Greatness Is Found Off the Beaten Path

This past weekend, I played in a golf tournament for a new high school football team in northwest Fort Worth—way out in the country, down winding roads, past cows and barns. At first I thought, what am I doing out here? But then I pulled into one of the most beautiful golf courses I’d ever seen. It hit me: this is exactly how life works.

All the best things in life—the real blessings—aren’t found on the path of least resistance. They’re out of the way. Inconvenient. Off the beaten path. But when you’re committed to a purpose, when you stay focused on your goals, you realize that it’s worth it. That’s when greatness happens.

Lessons From the Course

1. Care Wins
Julie Harper, who helped put our team together, didn’t have to say she was great at her job—I could tell. The way she treated people, the way she genuinely cared, was enough. Real connection will always outpace strategy. If you want to win in business and in life, be the kind of person who makes others feel valued. AI might replace a lot of roles, but it will never replace compassion.

2. Show Up and Be Great
We got paired with two young women, Riley and Madison, and I’ll be honest—I underestimated them. But they crushed it. Amazing drives. Incredible putts. I quickly realized I might just be the caddy for this team. They didn’t announce their greatness; they just showed up and performed. That’s how you earn respect. Not with noise—through action.

3. Surround Yourself With Encouragers
Every great shot came with high-fives and support. And let me tell you, that energy is contagious. In life and business, don’t just look for people with skills. Surround yourself with people who uplift others, who celebrate wins and encourage growth. The journey’s better with a good crew.

4. Be Where You Are
At one point I was about to hit a shot and noticed a baby deer watching me. Weirdly, I felt nervous—I didn’t want to let the deer down. But standing there, I realized how good life was. Friends, nature, purpose. I was doing what I love, helping a good cause, and surrounded by good people. That’s success. That’s wealth. We spend so much time chasing the next thing that we forget to appreciate the current thing.

Take Action Today

• Ask yourself: What’s a goal I’m committed to—even if it’s out of the way?

• Commit to being the best version of yourself—even if no one’s watching yet.

• Show up for others. Be that energy.

• Find your moment of stillness. Appreciate the now.

And remember: life’s greatest courses aren’t the ones closest to home. They’re the ones that make the drive worth it.