#5 Hedge your bets!

I know that yesterday we talked about how the only thing you need to do is to get in the game and that the rest will fall into place. I do think that this is the case, but I think we can add more to the story. I don’t want to make it sound like improvement is irrelevant, and that you don’t need to focus on getting better at something at all. As I mentioned in my series Son of Man, I think there is a fair amount of development that happens naturally when we jump into the game. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or a new hobby, you will get really far in something if you just jump in and adjust. As you find your balance, you will want to begin learning the difference between being in the game, and being the best at the game.

You see, there’s a certain skill level that it takes to just get into the game. Maybe you can’t hit a home-run, but if you can at least hit the ball consistently, you will probably make it onto the team. You may not be able to run fast, but if you can run at all, you will probably stay in the league. Maybe an employer is still willing to hire you, but only because their first choice took a better offer. And maybe you’re alright with just making the team. After all, they both get to play, right? 

I mean, if all you want is a mediocre life, then sure! Go ahead and do the bare minimum. Make the team, get a date, earn some money. I’m not here to judge, and if that’s what makes you happy, then be happy! But if you really want to make the most of your chance and truly show the world what you’re made of, you will have to put in a little extra effort. It may mean long nights practicing throwing and catching the ball. It may mean running extra miles on your own time. It may mean studying, reading, and practicing more than everyone else. But you want it more than anyone else. You don’t just want to be there, you want to be the best there is! 

I like to think of this like upping your odds. Yesterday we talked about needing to show up to up the odds of getting your chance. Intentionally improving yourself is like making the odds of your lucky break happening even higher. Think about it like this: suppose you wanted to be a really good doctor. How many patients do you think you would successfully heal if you didn’t go to school? You might get a few lucky guesses, but if you actually studied, that number would be far higher. If we want to be great, we have to put in the time to develop ourselves.

Is this making sense in light of yesterday’s post? On the one hand, we need to make sure we show up. We can’t run from the trial by fire. We all have to jump into it from time to time. But if we want to be the best of the best, we will have to keep working on our skills to get better at something. The more you put in, the more you’ll put out. 

The point that I really want to hammer home is to make sure you are trying to put your best foot forward without obsessing over having it all figured out ahead of time. Get out there and play ball! But focus on getting better between games so that you can not only win the game, but be the best on your team. Ultimately, all you need is a chance, and you want to make the most of that chance when it comes your way. 

So I pray that you find the time, the strength and the courage to put in the work. I pray you find yourself going from goodness to greatness and that you continue to believe in yourself. You’ve got what it takes. All you need is your chance! 

Until next time

May Peace be your Guide.