Act Like You’ve Been There Before 8-15-25 - Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Summary4 min read

Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Act Like You’ve Been There Before
Host: Scott Becker
Release Date: August 15, 2025

Introduction: Embracing Confidence in Challenging Situations

In this insightful episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, host Scott Becker delves into the pivotal concept of acting like you've been there before. Through personal anecdotes from his experiences in golf and tennis, Scott unpacks the significance of confidence, poise, and mental composure in overcoming challenges both on and off the field.

The Golf Match: A Lesson in Poise Under Pressure

[00:00 - 04:30]
Scott begins by recounting a particularly nerve-wracking golf match he played shortly before recording the podcast. Despite being an inexperienced golfer compared to his opponent, Scott emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure.

Initial Struggles: Scott admits, "I was playing awful for most of the match. I was so nervous, so tight at 30 cups of coffee in the morning" ([01:15]). His anxiety was palpable, stemming from both personal performance and the impending competition.
Climbing Back: Despite early setbacks, Scott managed to claw back and take the lead, being up by two holes with three to go. However, his opponent, a far more seasoned and poised competitor, began to close the gap.
Critical Moments: On the 16th hole, Scott describes the pressure: "I'm up by two holes with three holes to go... I screw up the hole, we tie the hole" ([03:00]). His struggles culminated in a double bogey on the 18th hole, turning a likely victory into a tied match that extended into a deciding hole.
Final Outcome: In a dramatic finish, Scott managed a critical putt on the 20th hole, securing a win despite his earlier performance. Reflecting on the outcome, he notes, "I am so surprised to win" ([04:25]), highlighting the unexpected nature of his victory against a superior opponent.

Key Takeaway: Scott underscores the value of acting with confidence even when circumstances seem daunting. By maintaining a poised demeanor, he was able to overcome significant odds and secure a win.

The Tennis Match: Trusting in Experienced Leadership

[04:31 - 10:00]
Transitioning from golf, Scott shares a parallel experience from a competitive tennis match that further illustrates his central theme.

Early Deficit: Scott describes being in a state championship doubles match where he and his partner were down by four sets: "We're down four on the first set... I am done" ([06:00]). Faced with imminent defeat, his initial reaction was to concede and leave the match.
Partner’s Assurance: Contrary to his expectations, his partner, an accomplished player, exuded unwavering confidence. "Justin, the partner, says to me, you know, I've sized this up. We're going to win" ([07:15]). This declaration served as a catalyst for Scott to adopt a more positive and resilient mindset.
Strategic Shift: Inspired by his partner’s confidence, Scott aligned his attitude accordingly, even though he personally doubted their chances: "The only way we're going to win is if I stay out of the way" ([08:30]). This shift in approach allowed them to collaborate more effectively, ultimately leading to a remarkable comeback victory.

Key Takeaway: Leadership and confidence can significantly influence outcomes. By supporting his partner's assured stance, Scott learned the importance of trusting in experienced guidance and maintaining composure under pressure.

Insights on Confidence and Poise

[10:01 - 14:45]
Drawing from his sports experiences, Scott synthesizes the lessons learned into broader insights applicable to business and personal growth.

Athletic vs. General Confidence: Scott differentiates between athletic confidence and general confidence, acknowledging that while he possesses elements of the latter, it doesn't always manifest consistently: "Athletic confidence, in athletic greatness... the poise that some people have that I don't often have" ([12:10]).
Acting as Experienced: The recurring theme is the power of acting as though one has the requisite experience and composure, even when facing unfamiliar or challenging situations. "You have to act in everything you're doing like you've been there before" ([11:30]).
Impact on Performance: By embodying confidence, individuals can alter their performance and outcomes positively, as demonstrated in both the golf and tennis narratives.

Conclusion: Embracing the 'Been There Before' Mindset

In wrapping up the episode, Scott reiterates the central philosophy that acting like you've been there before can transform how one navigates challenges. Whether in sports, business, or personal endeavors, maintaining confidence and composure can lead to unexpected successes, even against the odds.

He reflects, "I wish more often I could act like I've been there before and now like such a rookie and such a novice but it is what it is. This is life" ([14:00]), acknowledging the ongoing journey toward embodying this mindset consistently.

Final Thoughts

Scott Becker's episode offers a compelling exploration of confidence and mental fortitude through relatable sports stories. By emphasizing the importance of acting as if one is already experienced, Scott provides listeners with actionable insights that can be applied to various aspects of life and business, reinforcing the notion that mindset plays a crucial role in achieving success.

Notable Quotes:

"Act like you've been there before." ([00:45])
"I was so nervous, so tight at 30 cups of coffee in the morning." ([01:20])
"I'm up by two holes with three holes to go... I screw up the hole, we tie the hole." ([03:10])
"We’re going to win." – Justin, Scott's tennis partner ([07:20])
"You have to act in everything you're doing like you've been there before." ([11:35])
"I wish more often I could act like I've been there before and now like such a rookie and such a novice but it is what it is. This is life." ([14:10])

Listen to the full episode here to gain deeper insights into mastering confidence and achieving success through the power of mindset.

Loading summary

Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. So here's the discussion. The discussion is act like you've been there before. So here's the build up to this. Act like you've been there before. So I had a golf match today. This is right here, tomorrow. And in this golf match, I played somebody who is a better golfer than me. I was playing awful for most of the match. I was so nervous, so tight at 30 cups of coffee in the morning. Recorded all my podcasts with my incredible producer this morning, and we just sort of in no mood to play a golf match. And you sort of have to act like you've been there before. So how this goes is I'm down most of the match. I finally claw back and get in front, and I'm winning the match. I'm up by two holes with three to go, and I'm getting a stroke on one of the last few holes. And so it looks as though this should essentially be in the bag. But I'm playing against a guy who is a much better golfer than me and a much more poised competitor than me, just all around better at all of this stuff. And he's been doing it for longer, just, just much better. Better lawyer, better person, better golfer, and more poised competitor. So, of course I'm up two holes with three holes to go. I managed to lose the 16th hole, which I didn't really. He played a great hole. The 70th hole, I'm getting a stroke on. And I know nobody's really interested in hearing all this background and so forth, but it leads to your point. And 70th hole, I'm getting a stroke. I of course, screw up the hole, we tie the hole, I get a double bogey, he gets a single bogey. But to my, to my defense, it's a 550 yard hole. Playing along tees way and back. Those are all my excuses, but right below the hole. So all I got to do on the next hole is I'm up one with one to go. All I have to do the next hole is tie the hole and I win because so. And I figure, you know, everybody's nervous, we're tight, probably don't need to be in a part, just need a bogey to tie the hole. And of course I managed to totally blow up the hole. Eighteen holes, the first hole that I completely blew up all day. So now we're, we're tied after 18, have to go to 19. I barely scrape by a 19 to stay tied with them. The 20th hole. I try every which way to screw it up. I almost put a ball in the water. I finally make a putt from 15ft away, which I haven't done that all day. I was so poor in everything. Horrible day of golfing, and it goes in. So I have a bogey. He who's a much better golfer player, golfer, finally messes up on a hole. And so I win. And I am so surprised to win. This is the difference in athletic confidence, in athletic greatness. I'm so surprised to win that the guy I'm playing with as gracious a person as they come, the best of the best, says to me, at some point, you know, you won. At which point I have to say, yeah, of course I know I won. And so the point is, you have to act in everything you're doing like you've been there before. I was so shell shocked that actually won today because I'm so bad and he's so much better. But he messed up at the right time for me. I messed up most of the right times for him, but then I won. He was so surprised to see me win. I was so surprised to see me win. They just say to me, you know you won, don't you? I mean, that's how clueless I was. So the lesson for today is act like you've been there before. I'll tell a story of a. Of a tennis match years ago when I played with a brilliant partner who won a state tournament in doubles. And we're just getting crushed. We're down four on the first set, and this is like, it's a long story, but it's the end of a season thing. It's a championship match. And my partner, who is brilliant and great and fantastic, says to me, we're down 4 0. And at this point, if you have my mental composure, you figure you are done, you are now lost, that things are over, we might as well just go home, let me run out of the clubhouse as quick as I can and go get a beer down the street, because I am done. And so what happens here? Much to my surprise, Justin, the partner, says to me, you know, I've sized this up. We're going to win. And I'm like, well, the only way we're going to win is if I stay out of the way. But there's no way in the world I thought that. But this goes to this concept of athletic confidence, general confidence, this poise that some people have that I don't often have. I have it in some place, but not others and he says we're going to win, you know and I'm like of course we're not going to win but I'm like okay I'll go along with that. Sure. So we do end up winning but again not because of me in any way, stretch or form. I was ready to concede full of dent and go home. But the point is he had been there before and knew what he had to be done to then win and so I just love this concept of like act like you've been there before you know it it's really I, I get this from many places but today was a perfect example of this. I wish more often I could act like I've been there before and now like such a rookie and such a novice but it is what it is. This is life. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Thank you very very.