803. You Can’t Put a Price Tag on Experience

Thane Marcus Ringler

“We usually learn what not to do before we learn what to do. And so the first year was really brutal: a lot of poor results and a lot of questioning, a lot of doubts, a lot of trying to find the right answer, the right solution to the problem. And it took me about a year to realize that there is no right answer. You have to figure out what’s best for you.”

Thane Marcus Ringler is a former pro golfer turned speaker, author, coach, and entrepreneur living in Los Angeles, California. After competing for nearly four years as a professional, he transitioned out of the world of golf into his current endeavors. Thane’s mission is to help others live and work better. He is passionate about speaking to the journey from the journey, and is striving to empower this generation to take ownership of their lives and never settle for less than they are capable of.

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

“I was captain of our golf team at The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California. We had qualified for the nationals my junior year but, because our team had broken a couple of school rules, the administration decided that we would not be allowed to compete in the nationals that year or my senior year. As team captain, it was my responsibility to lead our team and I had failed to do that. It was an extremely tough time for me and a powerful lesson to learn. It showed me that if I say I believe in something I have to be living it, with my faith.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

There are many principles and lessons I have been blessed to learn over the course of my lifetime that I like to share::

1. Self-discipline and a strong work ethic.
My dad was an excellent athlete, so from an early age—6 or 7—I got involved with many sports. The competition taught me about the importance of self-discipline and a strong work ethic.

2. Honing your own skills and talents.
Team sports were gratifying on many levels and I learned much by playing them, but playing golf taught me to rely on myself, along with the importance of building and honing my own individual skills and talents.

3. The power of community.
Throughout my life, in good times and hard times, I have been supported and inspired by members of my tribe—my family, my friends and allies. You cannot live your life alone and hope to thrive without their love and trust.

4. Mental strength and resilience.
My 3+ years on the golf tour taught me quickly that competing at the highest levels in anything is 95% your mindset—your mental strength and resilience.

5. There is no substitute for experience.
We must walk down several paths for as long as it takes to get the experience needed to inform our choices and decisions about our lives and careers.

6. It’s not what we do, but who we are.
If we can keep our identity on who we are as human beings, then what we do can be an expression of, but not a defining part of that reality.