Mastering Life's Frames: Lessons from the Bowling Lane

I’m not great at bowling. In fact, it’s one of those sports where my left-handed throws seem destined for the gutter. Every attempt feels like a struggle against the heavily waxed lanes that seem custom-made for right-handed players.

At first, I blamed the balls. I tried lighter ones, heavier ones, and even switched up my approach entirely. But nothing worked until I faced an uncomfortable truth: the problem wasn’t the ball — it was me.

How often in life do we switch "balls" when things get tough? We blame the tools, the job, or even the circumstances, instead of mastering what’s already in our hands. The reality is, success rarely comes from constant change — it comes from consistency and learning to work with what you’ve got.

Find the Groove Others Have Created

During one particularly frustrating game, I realized something: the right-handed bowlers were finding success because they followed the natural grooves in the lane. Meanwhile, I was stubbornly trying to blaze my own path on the left side — where no grooves existed.

In life, we often try to reinvent the wheel when success might be found by learning from those who've already paved the way. Study the “grooves” successful people have created, adapt their proven methods, and apply them in your unique way.

Finish the Frame: Persevere Until the End

Bowling’s scoring system baffles me. You can throw a strike or a spare and still not know your exact score until the very last frame. Life’s the same way. Success isn’t always immediately clear.

Imagine quitting halfway through a career, project, or personal goal just because progress wasn’t obvious. Like sharks escaping at the last second when being reeled in, success often comes when you push hardest right before the finish line.

Ignore the Scoreboard, Focus on the Game

I’ll never forget what one of my Baylor football coaches used to say: “Put a blanket over the scoreboard and play until the last whistle.”

We waste so much energy checking life’s “scoreboard” — measuring ourselves against others, counting wins and losses. But your only real job is to focus on the throw, the pitch, the sale, or the project right in front of you.

The scoreboard will take care of itself.

Your Strike Is Closer Than You Think

Whatever you're chasing — in business, relationships, or personal growth — stay in the game. Master your tools, follow successful paths, and persevere until the end. You may not realize how many strikes you’ve already thrown until you look up and see how far you've come.

Keep rolling. Keep pushing. Your game isn’t over.