TAKING ON YOUR ROLE WITH EXCELLENCE

For the not so big football fans… No, this blog’s main point is not about the game, so hang on!)

NFL Football starts today! Finally! I’m more of a college football fan, and most of you know that kicked off last weekend. Wasn’t it great? The University of Texas started a true freshman quarterback and he showed up big. So did the fifth year senior quarterback that didn’t start, but DID RUN FOR THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN. He didn’t get his “dream” to START the game, but he was READY when his NAME WAS CALLED. We don’t know whether or not he felt this way at the time, but we do know that he played a key role for the sake of the TEAM. We all have our role in the game of life, and stepping into that and supporting the entire team around us is when we all are able to WIN BIG. (As a side note:  sometimes our role shifts, just like this quarterback from starter to finisher- sometimes as a parent we play the referee role, sometimes the coach, and sometimes the FAN, sitting on the side lines cheering to victory.)

What are some practical steps we can take to be sure we PLAY WITH EXCELLENCE WHEN OUR NAME IS CALLED?

1. PRACTICE – We all know this one, right?  It makes perfect sense when you’re referencing football, but practicing to be a good team player is important in every role we play.  If you are on the offensive line, your role is to protect the quarterback and the called play.  If you are a mom or dad, your role is to protect your children and play your role in developing their growth, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.   Just like the offensive line goes thru practice in this example, practice is also required for life’s other roles.  This happens through surrounding ourselves with other positive examples, reading, watching learning, etc.  PRACTICE is critical in every role.
2. CULTIVATE relationships with your team. I started out saying “Friendships” and then I realized not all team members are necessarily able to be friends. Unfortunately, there are people that will like you, and people that won’t, even on your own team. That is okay I’ve learned here in the past few years.  (Trust me, this one took we awhile). What is really important is respect and mutual understanding. Take the time to better understand others points of view and how they see the world. EXCELLENCE requires UNDERSTANDING, and it doesn’t just happen, it’s work, and it’s worth it – It WINS GAMES.
3. LEAN IN to your role. What does that really mean? Whatever role God put you in, EVEN IF IT’S NOT YOUR DREAM ROLE as I talked about in the opening paragraph, you are there for a reason. EMBRACE it. I heard the other day that 70 percent of the people aren’t happy in their jobs. That’s not good for so many reasons, but if you do choose to stay where you aren’t thriving, then you MUST “LEAN IN” in order to be effective as a team player. It would be worth the time to think thru, write down, and figure out what YOU CAN DO at this time, in THIS ROLE to be EXCELLENT. You may just find out that you are EFFECTIVE and you may just enjoy it!  This of course can be work, school, and even in your role in a local community, (PTO, football, soccer, dance parent… Etc.).

I’m cheering you on as you TAKE ON YOUR ROLE with EXCELLENCE.