Today’s Quote is from Jim Herbert

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“Remember, It’s the 18th Hole.”

~~ Jim Herbert

I was reading one of the Best Advice I’ve Ever Received blogs on our internal Social Intranet that I became the Community Manager of in September. We ask our executive management team to share the best advice they’ve ever received with our internal community. I saw the one from our CEO, Jim Herbert, and I thought the quote was great, but the story, better. I asked Jim permission to share this on the show and he said yes, so I, of course am now sharing with you.

Best advice I’ve ever received – Jim Herbert, CEO of First Republic Bank

When I was young, I used to caddy at a nearby golf course.  One day I had the opportunity to caddy for an expert golfer who had a very big bag of clubs that seemed larger than my kid-sized frame.

As we came to the 18th hole, I was very tired from carrying my golfer’s heavy bag of clubs. I was carrying out my duty as a caddy by holding the flag while my golfer took his final putt.  But at that moment, my exhaustion took over and I moved – the one thing a caddy must never do, especially on the final hole.

Clearly distracted, the golfer stood up, looked at me and motioned to stand still. After he made his putt, he put his arm around me as we started walking back to the club house and said,

“Kid, that was a big mistake.”

As I began to apologize for moving, he let me know that I had not only made one big mistake, I made two. I looked back at him perplexed. I could only remember moving the flag. He begins to explain what happened,

“First you moved the flag. Second you moved the flag on the 18th hole – that’s when I’m deciding how much to tip you!”

I’ve never forgotten that moment and it still rings true to everything that I do today. The lesson that I never forget is to always see things through to the very end. When I’m thinking about how to act in the final minutes of whatever it is I’m working on, I always remind myself, “It’s the 18th hole.”

Thanks Jim. That’s a great quote to remember. It’s amazing how much golf can teach you about life, business and goals. When things are almost done, when you have delivered your final product, your service, your attitude, “remember It’s the 18th Hole”. When your tip depends on it, how will you finish?

What great advice and a great quote to hang on your wall. “Remember, It’s the 18th Hole.”

Go Out Today, Play Hard, Work Hard, Remember At The End, “It’s the 18th Hole!”