There are some things in life that I simply love: my family, my faith, my friends, and The Masters Golf Tournament. I was fortunate enough to once again attend the Masters this year with my friend and his two sons, and, again I wasn’t disappointed.
In a world full of heartbreak, disaster, disappointment, and terrorism, thankfully there are times and circumstances that bring us back to what is good. The Masters is a reminder to me of what is good and decent. It’s a very hard ticket to get your hands on, and sure it’s become expensive and exclusive from a ticket standpoint, but the point I would like to present revolves around the tournament itself (not the pilfering of tickets for big dollars). Oddly enough, a Masters badge for the week purchased from the tournament (for those lucky enough to have the rights to purchase) only cost about $250.
Spend a day at the Masters and if you open your eyes you will be amazed at the things you will see and notice. Obviously, the natural beauty is breathtaking, but so is the experience itself. In many ways, it’s like walking back in time. The world seems to slow. The fact that cell phones are not allowed on the course for the tournament rounds certainly helps.
The Masters tournament has done an incredible job of creating a culture of hospitality. This culture emanates from the top down. Even the bathroom attendants are kind. Buy a pimento cheese sandwich and you’ll get a smile from the checkout clerk.
In most of today’s world crowds of people simply forget the presence of others, but at The Masters the crowds are polite and patient. I sat next to an elderly patron who had been to over 40 Masters. After spending a couple hours next to him, I could tell you his life story.
So, what’s the lesson?
We so often rush around in a fog trying to get past the next business deadline or through the week only to crash into the weekend. We know we need to stop and smell the roses, but it’s hard. I find it is common that life’s busy pace can leave financial damage in its wake.
We must take the time to lift our heads away from the grindstone to see the big picture of our financial world. So often I see financial mistakes due to the lack of attention, so simply taking the time to pay attention can be a huge win.
It’s all in the details. The Masters has been able to grow the tournament to arguably the best golf tournament in the world by paying attention to the details. Paying attention to the details of our financial affairs is so very important. These details come in all shapes and sizes? Whether it’s a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly details, they all tie into the big picture of your financial success. If you want to “Master” your financial world, simply make it a priority.
