Complacency kills. As parents, teachers, coaches, employers, or whatever position it is you hold, it is critical that we do not get lulled into accepting being average. Now don't get me wrong, there are some among us that want their child to be the best and they are willing to do whatever it takes to assure that happens. Think lawnmower parents, "Whatever gets in the way of my child's success, at whatever endeavor they are pursuing, I am going to make sure they are successful, whatever it takes!" Yet even in that unhealthy scenario, basically what a "lawnmower" parent is saying is my child can't navigate and negotiate for him/her self so I'm going to intervene since they aren't capable of doing it on their own. In other words, accepting average, but expecting excellent. There's a problem in there, but that may be more for another time. We as a society should expect more of our children, who wants to be ordinary, when you can and should be extraordinary!
I recently took part in a conference where the keynote speaker was Dr. Kevin Fleming, a true advocate for student success, speaking about careers and how we get caught up focusing on the "average" pay for various career fields ranging from a student holding a bachelor’s degree in Business to a plumber working as his own boss. The message was that when we look at those two career paths the main number that is associated with income is the average or median salary for each particular job. The gist of the discussion was that on the average, someone with a four-year Business degree may make more than an average plumber, but who wants to be an average anything? An above average plumber earns considerably more than an average person working in a "business" setting as a manager, department head, etc... That's where we have got to focus our attention in life as we teach, encourage, coach, or support our children. We all need to find where our strengths lie that make us unique then build and grow them in that area. They are not average!
I started today's message with the statement, complacency kills. Believe me it does. If we sit back and accept being average, then don't expect progress to be achieved at the rate necessary to be successful. Each and every person is unique and special, point blank. That isn't the issue, I believe we all can agree that we are uniquely created. What I'm not as sure about is whether we all understand that in our uniqueness each of us was created to do something amazing and world changing, you just have to find out what that "something" is and then do all you can to become the best at whatever it is that you have the potential to be the best!
Don't force a round peg to fit in a square hole, but do find round holes everywhere you go for that round peg to work itself into and through that hole! Once a child realizes what their true strengths and aptitudes are then pour on the opportunities to learn, experience, and excel in related areas. Turn passions into pathways, and then turn a pathway into a career. Teach them to be lifelong learners and to be resilient to the point of earning the nickname "True Grit". Falling down through the process is completely acceptable, staying on the ground is totally unacceptable. Make them get up with your encouragement, but on their own. Don't sit there and catch them every time just before they hit the ground. Lessons learned, make for future success just as much as winning the race.
In Colossians 3:17 Paul encourages us, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Paul said "whatever you do" do your best. Give it your all, don't accept complacency, being average, or being ordinary. If you do all you do with the mindset of I am doing this for my God, then you should not just do an average job doing it! You definitely want to be extraordinary and to do that you can't sit around being ordinary. Give the extra, do a little more than expected, dig in and lock down. It may get tough, but that is when it gets good! Be extraordinary!
Coach Carter
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