Competitive Greatness
Theme: Competitive Greatness
Verse: Run with a purpose in every step. (1 Corinthians 9:26)
Quote: “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better” – Bill Bradley, New Jersey Senator, 2 x NBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, Basketball Hall of Famer, and 1961 graduate of Crystal City (MO) High School. (Go Hornets!)
When I consider the greatest coaches of all time, it’s hard to argue with John Wooden, “The Wizard of Westwood” who led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA basketball championships in 12 years. Sure, he had great players, but he had to mold them into a team that could execute consistently night after night.
Wooden coined the term “Competitive Greatness.” What does that mean? It’s not being the BEST but being the BEST YOU CAN BE. There is a big difference. While there can only be one “BEST,” everyone can simultaneously be the “BEST THAT THEY CAN BE.” When that happens, especially in a team environment, that’s when you often see David defeat Goliath.
Competitive Greatness is rising to the occasion to push yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to reach your God given potential. It boils down to three “B”’s:
“BE” Prepared: This is fundamental to Competitive Greatness. During life God will present countless opportunities for you to be great. The question is will you be ready for the opportunity? Will you have prepared sufficiently when God puts an opportunity in front of us to be His Hands and Feet? Will you have the tools ready to provide spiritual, physical, or perhaps financial help in the opportunities placed before us?
“BE” Disciplined: This is working hard on your craft when no one is around. Great athletes put in the work. Maybe they do an extra set of pushups after the prescribed workout or shoot extra free throws after practice. For us maybe it is the self-discipline to read an extra book to make us ready for the opportunity that is coming around the bend.
“BE” Focused: This is about clear vision. We cannot hit a target upon which we are not focused. In the 2004 Olympics, the leader in the 50M rifle competition fired his final shot at the wrong target. His lack of focus took him from the gold medal to 8th place (BTW: except in the movie “Meet the Fockers” there is no medal for 8th place). When we focus on the right things, whether that is in sport or in our spiritual walk, our target remains clear. Staying focused on OUR RIGHT TARGET will lead to Competitive Greatness.
Maybe none of us can be THE BEST (Think of your favorite G.O.A.T. here). But the challenge going forward is for each of us THE BEST WE CAN BE. If we do that, we cannot be stopped and through us God will do amazing things.
Have a great week!
Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page