Run to Win!

The boy was gifted with all the talent necessary to be an outstanding athlete.

When doing individual workouts, he excelled.

But when gametime came, he never met his coach’s expectations.

That’s why his coach sent him to see me.

What I discovered was that he was filled with self-doubts and insecurities of not measuring up that he kept hidden from everyone.

During one session, he put into words how he approached competition. “I just don’t want to be the last one on the bench that the coach sends in to play.”

You know, I think a lot of people approach life the same way.

• Working a job just good enough not to get fired vs doing the best job you can

• Writing a book with the goal of not having it rejected vs writing a book that moves you

• Playing a game not to lose vs playing to win

• Living the Christian life to avoid hell vs living to enjoy heaven

• Running a race not to come in last vs running to win

That first approach lacks any joy or energy, increases self-doubt, and makes every movement perfunctory, doing just enough.

However, when you approach life the second way, it puts a smile on your face and fills your heart with satisfaction from doing your best.

Eventually, that young boy became a young man who excelled in competition, but more importantly, excelled at enjoying life.

* Taken from The Wit and Wisdom of David Johnson, Volume 1: I Didn’t Know Donkeys Could Laugh.