“Most people don’t want to be a part of the process, they just want to be a part of the outcome.”-Scottie Pippen
The journey is definitely not lonely, but it does require being alone a fair amount.
As much as I like to video and take pictures, nearly all of the real work takes place when the phone is off.

Make sure the expectation of improvement matches the level of work you are putting in, or you are just lying to yourself.
If you want to change, start by doing just one thing differently than you are accustomed to doing it.
I love sports. They have elicited every emotion that I possess in my being.

My favorite thing about golf remains its difficulty. Money cannot buy getting good. Only talent x proper practice x extreme dedication can get you good.
I’ve been working on my Ph.D in golf for 2 years and 1 month now. My goal is to be complete in 1 year, but that’s just some arbitrary date.
I’ll finish it when I finish it.
I couldn’t put an 18 hole tournament round together this year to save my life. 9 holes? I might shoot a blistering 33. 18 holes? I’d crumble like a cookie.
When I don’t play well, it irritates the hell out of me, and there is no other way to say it.
Learning the skill and being able to perform it on demand is the ultimate fulfillment.
That, and being able to communicate it clearly to my students so that they can do the same thing.
I have a boatload of eagles, one albatross, but still zero hole in ones.
I tell my students during a putting lesson that the ball will either go in the hole or it won’t.
I love teaching someone that truly wants to get better. The fakers, not so much.
The year I was an All-American in college soccer, I expected to score every game. If I didn’t, it was a surprise. I haven’t yet developed that mindset with golf, but I’m getting closer.

I actually punch in on an old school time clock.
I chose hourly over salary because it allows me more time to travel the world. Simple as that.
I traveled to the four biggest cities in America this year: LA, NYC, Chicago, and Houston.
That Braves-Dodgers series at Dodger Stadium was so good.

The stench of weed is making American cities smell terrible.
The four day trip is absolutely perfect.
In my new career, I manage 20 year olds and younger and 60 year olds and older. Nothing in between.
After working in a small business and experiencing the inner workings, if I went back to being a commercial banker, I would be 100x more effective.
Wednesday through Sunday, I am surrounded by people. My office is like Grand Central Station. So Monday, Tuesday, early morning, and late afternoon are for ME.
It’s getting close to time to put down our last dog. That’s something that doesn’t get any easier.
Moms have some kind of superpower that us dads, no matter how hard we try, will never have.

I like it when the kids are causing a ruckus because I know I will miss that energy deeply years down the road.
If we could skip the ages of 0-1.5, I would have at least six kids, maybe more.
My most favorite thing in the whole world has been having the ability to take my kids to school every day. For almost five years now, I have taken either my son, daughter, or both to school every single day.

With New Orleans right around the corner, it’s a wonder I’m not 800 pounds.
Shrimp and grits. I repeat, shrimp and grits.
The fall leaves were sensational in southern Mississippi this year.

I could listen to song mashups on Instagram and YouTube all night long.
And by all night long I mean by 9pm. Then it’s bedtime.
If you don’t remember our interaction, I haven’t done my job.
I have so many interests that I really have to reign myself in.
In my next phase, I’m going to plan sports trips for fathers and sons so that they can build the incredible bond that my son and I have.

I’ve always talked to my son like he’s an adult. Sometimes I have to remind myself he’s only eight.
You are 100% in charge of how you design your self and your life. However, you are not in charge of many things that may happen to you.
Family. Friends. Travel. Golf. New Orleans. Rinse. Repeat.
Losing is a part of winning, and losing is a part of the process.
I lose all the time. I create posts that get no interaction. I lose at sports betting. I’ve finished near dead last in golf tournaments.
My ultimate fantasy right now is to take six months off and go to all 82 Pelicans games, home and away.

To successfully turn fantasy into reality, you still have to figure out the logistics.
Being able to adjust and adapt has got to be the most underrated skill out there.
My biggest fight is with my body. Most days I win it, but some days I don’t.
I hate not being able to write an abk piece every week, but I am maxed out.
abk is just me being 100% me.

I am busy, fulfilled, and happy, but my knees do hurt.
—
Have a great year!-Benj
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