By nature, I am a positive person. I believe we influence those around us through positive actions – verbal, physical, emotional. Far too often these days, people act negatively, criticizing, critiquing, pointing fingers, while failing to see constructively where good things are being done.
In my early 40s, I began to read actively on how to successfully provide positive feedback to others so it is received correctly and acted on. Be specific. Be timely. If possible, provide that reinforcement in a public arena.
As our kids grew up playing basketball and soccer, I saw many instances where our team parents’ cheering urged the players onto greater heights. Increasing their energy. Seeing the intensity going up.
Several clear examples emerged in high school during junior varsity basketball games, where they played in a smaller gym, and our cheering could have greater effect. I can vividly remember multiple games where our team got over the hump in the second half of a close contest as we rocked the stands, thumping with our hands and feet while screaming our lungs out.
Facetiously, I became known as the “Loudest Fan,” and was purchased (by the other parents) one of those canvas seats you sit on in high school gymnasiums, with the phrase etched on the back. I sat in it proudly.
Those days are long gone. I continue to engage in other situations and provide clear support to others when I see good things being done, wanting to encourage and help shape the world just a bit better for all of us.
Recently, I went to a senior golf tournament in Madison, WI. The pros are on the older side of age-50. They’ve proven themselves, but still have the competitive drive. It doesn’t take long following them around to see they are still ferocious about winning.
The day we went, Retief Goosen was in a signature group that I chose to follow for three holes towards the end of the back nine. On the 16th, a 550-yard par five, he hit his second shot about nine feet below the hole. For those uninitiated to golf, that’s a PHENOMENAL accomplishment. It meant he’d put for an eagle, with is two-under par, a diamond for anybody.
When Goosen got to the green, I went nuts, yelling, “GOOSE,” figuring that had to be his nickname. He looked up (I was the ONLY fan surrounding the hole), smiled and tipped his cap.
As he stalked his putt, I threw out a few more supportive comments. He lined it up carefully, and knocked it home for his eagle. I erupted again, at the purity of his long shot into the green and his putt. He acknowledged me again.
He and his partners exited for the par three 17th hole through the ropes, and I came down to follow to watch their dastardly tough tee shots. As he walked, he turned to me, took his ball, smiled, then tossed it to me. I thanked him. He smiled wryly. It was a small gesture that made my day. Perhaps I made his. I don’t know.
I will keep the ball. I wrote “GOOSE” on it, the hole the shot occurred on, and the year, 2021. I’m not an autograph kinda guy, but will look back at it fondly in the years ahead. In fact, I plan to return next year, and maybe add some more positive cheering to the day. See what happens. It will be fun.
In my early 40s, I began to read actively on how to successfully provide positive feedback to others so it is received correctly and acted on. Be specific. Be timely. If possible, provide that reinforcement in a public arena.
As our kids grew up playing basketball and soccer, I saw many instances where our team parents’ cheering urged the players onto greater heights. Increasing their energy. Seeing the intensity going up.
Several clear examples emerged in high school during junior varsity basketball games, where they played in a smaller gym, and our cheering could have greater effect. I can vividly remember multiple games where our team got over the hump in the second half of a close contest as we rocked the stands, thumping with our hands and feet while screaming our lungs out.
Facetiously, I became known as the “Loudest Fan,” and was purchased (by the other parents) one of those canvas seats you sit on in high school gymnasiums, with the phrase etched on the back. I sat in it proudly.
Those days are long gone. I continue to engage in other situations and provide clear support to others when I see good things being done, wanting to encourage and help shape the world just a bit better for all of us.
Recently, I went to a senior golf tournament in Madison, WI. The pros are on the older side of age-50. They’ve proven themselves, but still have the competitive drive. It doesn’t take long following them around to see they are still ferocious about winning.
The day we went, Retief Goosen was in a signature group that I chose to follow for three holes towards the end of the back nine. On the 16th, a 550-yard par five, he hit his second shot about nine feet below the hole. For those uninitiated to golf, that’s a PHENOMENAL accomplishment. It meant he’d put for an eagle, with is two-under par, a diamond for anybody.
When Goosen got to the green, I went nuts, yelling, “GOOSE,” figuring that had to be his nickname. He looked up (I was the ONLY fan surrounding the hole), smiled and tipped his cap.
As he stalked his putt, I threw out a few more supportive comments. He lined it up carefully, and knocked it home for his eagle. I erupted again, at the purity of his long shot into the green and his putt. He acknowledged me again.
He and his partners exited for the par three 17th hole through the ropes, and I came down to follow to watch their dastardly tough tee shots. As he walked, he turned to me, took his ball, smiled, then tossed it to me. I thanked him. He smiled wryly. It was a small gesture that made my day. Perhaps I made his. I don’t know.
I will keep the ball. I wrote “GOOSE” on it, the hole the shot occurred on, and the year, 2021. I’m not an autograph kinda guy, but will look back at it fondly in the years ahead. In fact, I plan to return next year, and maybe add some more positive cheering to the day. See what happens. It will be fun.