What is perfect?
The standard definition refers to something that is without defect or blemish. The word can also be used to refer to the idea of accuracy. On the surface, these definitions might seem straight forward, but if you begin to look a little deeper at the concept there are layers upon layers of questions that don’t necessarily have simple answers.
If we take our industry for example, what does it mean exactly when things are “perfect?” Let’s use the idea of conditioning and presentation. Are the fairways at the Open Championship last week at Royal Birkdale without defect or blemish? Burned out from drought, fairways were a tawny golden color and the very definition of firm and fast playing conditions.
Or maybe the fairway turf at the Masters or a PGA Championship fits the definition best. Firm and smooth, deep green color and every blade of grass is as uniform as possible. Is this presentation more what you think about in terms of perfection?
The answer to this question might be as simple as “it depends.” All turf managers and golfers have their own interpretation of the idea of perfection and their own viewpoint with regard to conditioning and presentation. What might be sublime to one person could be viewed as sacrilegious by another. There are no right or wrong answers to this question. It’s a purely subjective interpretation.
There is a common phrase that comes up when people describe the work of superintendents. Those people refer to his/her “attention to detail.” This ability to pay keen attention is usually touted as one of the things that separates great turf managers from average ones. It is what enables a course manager to both see the bigger picture and still be able to focus on the smaller details that matter for day-to-day play.
As human beings, we can use the practice of presence to begin to tune into the wonder of all our experiences. Whether it’s playing with our kids, getting lost in music or a good book or even being fully present for the majesty of a sunrise, we can choose to be there.
But beware, dear reader, this attention to detail is also closely related to a more sinister cousin. If we peel back yet another layer, we arrive at the idea/pursuit of perfectionism. This trait and quality are also widespread among our turf brothers and sisters but can bring with it much more baggage.
Many of us use the terms attention to detail and perfectionism interchangeably, but I don’t see m as the same. I believe that having a keen eye for detail is a highly sought after trait in successful turf managers. The ability to present a golf course with all the small things attended to (within reason and budget) really does make a huge difference to a golfer’s overall experience. They may not be able to articulate the reason that they think a course is good, but it generally comes down to all the small things which are attended to behind the scenes on a daily basis which elevates a course from good to great.
Perfectionism, on the other hand, is a different animal. It hides in the shadows and gnaws away at us from the inside. It can present as the driving force behind the unquenchable push for “greatness.” Or it can present as a debilitating condition in which a person is so timid that they rarely push themselves at all. There are many in our culture that would celebrate the first one and condemn the second. But I would postulate that they are simply two sides of the same coin and each presentation can be quite damaging.
Both of these states of mind force us to overthink, to ruminate, and pursue our goals in a state of tension and anxiety. While one is known for its striving nature and the other seemingly consumed by near paralysis, they are both based in fear. Fear of failure, of not meeting expectations and the constant feeling of never being enough no matter our efforts to prove otherwise. The presentation and outcomes are usually different, but on the inside, they look very much the same.
Many of us fall somewhere on the spectrum between striving and timidness. We can feel fear in the background and are constantly resisting or running from it. We justify our lack of drive or overwork and tireless commitment to our jobs by telling ourselves that if we just hold back or push a little harder, things will be ok…our personal imperfections from being human will not be found out and therefore we will be acceptable/belong. But what if we have it all backwards? What if, instead of pushing and striving we instead stepped back and looked at things through a broader lens?
Before I continue, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I’m not saying that making the course that you manage the best it can be within the parameters you are given is not a good thing. Hard work is good. Setting goals and standards and holding your team accountable is totally fine. Fine tuning processes and managing expectations in a healthy way are very laudable goals indeed.
What I am saying is that there might be a different way to achieve these goals. One that doesn’t involve tension, anxiety and ruminating. One that doesn’t lead to feeling stuck or on the slow road to burnout. One which recognizes the built in enough-ness of everyone and everything.
There is a way to take the notion of perfectionism and flip it on its head. This place doesn’t see it as a state of mind or a personality trait. Instead, we begin to see the idea of perfection as something that occurs independent of our efforts to create it, and our role is to simply notice it.
Perfectionism, on the other hand, is a different animal. It hides in the shadows and gnaws away at us from the inside.
What then, if perfection is simply a collection of moments? What if our job is all about meeting these moments in our lives with full awareness? If we begin to practice meeting each moment with presence, then we start to understand that any experience can exist without defect. This idea completely embraces the notion that perfection is entirely subjective. It blurs the line between the dualism of “good and bad” and allows us to simply see things for what they are. We can take more risks if we are risk averse and not fear the outcomes or we can pull back a bit if we are constantly on overdrive and see that perfection was never within our reach anyhow. It exists independent of our efforts.
As a golf course superintendent, you can simultaneously be raising the bar and learning how to rest in the moment. You can train, motivate and hold your team to task, while at the same time relishing their experiences in their brief time working with you. You can start to practice deep listening and empathy with your team. Allow them to feel heard and appreciated for what they bring to the table. Express your gratitude and make sure they know how much you value their effort. It’s the cumulative results of these moments that young turf folk will bring forth as they move into the wider world. Not how hard you pushed or how loud you yelled, but how you made them feel like they were part of something bigger moment by moment, day by day.
As human beings, we can use the practice of presence to begin to tune into the wonder of all our experiences. Whether it’s playing with our kids, getting lost in music or a good book or even being fully present for the majesty of a sunrise, we can choose to be there. With practice we can even stay present to the difficulties in our lives with greater spaciousness. We can be there for our families, our friends and most importantly for ourselves.
The practice of presence gives us the chance to experience life more fully. Free from obsessing over perceived blemishes or defects, all the while enhancing our ability to see the true perfection in each moment.
Thanks so much for reading.
