If You Ain’t Growing, You’re Dying
If You Ain’t Growing, You’re Dying
I was recently attending a Grace@Work Bible study in a conference room at the ATDC. Cortney, my friend and facilitator, asked this simple question, “What do you practice?”We had just read the third chapter of 1 John where John writes, “Do not make a practice of sinning.” Cortney asked this question to get us engaged and thinking about the word “practice” in a broader sense.
Practicing the Game
Mike, one of the attendees, said, “I used to spend a lot of time practicing golf.” And then he went on to explain all he did to get better.I said, “I did the same thing after I joined Atlanta Country Club. I decided I was going to master the game and spent hours watching videos, chipping, putting, hitting balls, taking lessons, and playing. I did get better, but the commitment was not nearly worth the result.”Then a few more folks spoke up. While they were talking, it hit me. I don’t practice anything with that intensity anymore. This means I am not actively working at becoming better at something. I was convicted once again, “You are getting lazy.” My nephew, Andy, who is always going non-stop, quotes me as saying, “If you ain’t growing, you’re dying."
Practice, Practice, Practice
As I look back on my career, I see I spent a lot of time practicing many different skill sets. I practiced accounting, teaching, sales, programming, management, public speaking, investing, and being a good husband and father.I was on it. I was constantly learning. The goal was to be better, to be competitive in anything that I chose to undertake.So what happened to me? After pondering this question for a few days, I came to a conclusion. I stopped competing. When I competed, the stakes were high. After all, I could lose. And I hate to lose. Just hate it.
What Is Interesting
Now that I am sixty-four, I realize I don’t put myself in a position where I can lose. Where there is risk in not achieving the goal.That is what made my life interesting.What kept me interested.What keeps me interesting.As I get older, I see how easy it is to fall into the role of spectator.
Living On the Line
This is why I love entrepreneurs. They don’t sit around talking about what they did or what others are doing. They tell you what they are doing.They are putting themselves, their money, and their reputations on the line every day.They are full of life and full of passion. They live in the shadow of failure. Their job is to stay ahead of it and achieve success.
I Need Adrenaline
As an entrepreneur, God has given me five basic needs I must satiate.
I need to get my juices flowing again.
I need to give my body a reason to produce adrenaline again.
I need to compete in something I care about winning.
I need to put myself at personal risk.
I need to test myself in the market.
This is how God made me. I must be faithful.