A few weeks ago on a Sunday, I got up at about 6, grabbed a subway to the LIRR to a shuttle bus to the Glen Oaks Golf Club on Long Island to watch the final day of a PGA playoff event.

Now sure, I’m a golfer, a golf fan, and have even written about golf tournaments like this one before.

But that’s not why I go to golf tournaments.

See, the cool thing about a golf tournament is that if you plan your day right, at any time you can be standing just a few feet away from the greatest players in the world, for the same general admission price that everyone pays.  There is no courtside seating at a golf tournament.  There are some “super boxes,” but those aren’t close to the action.  Every man, woman or child can be up against the ropes if they think about where and when they want to be next to their favorite player.

And that’s why I go to golf tournaments.

Because one moment, I could be steps away from the #1 player in the world. And the next moment I can be watching a rookie who I think may BE the #1 player in the world someday.

Why is this important?

Sure, I learn about the game by watching their swing, by hearing them chat with their caddy about strategy and seeing what equipment they are using close up.

But the most important thing I learn . . . is that they are human.

Seeing them up close gives me a chance to see them screw up.  To hear them get frustrated.  To see them spit!  These greatest players on the planet aren’t walking on air . . . they put one foot in front of the other just like everyone else.  They just chose what they wanted to do and worked at it.  Hard.

And that’s inspiring.  Because if these human beings can do it. Then you and I can too.

That’s why I encourage you to get yourself around the “best players on the planet” in your theatrical field . . . whether that’s writers, directors, actors, or whomever.  Learn by watching them, listening to them . . . and also learn that they are just people that put one foot in front of the other, but walked ran sprinted like they were in a Tough Mudder race towards their goal, refusing to let anyone get in their way.

And what we do is easier than what athletes do!  You don’t get an advantage in writing if you’re 6’2″ and look like you’ve been cut from a slab of marble.  It doesn’t matter!

If you learn anything from the superstars in any industry, realize that they are human beings.   And you are a human being.

Which means you can do everything they can . . . and maybe even more.

– – – – –

We’ve got a great group of the best “Players” in the world coming to our conference.  Are you coming?  Find out who’s coming and see the schedule here.