What’s your HANDICAP?

To allow individuals of differing abilities to compete more fairly, the United States Golf Association introduced the handicap system in the early 20th century. Although a handicap is actually derived from a complicated formula, the important fact to know is that the lower the handicap, the more skilled the player. “Scratch golfers” (with a handicap of zero) are much better than “bogey golfers” (with handicaps around 20), but the system allows them to compete together because weaker players get to deduct strokes from their overall score based on their handicap.


What if we hypothetically applied the USGA handicap concept to alternative endeavors, like rock climbing or filmmaking or writing poetry? You, for example… having never made a feature film, might have a “double-bogey” handicap, say around 38 or 40. Martin Scorsese would be considered a “scratch filmmaker” with a zero handicap, scoring par or even below par consistently in the movie industry.

You are not Martin Scorsese... but you can play with him

Even though you probably won’t direct the next Avatar right away, you can still compete with higher-level players because of the handicap system. Maybe you focus on a smaller independent venture that gets some Internet traction or, at the very least, provides some solid hands-on experience. The point is, don’t worry about creating your masterpiece before you dip your first brush. Get out there, make something and remember… you have a handicap of 38 that mentally levels the playing field.


We could apply handicapping to personal attributes as well. Perhaps you are consistently late, or resent authority, or suck at spelling, or can’t type, or hate confrontation, or struggle with organization, or are bad with numbers, or don’t draw well, or lack attention to detail, or forget names, or are afraid of speaking in public, or have little discipline, or… etcetera, etcetera. So what are your options?

First… recognize your strengths and make everything else cater to your handicap(s). This doesn’t mean FOCUS on your weaknesses either. It means identify the areas you’re lacking in (trust me there are some) and simply compensate. For instance, I’m very slow at locating items in grocery stores and libraries. I have a “double bogey” attention span when it comes to these tasks. I get distracted and overwhelmed with excess information and choices.

So, what do I do? I use my “charming” personality to approach people and ask for guidance. Taking pity on my helplessness and seizing the opportunity to demonstrate a vast knowledge of the venue, someone usually chaperones me to the goods personally. I’m aware that I suck at finding stuff, thus, I compensate by using other, more salient traits.

Whether you’re organizing a closet, starting a business or changing careers, it is imperative to evaluate your potential, aptitude, and motivation accurately. Why? So you can establish a suitable handicap. Once you do that, you transcend the fear and anxiety about not being “good enough” and get on with what you need to do.

The Caveat...

Please do not misunderstand this concept. Not everyone can be exceptional at all things. We have innate limitations - such drastic handicaps that the playing field will always remain slanted. I will never be the next starting center for the Portland Blazers. It won’t happen, no matter how bad I want it. However, if I have an unyielding desire to be part of the sports world, yet lack the athletic talent to play, I could become an effective sports agent or a successful broadcaster. Bob Costas or Howard Cosell never won a Heisman trophy... did they?

Intuitively gravitating to our strengths comes more naturally to some people than others, but too often, because of an array of reasons that won’t be dissected at this time, we don’t know what we’re good at, or we have constructed impenetrable defenses around our faults. Remember Bruno Kirby (Lt. Hauk) in the movie Good Morning Vietnam? Robin Williams (Adrian Cronauer) played an energetic radio DJ that boosted the troops morale each morning with hilarious improvisational humor. When Lt. Hauk, Cronauer’s begrudging superior officer (with a “quadruple bogey” humor handicap) says... “In my heart… I know I’m funny,” you cannot help but cringe with empathy for his unrewarded comedic passion. Unfortunately, the only laughs he gets are with him as the punch line.

Everyone needs a Simon.

FIND YOUR SIMON

Cases like Lt. Hauk's are always the saddest scenarios because despite having low aptitude, his inner passion burns so brightly that the light blinds him from seeing clearly. Have you ever watched American Idol tryouts? It's the same story every season. You would think that some of these contestants would recognize their lack of singing ability. Maybe there is a place for them somewhere in the music industry, but belting out Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer has disastrous consequences without the appropriate vocal range. Are they just tone deaf? I often wonder if these people have anyone in their lives to offer some constructive criticism before appearing on national TV. Is there nobody?

FU$K Devil's Advocates

This is why American Idol has Simon (or had Simon). Although controversial, he made an art out of providing seemingly harsh, but very constructive feedback. Most of the time… like him or not, he got it right and, as crushing as it might be, everyone needs to find their Simon.

Please don’t rely on an overly supportive person that thinks everything you do is amazing and won’t give you an unbiased opinion. Stop sheltering yourself from advice or observations that might make you better or re-direct you towards something more aligned with your capacities. 


At the same time, please ignore the flame-pissers and devil’s advocates that will prevent you from following a strong, meaningful instinct. Don’t waste any more time. Relax… get out there… and go find your Simon.