At the British Open this weekend, Scottie Scheffler gave a press conference I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
It echoed one of the most important ideas in my new book, The Joy Molecule:
“I’ve said it for a long time: golf is not how I identify myself. I don’t identify myself by winning tournaments, chasing trophies, being famous or whatever.”
That truth hit me deeply.
Because in my own search for joy, I’ve realized how much of my identity has been tied to outcomes; how things look, what I achieve, and whether it all feels “successful” on the outside.
But identity, when built only on what we do, becomes a trap.
And that’s one of the biggest things that has kept me from fully experiencing joy.
When I listen to Scottie speak, what stands out isn’t just his non-attachment to winning—it’s his clarity. He knows:
- What he is: one of the best golfers in the world.
- Who he is: a humble, grounded man, faithful husband, and new father.
- Why he’s here: not to chase trophies, but to live with peace, purpose, and love.
As he said, “Winning feels great—for like a few minutes.”
Then life moves on.
He even admitted:
“This is not a fulfilling life. It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart.”
What struck me most is that he puts family and faith ahead of everything else. He said he would walk away from golf if it ever pulled him out of alignment with what matters most.
That’s not just clarity. That’s integrity. That’s joy.
So what about you?
- Are you doing something that defines you, or just something that fills your day?
- Do you know what you’re good at, but still feel like something’s missing?
- Does your work reflect your heart, or just your résumé?
Joy doesn’t come from how the world sees you.
It comes from how connected you feel to your own truth.
What keeps you from connecting to yourtruth?