Talent is Never Enough

There are so many talented people in the world, but why is it that so many never reach their full talent potential?  The reason, author Fred Smith says, "Is that the giftedness is usually greater than the person."  People who are talented often go about their daily routine thinking that they can succeed on talent alone.  But that is a completely false and dangerous mindset.  It takes much more than talent to succeed in business or life.  Philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show.  Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to a new power as a benefactor."  But how do we utilize the talent that God has graciously given us?  What do we need to do in order to pull every ounce of talent out of ourselves?  In John Maxwell's book, Talent Is Never Enough, he writes his 13 key choices that are a necessity in order to reach our maximum potential. 

1. BELIEF lifts your talent.
2. PASSION energizes your talent.
3. INITIATIVE activates your talent.
4. FOCUS directs your talent.
5. PREPARATION positions your talent.
6. PRACTICE sharpens your talent.
7. PERSEVERANCE sustains your talent.
8. COURAGE tests your talent.
9. TEACHABILITY expands your talent.
10. CHARACTER protects your talent.
11. RELATIONSHIPS influence your talent.
12. RESPONSIBILITY strengthens your talent.
13. TEAMWORK multiplies your talent.

So, as coaches, how can we get the most out of our talent?  How can we use these principles to motivate our players?  What choices do we need to start making to reach our potential.  And players, how can you use these tips to make you a better teammate or player on the court?  We all need to take a look and examine our hearts to see if we possess these 13 qualities that will make the most of our talent.  If we are lacking then changes need to be made.  Talent is never enough, so let's pursue our full potential that God has given us and really go beyond our talent.

Taken from John C. Maxwell's book, Talent is Never Enough.

Confidence and Courage

I've been reading a book by the NBA's Orlando Magic Sr. Vice President, Pat Williams entitled, Extreme Focus.  A lot of great insight and especially on confidence and courage.  In one of his chapters, Williams gives us 7 ways to increase our confidence and courage and I just wanted to share those with you real quick. Here they are:

1. Give yourself permission to fail.

2. Don't listen to your doubts and fears.

3. Be prepared; preparation builds confidence.

4. Be boldly decisive.

5. When you crash, get right back into the cockpit.

6. Be boldly who you are.

7. Have the courage to do good.

I think these are great points and can be done in a way that glorifies God through coaching and living.

Control Freak

If you have ever been in a leadership role and been dubbed the name of "control freak," you know that is not a good thing.  The definition in the picture to the left sums it up perfectly.  Control freaks live by the saying, "If I don't control the world, the world will control me."  Obviously, it is crucial to be in control of your life and know the One who is in control of your life, but it becomes detrimental when you begin to try and control the lives of everyone that you come in contact with.  Relationships are damaged, families are torn apart, and people are driven crazy by you.  The worst part of all of this is while a control freak is so focused on others and what they are doing, they are undermining their own life, dreams and successes.  To avoid the name tag of "Control Freak,"  make sure that you are focused on the things that you CAN control.  When you focus on the things you can control, you will find that your dreams will become reality and you will accomplish more.  Reinhold Niebuhr, a theologian, published a prayer many years ago about allowing a sovereign God to rule our lives.  The prayer goes as follows:

God, grand me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Allow yourself to ponder on that prayer daily and let God grant you the wisdom to control the things you can control.  Take it upon yourself to seek out the things of God and avoid becoming a "control freak."