "today is going to be a great day!"

Nice - The simple things are always the most powerful. If you live a life that begins and ends with being nice to people, you're probably going to live a pretty happy life. It doesn't cost anyone anything to be kind, respectful, and humble. Remember what you learned in kindergarten: Look people in the eye, say "please" and "thank you," don't interrupt, wait your turn, share with others, and all those other little axioms that would make your Mom or your Nana proud.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

The fact that these four simple concepts or reminders make the acronym RYAN might just be a coincidence...or maybe I planned it that way. I wanted it to be easy for him to remember, and each time he...

Finds himself building or strengthening a Relationship,

When he wants to maybe say "no," but he realizes what awesome things could happen if he says "Yes,"

Gets to choose his Attitude each day, to choose wisely...and everyone he encounters will quickly realize if he chose wisely that day,

And finally, being Nice to everyone—at work, on the course, or in everyday life—might not seem like a big deal, but since kindness costs nothing, why not make it a habit?

Those 4 practices seem like something someone could easily build their name on, huh?