Take Your Shot Quotes
by Robin Waite
This page collects some of the most useful lines from Take Your Shot. You will find thoughts on goal setting, coaching, business, time, and the small choices that keep people stuck. Some lines are practical, some are personal, and a few hit like a wake-up call.
The book is quotable because it mixes simple advice with real frustration. It does not pretend change is easy, but it keeps pointing back to action. If you have ever felt busy without progress, these lines will feel familiar and worth returning to.
Top Quotes from Take Your Shot
“Most people do the same thing day in and day out, whether it be in a job or their own business. People are always incredibly busy, and finances are tight. Life is constantly in a state of stress. But, if you just carry on doing the same old thing, nothing is ever going to change.”
David explains to Russ why people remain stuck in stressful, repetitive lives.
It names the trap of busyness and stress while offering a simple but demanding truth about change. It resonates because it applies far beyond business.
“Life without a clearly defined goal is nothing more than meaningless actions with no clear sense of direction. You have to choose a single goal to focus on and ensure that all activity is geared towards that one goal.”
David tells Russ why setting a clearly defined goal is essential.
It reframes busyness as meaningless without direction and urges total focus on one goal.
“The quickest way to fail is through procrastination. If you make the decision quickly and you get it wrong, you can pivot and pull yourself back on track.”
David explains how hesitation and slow decisions can be more dangerous than mistakes.
It turns failure into feedback and encourages fast, corrective action instead of paralysis.
“The BIGGEST mistake entrepreneurs make is chasing the next new shiny thing. What starts out as an activity which gets you closer to your goal quickly turns into an idea and starts a chain of events which results in a new goal, taking you away from the initial goal that you set for yourself.”
David warns Russ about distractions that pull entrepreneurs away from their original goal.
It names the seductive trap of novelty and shows how small diversions quietly replace the real objective.
“Firstly, you have to have a specific goal. Secondly, you have to have a strong desire to achieve that goal. Finally, you must take positive action to achieve that goal.”
David summarizes the goal principles he drew from Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich.
It distills achievement into a simple sequence: clarity, desire, and action.
“The objective isn't about golf at all; it's about inspiring others to be the best. Show them what they can achieve. TAKE YOUR SHOT!”
Russ realizes that golf coaching is a vehicle for a larger mission.
It expands the story beyond technique and competition into inspiring others to reach their potential.
“You can always make more money, but you can never make any more time, therefore, selling an hour of your time is like selling your soul.”
David explains the first common pricing mistake: charging an hourly rate.
It is a vivid, memorable argument for valuing time and pricing on value rather than time.
Themes Behind the Quotes
The main threads are direction, discipline, and honest self-reflection. The book keeps returning to the idea that a vague wish is not enough. You need a clear goal, a real reason to chase it, and consistent action. It also warns against distraction, especially the temptation to chase every new idea instead of finishing what matters.
Another theme is the value of coaching and personal responsibility. A coach can guide and challenge, but the work still belongs to you. Time is treated as the most limited resource, so trading hours for money without a larger purpose feels like a poor deal. Underneath it all is a push to stop holding back, help others, and act on the opportunity you have been avoiding.
Quotes by Chapter
CHAPTER 1
“The darkness was oppressive, and the dreariness of winter brought out absolute depression and anxiety in me.”
Russ describes the mental weight of dark winter mornings as he forces himself out of bed.
It captures how seasonal darkness and exhaustion can make an ordinary morning feel overwhelming. The words give an honest voice to the anxiety many people hide.
“It can’t carry on like this. Me, doing the same thing day in day out when things weren't getting any better. I had to change something, now, but what?”
After imagining a normal job, Russ reaches a breaking point about his current life.
It is a raw moment of realization that many burnt-out or self-employed readers will recognize. The question at the end makes the urge for change feel urgent and unresolved.
“I had sacrificed friendships and given up my own time. Most days I questioned whether it was worth it.”
Russ reflects on the personal cost of building his golf coaching business.
It names the hidden sacrifices behind chasing a dream and the doubt that often comes with them. It resonates because ambition can quietly strain relationships and identity.
“My daydream had come full circle, and I realised I am one of the lucky few who gets to pursue my passion and do a job I love.”
At the end of his commute, Russ returns to gratitude for the work he has chosen.
It reframes struggle into gratitude without denying the difficulty. The line reminds readers that doing what you love is both hard and worth valuing.
CHAPTER 2
“Coaching is not for someone who isn’t willing to take criticism. I coach the person and not the business, so the relationship I build with my clients is critical. If someone says, ‘Yes, but...’ to me; they are not coachable. You have to want to be coached. Otherwise, it never works.”
David describes his coaching philosophy to Russ on the driving range.
It is a sharp definition of coachability and personal growth. The line about “Yes, but...” is memorable because it identifies the exact resistance that blocks change.
“You can do anything, you know, Russ, when you put your mind to it.”
David encourages Russ after sharing how having children made him more productive in his coaching practice.
It is a compact, uplifting reminder of human potential. Its power comes from David saying it as someone who has lived through the same season of life.
“I could feel my heart soar. I could tell David understood how I was feeling. He had an enormous warmth emanating from him. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I trusted him.”
Russ reflects on the instant connection and trust he feels with David.
It captures how meaningful relationships can form quickly when someone truly understands you. The passage makes David’s warmth feel tangible and sets up his later advice.
CHAPTER 3
“You can do anything you want to when you put your mind to it.”
Russ recalls what David said during his brief lesson earlier in the week.
It is a simple, portable affirmation that fuels Russ's imagination and can inspire readers to aim higher.
“I have a saying which is ‘Always be the Coach’ which means that if there’s an opportunity to help I will always be the coach and help if that’s ok with you?”
David explains his personal coaching philosophy during Russ's lesson.
It reframes coaching as a constant, generous way of being rather than a job. The motto is memorable and service-oriented.
“Russ, what if I said I could guarantee that I could get all of your clients to come to every single lesson, and that you could make a little bit more money in the process?”
At the end of their lesson, David proposes a deal to help Russ's business.
This is the chapter's turning point, offering hope and a concrete promise of change. It hooks readers because it turns frustration into possibility.
“The first exercise I want you to do for next Tuesday is to write up a list of your one, three, five and ten-year goals. No matter how big or small. But imagine where you want your life to be at each interval. Share your goals with your wife. Write them down for me. We'll discuss them next week.”
David gives Russ his first weekly assignment as part of their arrangement.
It turns inspiration into action by asking for written goals across time horizons. The specific, shareable task makes the advice practical and accountable.
CHAPTER 5
“It wasn’t my clients who were the problem; it was me. All this time I had been playing too small. I had never given a thought to how much I wanted to earn each year.”
Russ reflects after realizing he had been thinking too small about his earning potential.
It captures the mindset shift from blaming clients to taking ownership of your ambitions. It reminds readers that growth often starts with a brutally honest look inward.
“I had no idea what had happened during the 60 minutes I spent with David that Tuesday morning but, for the first time since launching my business, I felt a burning and overwhelming desire to succeed.”
After his first session with David, Russ lies in bed imagining a serious living from golf lessons.
It conveys the spark of belief and motivation that comes when a new possibility feels real. That feeling of wanting to succeed can be more powerful than any strategy.
“I'm like a personal trainer, I show you all of the exercises and educate you on your nutrition. However, I am not going to put your trainers on and go running for you. You have to be in the right frame of mind, the right mode, to be receptive to coaching otherwise none of it will stick.”
David explains his role as a business coach to Russ.
It defines coaching as guidance rather than done-for-you work, a key lesson for any service provider. It also stresses that real change requires the client’s readiness and participation.
“You must remember that you are NOT selling golf lessons. You are selling a result - this is your product. You cannot sell one product either; you must offer an element of choice.”
David teaches Russ that his lessons must be packaged as products, not sold as mere hours.
It reframes the business from selling a commodity to selling a transformation. The line is memorable because it applies far beyond golf.
CHAPTER 6
“The recognition of being at the best of one’s game. That's why people want to play golf. If you practice and become good at something, it becomes more enjoyable.”
Russ reflects on why people play golf after the insight hits him on the course.
It frames improvement as a path to recognition and enjoyment, a universal motivation beyond golf.
“The satisfaction of how the perfect shot feels, and feeling in total control of your swing so you can create that feeling time and time again.”
Russ continues his realization about what makes golf enjoyable.
It captures the addictive feeling of mastery and control that keeps people practicing.
“It's obvious, Russ, you're Stu's brother, and he does nothing but talk about how amazing a golfer you are. Plus your approach is brilliant, a simple program of eight lessons. I love the fact there's a guaranteed outcome at the end of eight weeks. It's a no-brainer for me.”
Simon answers Russ's question about why he would choose him as a coach.
It shows that referrals and simple, outcome-guaranteed offers often matter more than being the best.
“Being called ‘the best’ makes me feel uncomfortable. I was always proud whenever a client got good results and improved their game. I never felt like I was good despite others telling me I was.”
Russ reflects on praise after Simon explains why he chose him.
It captures the humble, self-doubting voice many readers recognize in themselves even when others see their success.
CHAPTER 7
“He was right; I'd helped others out for so long but never taken my shot. Taking my shot isn't about me at all. Taking my shot is about helping my clients, and I've taken the easy way out of everything.”
Russ reflects after David pushes him to identify his deeper reason for improving his business.
It reframes ambition as service and gives the book’s title a selfless, motivating meaning.
“Time flies, hey, Russ? It's something I come across all the time with my clients. I have a saying which is ‘one overestimates how much one can achieve in a month, but underestimate how much one can accomplish in a year.’ Just imagine where you could be in 12 months, Russ.”
David responds when Russ is surprised by how much progress he has made in six weeks.
It captures the compounding power of consistent focus and encourages a longer-term view.
CHAPTER 8
“As I rode off out into the darkness, freshly charged lights blazing, I felt a familiar feeling of exhilaration. Like those projects and adventures, I used to have as a child.”
Russ rides out into the pre-dawn darkness for his first bike ride in years.
It captures the thrill of reclaiming a lost passion and the sense of freedom that comes with it.
“I was so stiff after my ride, but it had made me realise that I needed to make a long-term commitment to my fitness. Being physically fit makes the golf game so much easier.”
After a long, stiffening bike ride, Russ realizes he must recommit to fitness.
It connects physical fitness to professional performance in a simple, practical way.