Leaving your 9 – 5 job to work from home is like jumping out of the fry pan into the fire. You make the move while hoping for some relief like getting rid of the hectic routines and to work for yourself so that you can earn more by working less, but you end up working even harder, to the extent that after some time, you start to miss your 9 – 5 job. Problem with working online, from your home, is that you cannot take your mind away from work and slowly you start spending the bigger part of your days and nights in front of your PC.

Regardless of how much money you make, the “net-centric” lifestyle is not healthy. It can have some seriously negative effects on your physical as well as mental well being, and the overall quality of life. True that there are some lucky few, who manage to get organized and find the right balance, but a big majority of online workers, bloggers, and affiliate marketers find it incredibly hard to break the cycle and maintain some kind of balance.

One of the first things casualties of this lifestyle is the sports or outdoor activities. Quitting your job means that the frequency of going out will be reduced to a bare minimum, unless you are smart enough to make it up by incorporating a regular outdoor activity into your routine, even if it’s just a simple stroll around your neighborhood, except that it will be extremely boring. The only way to make some physical activity fun is to add some fun factor and that is where outdoor sports can be really handy.
There’s just so much you will gain from spending an hour or two on some sport of your choice, starting from the morale-boosting affect of natural sunlight to the long term health benefits of physical exercise. Rest assured, it will help you deal with all the stress that you have accumulated from hours and hours of online work, and get back to your job with a fresher and better mind.

In case you’ve made up your mind, it’s now time to decide on the sport, for which there are plenty of options to choose from. However, when we compare the pros and cons of different sports, specifically from the perspective of online entrepreneurs, Golf turns out to be head and shoulders above the rest. Honestly, it looks like a game made specifically for Internet junkies like us. Keep on reading to see why I feel like that.

Patience & Control

What does a golfer do when a shot goes wrong? A seasoned golfer will simply shake it off his mind and concentrate on the next shot. There will be times when you miss the ball, or it goes off target, but with the passage of time, you will learn that if you don’t get it out of your system instantaneously, and focus on your next shot with a clear mind, it will just add to your miseries. Training and controlling your mind to focus on the next shot is so important in the world of Internet Marketing, because cyber world has a whole lot of setbacks in store, along with a plethora of distractions to keep your mind from focusing on your next shot. Golf will instill the confidence and belief in your mind that an exceptionally good shot will pretty much make up for a bad one, and you are never out of the game.

Adaptability

Unlike other sports, where the emphasis is on aggression, stamina, and strength, Golf is all about getting adapted to the different circumstances. From many different types of courses to all sorts of hazards, different weather conditions to mastering different clubs, you will have to adapt your game with each and every change as it comes. You’ve got to be flexible and resign yourself to the different conditions with each and every shot. This is again, a trait that can be quite usable in the online environment, where you will have to adjust yourself with the ever changing algorithms, markets, new trends, tools, and social networks.

Serenity

I should have kept this advantage on the top because I can personally vouch for this. Getting away from your PC or laptop screens and stepping onto a lush green golf course in a bright sunny day will bring a tear of joy to your eyes. Ok, that was a bit too emo but the serene feeling, the rejuvenation, and the stimulation that you can get out of this game is invaluable for screen-gazers who have totally forgot to see the “big picture”.
Not to forget that Golf is a fairly competitive sport, but it doesn’t have that element of hostility. There’s no adrenaline rush, even the rare fist pumps coming from golfers have a touch of class in them.

For Everybody

Some of you might think that golf is a game meant only for seniors, but that is far from the truth. Fact is that people in their mid-thirties constitutes the biggest majority of golf players. There are many other games that can be equally amusing and exhilarating, but it’s not really easy to get into a cricket kit or football gear and get on the field on regular basis even if you are young. Golf on the other hand allows you to have some exercise and fun without tiring or exhausting your mind and body.

Networking

In the end, if you can’t help but think, OK, Golf is good for me but what’s in it for my business, the answer is business networking. Knowing that Golf is mostly pursued by top level employees in corporations, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and people who are generally well off, there’s every chance that you will stumble upon a business opportunity sooner than later, doesn’t matter if you are running an SEO agency, some online store, a blog, or simply working as an Internet Marketing consultant.

About the Author

An avid player of Golf, Scott manages Lost Golf Balls, where you can find all sorts of golf balls at amazing prices. He is an online entrepreneur and a part time blogger, covering topics related to eCommerce, social media, and Internet in general.