Pathway to Excellence

The World View of Success Success is a topic that inestimable people have contemplated throughout the years. Countless texts on what success is, how to get it, and how to know when you’ve gotten it line the shelves of bookstores and libraries everywhere. Many coaches can rattle off quotes of the “winningest,” most successful coaches from the past. But how often do we really think about the meaning of success? Vince Lombardi is often misquoted as having said, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Do we really believe that? If we do, then we must be willing to sell our souls for victory. Is winning the only thing? Is this truly a "dog-eat-dog" world? Does the end justify the means? In business, does the boss really care how hard one tries, or is the sale the bottom line? Does profit drive everything in business? The answers to these questions come down to the true meaning of success. Many people believe that the ultimate prize is the sale, the new big house, the new car, being on top, putting plaques on the wall, wearing the nicest clothes, and more. In this world, material matters. Well, the "material" in sport is wins. Regardless of the effort, regardless of the development in preparation, regardless of the team camaraderie, winning matters. Who finished second in the Super Bowl last year? Who won the silver medal in the Olympic Games 4 x 100 meter relay? Who has the second fastest time in the mile? People do not often care about second place. They admire the champion. People want to be around winners. They want to be first. This has a major impact on how people view sport. Consider the actions of many parents at Little League ball parks around the country. People are actually lying and cheating in order to allow their "too-old" son to play against younger boys. Parents can be seen yelling at officials, and at times, physically assaulting a referee over a "disputed" call. Children are being chagrined by parents because they "lost the game for everyone". Score that touchdown; hit that home run; make the goal; sink that putt; pick up that spare. It the world's view of success, this is all that matters. Being the best and being on top is the goal…regardless of how one gets there. Ultimately, there is only one winner; there is only one "the best." This attitude, although prevalent in our world, actually leads to guaranteed failure. With this view of success, success is unreachable; failure is unavoidable unless we change the world view of success. Mr. Vince Lombardi actually said, “Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.” He also said, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Although that puts a different slant on how we look at success, is it really the will to win that drives us to work long hours, plan practices, deal with frustration, and struggle through adversity? Is the "win" the ultimate goal. Christian coaches cannot take this view to heart lightly. Considering God's View of Success To begin seeking the true meaning of success, let's begin by listening to what God has to say about it. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34 “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ,...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;...I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:8, 10, 14 "…for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:7-9 It seems pretty clear that God does care about our success. In fact, He has created a manual for us to attain success. According to God, winning isn't everything. Amazingly enough, in His infinite wisdom, God has created a way for all to succeed. Yes, everyone wins! Regardless of the score, the cars, the houses, the boats; THESE DO NOT MATTER! WHAT MATTERS IS CHRIST! CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE SUCCESS! What we do to attain Christ provides success. The plan is already laid out for us. All we have to do is grasp it, take it into our hands and hold it to our hearts. There are countless books that have been written on success. Success everyday…my way! Many authors claim to have the "ticket" to success. Many believe that the key to success is just one more book away. These books are often, in fact, beneficial if they are used properly. More and more books on success continue to be written everyday (this one included). Yet, we must remember that the one best book on success has already been written. As we collect volumes of success-oriented books, our Bible sits on a lower shelf collecting dust. Now, is it okay to buy and read books on success? Yes. Can we apply the learning from these books to our coaching? Yes. Is it possible that earthly learning can couple with God's Word can become even more productive? YES! In other words, as we read the latest, we must also remember to read the first and the finest.