The Early Bird Gets The Worm.

I can remember from my early childhood memories my parents explaining to me the advantages of seizing the day. Hardworking people who solved our family problems before I even woke up by 7am. They would often tell me if you have a plan and and I added hard work to it I could achieve things I never thought possible.

Are athletes born great? Was Michael Jordan destined to be arguably the greatest basketball player just based on his God given gifts? Would people like Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Frazier, Lebron James or Steph Curry reach their full potential by just being born? Sure, they were born with some physical gifts that placed them ahead of the rest of us . They were given a head start. They were not the only people during their youthful years born with similar speed, size, and athleticism. We need to ask ourselves the following? What separates average athletes from good ones? But more importantly, what separates good athletes from great ones?

Proverbs 22:29 states “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”. This scripture gives us great insight on how to reach the highest level in life. We have to be very skillful in our work. No matter what you want to achieve their has to be a commitment to developing your skill.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become great in sports. Typically, it’s not your lack of physical gifts but the lack of investment in oneself. The opportunity to achieve your dreams are in your control. If you are willing to sacrifice your time, your energy, and your effort you can achieve well beyond your physical gifts. No matter what you want to achieve you must put time into being better than your competition. Chances are if your are willing to work harder than others more consistently you will be great in what you desire. With your child, find their passion and allow them to pour themselves into it. Find people who can help them become very skillful in their work. They will stand among kings. This doesn’t mean they will be living in a kingdom having people serve them. They will be among the best in their field. They will be amongst the best on earth.

Start now! Start his/her skill development while your competition is playing on their Ipad or playing video games. While the competition is on social media get them to the gym. One extra hour a day can be the difference between making a team or dealing with the disappointment of being cut. It’s the difference in making a team or playing in the game. lt could be the difference in having a student loan and earning a debt free college education. I’m a living example of that early bird finding the worm.