Monday Marlin Motivation
Motivation Monday:
Be Uncomfortable with Average
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6BtbIiJ_rc
My favorite part of this video is the statement, “Be uncomfortable with average.”
But here’s the thing, what does average really even mean?
Average in sports is settling for just enough, giving effort only when someone is watching, or checking out when a drill or correction doesn’t seem to apply to you. It’s going through the motions instead of looking for ways to improve. That’s life too.
Average is normal. Average is baseline.
Be uncomfortable with average.
This season, our team has the opportunity to become more than just a good team – we can be a GREAT team. One that makes everyone around us better – our teammates, coaches, classmates, teachers, parents, siblings – the list goes on! Great teams aren’t built by a few players doing everything right; they’re built when every player brings energy, stays engaged, learns from every rep (which means being there for the reps!), and takes pride in the little things, even when no one is watching – that’s character. Every drill, every correction, and every teammate’s effort is an opportunity for all of us to grow. Challenge yourself to be a little better than you were yesterday, encourage the girl beside you to do the same, and remember that the standard we set together will determine how far we go.
The work we put in from day one is what will define our season. Let’s make average uncomfortable, push each other to be great, and make this a season we’re proud of!
Ehh you thought this was only about basketball?
Well here’s the thing, this doesn’t just apply to basketball! It applies to your job, your friendships, your family, your classes, and just about every part of life.
Are you the person who does the bare minimum at work, or the one who looks for ways to help out and make things better?
Do you only show up for people when it’s convenient, or are you someone they can count on when things get tough?
Do you give up when something gets hard, or do you push through and figure it out?
Do you only hold yourself to the low bar standard set but the toxic environment around you, or do you strive to be better and raise the bar everyday?
Trust me I know we all have days when we’re tired, frustrated, or just not feeling it, and that’s OKAY! But those are the moments when our character really shows. I’m saying these things to myself just as much as all of you – we don’t have to be the best at everything! Seriously, the world will keep turning. And we certainly don’t have to be perfect – that’s literally an impossible standard. But we should always be willing to learn, grow, and give our best.
I love this concept as a math person. Rather than chasing greatness or perfection – something we will never reach, let’s be uncomfortable with average. Because think about it – perfection is unattainable, but every time you get better not only are you moving further from the average but eventually your “score” will bring the average up as well. Then you’ll still have something to be moving away from, but also elevating those around you as well if you are all uncomfortable with average. Literally raising the bar!
Don’t settle for being someone who just gets by when you have the opportunity to be someone who makes a difference. That’s how we become great at basketball, great at our jobs, a great friend, and most importantly, a great human.
So, wherever we are and whatever we do this week, lets ask ourselves: am I just going through the motions, or am I making the most of the opportunity in front of me?
But wait, there’s more!
Most importantly don’t forget, God didn’t put us here to just go through the motions either!
We’re each blessed with gifts, talents, and opportunities. What we choose to do with them matters.
Just like the 2 and 5 talent men in Matthew 25 – work to make them grow. Or in Colossians 3:23 which reminds us to work at everything with all our hearts, as if we’re working for the Lord. That means giving our best even when nobody is watching. Treating others with kindness and encouraging the people around us. That means being good stewards of the gifts we’ve been blessed with. Whether that gift is basketball, encouraging, teaching, being a parent, lawyer, doctor, sibling, coach, human… all the things – whatever our talents, share them, cultivate them, be the BEST we can be at them. Be uncomfortable with average.
We don’t have to be perfect, but we should strive to grow into the people God created us to be. Don’t settle for average when you have the opportunity to honor God through your effort, your attitude, and the way you treat others.
Here’s to a great season, a great week, and a great LIFE! Go Marlins!
