Teeing Off into Peak Season
As winter fades and construction season heats up, trades across the country shift into high gear. Whether you’re in disaster restoration or concrete paving, the summer months often bring the busiest schedules, and the greatest pressure.
For those of us in the northern states, it also signals the return of something else we love: golf season. Now, I’ll admit—I love the game. Most days, anyway. On others, let’s just say my relationship with golf is… complicated. But whether you’re striping drives down the fairway or chasing balls through the trees, there’s something powerful about the game: its simplicity, its clarity, and the metaphors it holds for life and leadership.
That’s why I created The Tee Box Series for Business, a six-part journey where we explore key business principles through the lens of golf. First up? The tee box itself and what it teaches us about personal motivation and the drive to succeed.
The Tee Box: Where Every Hole and Every Opportunity Begins
In golf, the tee box is the start of every hole. It’s a place of focus, anticipation, and potential. You step up, read the course, and swing with purpose. You’re not at the green yet, but that first shot sets the tone for everything that follows.
In business, we face “tee box” moments every day. The start of a project, the beginning of a quarter, a fresh Monday, or maybe that pivotal moment when you decide to stop playing small and start leading with more intention.
But in life, no one tees the ball up for you. That’s your job. And it starts with something deep inside: intrinsic drive, or your fuel from within.
Intrinsic drive is your internal motor, your why, it’s not about external rewards or recognition. It’s about purpose, passion, and the pride you take in doing meaningful work.
It’s what gets you out of bed before the alarm. It’s why you push through setbacks and show up consistently, especially when no one is watching. But in the rush of day-to-day operations, many leaders lose that spark. The pressure of payroll, scheduling, and firefighting can bury it. The swing gets robotic and the game turns into a grind.
Here’s the good news: you can reignite it! And when you do, you stop reacting and start creating.
Why Your First Swing Matters
On the course, your opening drive determines your positioning. A solid first shot gives you confidence. A poor one leads to a series of compensating moves all the way to the green. The same applies in business. The way you start your day, a meeting, or a new initiative, your energy, focus, and preparation can shape the entire outcome. Ask yourself:
- Do you start your day with intention or just react to chaos?
- Are you leading your team or letting the day lead you?
- Leaders who tee off with purpose don’t just go farther, they go smarter.
Reignite the Spark: Reconnect with Your Why
To rediscover your drive, you must reconnect with your purpose. What made you take the first swing? What fueled your decision to lead or start your business?
In the fall of 2024, I was at the PBCA annual meeting, where I heard a fellow coach and friend, Dr. Tracey C. Jones speak about her book, “Spark.” At the time, I was running both my coaching practice and my concrete company, and I was burned out. But her message challenged me to refocus, to seek clarity, and to find my singularity of purpose again. That moment was a tee box for me, and a turning point.
Create a Pre-Shot Routine for Your Day
Every golfer has a pre-shot routine. Mine? “Keep your head down, don’t hit a house, and don’t kill anyone.” I guess it’s more of a Mantra, but you get the point. Yours might be different, but the principle remains. In business, a pre-shot routine could look like:
- Starting your day with three high-value priorities
- Taking five minutes to visualize how you want to lead or serve
- Asking: “Does this align with my why?”
- Holding regular weekly meetings to align the leadership team.
I recently worked with a leadership team that admitted they weren’t holding regular meetings. They weren’t aligned. They didn’t have a routine. And their results showed it. The owner was burned out, putting out fires all the time and having to react to situations rather than proactively planning for them. Intentional routines build consistent “swings.” In the case of this firm, the key is building that routine, having that regularly scheduled meeting to align the leadership team and then committing to having them even when it feels like you just don’t have the time.
Don’t Compare Clubs, Play Your Own Game
It’s easy to compare your business or leadership style to someone else’s. Maybe their company looks more polished. Maybe they’re hitting farther. But their tee box isn’t yours. Their course isn’t your course. Stay focused on your grip, your rhythm, and your swing. In business, as in golf, the best results come from mastering your own game, not mirroring someone else’s.
Set a goal to shave one stroke off your game. In business, that might be streamlining onboarding, implementing new software, or improving communication. Small improvements compound over time and build momentum. Eventually, the other players will be sizing you up and comparing their organization to yours.
Step Up & Take the Shot.
You don’t need a new quarter, a new year or a new role to reignite your drive. Every morning offers a fresh tee box and a chance to swing with purpose and clarity! So, step up. Place the ball. Take the shot, because how you tee off doesn’t just define the hole, it defines the legacy you leave behind.
Eric Zichterman
Eric Zichterman is a construction business coach and founder of Freedom Forge Coaching. With 25+ years in the construction industry, Eric helps business owners lead more effectively, operate more efficiently, and grow intentionally. Reach out to [email protected] or visit us on the web at www.FreedomForgeCoaching.com
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