What Motivates You?

We all have our goals, needs, and desires that motivate us on a daily basis, however, there are always days where we have no motivation.  Why does that happen and how do we keep it from happening? Here are my thoughts:


1. Personal goals will only get you so far.  I believe the days in which our motivation levels are low are the days we are being selfish and just thinking about ME.  Times, awards, and medals are great, but there is more and these goals need to be tied to something bigger.

2. Contribute to someone else' goals. Everything you do has an impact on somebody else.  You can either push someone or a group of people forward or be the anchor that keeps everyone from setting sail. If you can't push yourself forward, push somebody else forward.  In fact, it should be in that order in the first place. Contribute to your teams success, don't be the week link.

3. Turn goals into behaviors.  Goals are where we want the journey to end, however, how do you have to act to get there, what behaviors do you have to learn. Focus on those behaviors and not the finish line.

The next time you need some motivation, stop thinking about yourself, make someone else better, and focus on the lessons and behaviors your goals are forcing you to learn.  I think you will be more successful.

Let Him in the Boat

Sometimes, it funny how the Lord puts you in the right place at the right time.  This past Sunday, I heard a sermon that really influenced me.  It talked about new goals, fears, finding God's presence and what Jesus does when you let him in the boat.  It carried over to what we are experiencing at this very moment with new semesters, new teammates, new goals, and all the fears that go along with it.

First, I have to give credit to where credit is due.  Rev. Peter Jonker was the pastor and the sermon took place at LaGrave Ave. CRC this past Sunday.  Here is a link to the audio version.  It is well worth the 15 minutes.

http://lagraveavecrc.org/flash_media/09_15_13_11am.mp3

I hope that link works! if not go to the church website and to the sermon search and you'll find the title.

I used the key points with my team yesterday for our weekly devotions.  The sermon comes from the story of when Jesus called Peter to be a disciple, first using Peter's boat as a pulpit and then proceeding to tell Peter to go out in the deep water (after spending all night catching nothing) and catches more fish than his boat can carry. If you don't know the story it can be found in Luke 5:1-11.

1.  Once you let Jesus in the boat He will push and challenge you.  If you break down the story, Peter was not seeking Jesus out.  He was coming in after a long night of bad fishing when he gets sweet talked by this Rabbi to use his boat to preach a sermon, then going out and into deep waters to catch fish he couldn't catch all night long.  Peter was probably rolling his eyes like we all do when asked to do something above and beyond what we are ready for.

2.   Once you let Jesus in the boat He will show you a whole new world.  By letting Jesus into the boat, Peter's life changed.  He saw and did thing he never imagined were possible.  Peter walked on water, witnessed the transfiguration, the cross, and countless other miracles.  Who knows what is out there if you don't let him in the boat.

3.  When Jesus pushes you there is fear.  Every time Jesus shows up in peoples lives throughout the bible there is always a fear.  From Isaiah to Mary after the resurrection to the shepherds tending their flock by night.  If you are looking for God's presence in today's world, it could very well be in the fear we experience when we are being pushed to speak about our faith, or get involved in a new group, or stand up for what we believe.  In the sermon, Peter Jonker says that kind of fear is God sent.

If you have time, listen to the sermon, I hope it speaks to you as it spoke to me

O Captain, My Captain

I have been talking with my captains a lot these past two weeks as we prepare for the coming season.  I think it is a great experience and a great opportunity to be a captain.  It is also hard for captains to get it 100% right, as it is hard for anyone to be a leader.  Here are my 3 keys to being a great captain:

1.  Don't Put yourself on a pedestal, rather take a step lower and work in the trenches.  Sometimes it is easy to receive a leadership position and see yourself looking down and speaking down at everyone.  Rather, dive down into the trenches, and serve those that you are leading.  Lift up everyone's voice, not just your own, make sure everyone's needs are being met, not just yours, and be humble.

2.  It's how you act to adversity, not how well you perform.  I have had a few captains ruin their senior year by putting too much pressure on their performance.  They thought they had to have the best workouts, the best taper, the best results.  All that stuff is great, but a true captain is one that you will look to when you lose a close meet, the one that is not afraid to talk have a tough conversation, the one that will react the best to the worst.

3.  Know your strengths.  It is always awkward to hear someone try to give an inspirational speech and they aren't very good at it.  Don't be afraid to delegate tasks to those that are best suited.  Sometimes there are leaders that are great speakers, sometimes there are leaders that are great workers, that is why quite often we have more than one captain, to maximize our talents.  Do what you do well, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you come to an area that is not your strong suit.  Get others involved.

Remember, Jesus chose 12 very ordinary people with very different backgrounds and gifts and changed the world.  What difference can you make in your team.