~Walter Cronkite
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Super Bowl XXLVIII, “The Big Game,” features the Denver Broncos versus the Seattle Seahawks. Friends and family will gather together to watch the “The Big Game.” Parties, delectable food, refreshing beverages, and an all-around good time are the staple of Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday highlights the two best teams in professional football squaring off and an exposition of entertaining television commercials. No other media event gets more media coverage than the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl really is a “big event” on a “big stage” and has earned the name, “The Big Game.”
Not so fast, there is another game that is much bigger than the Super Bowl. This game does not have pigskin, a state-of-the-art stadium, or goal posts. It’s time is not measured by quarters and the outcome is not determined by points scored. A win-loss record does not determine who gets to play. There are no playoffs or a process of elimination. In this “big game,” each and every one of us is required to play. It’s an exclusive game; a game all our own. We are directly responsible for its outcome. This big game is the “game of life, ” and there is no bigger game!
Just like the Super Bowl, the “game of life” requires a game plan and execution of that game plan. Successful execution of that game plan requires hard work, focus, and passion and belief. You can bet that both the Broncos and the Seahawks have worked tirelessly designing a game plan. They have analyzed their strengths and weaknesses and that of their opponent. The players and coaches understand that just showing doesn't guarantee victory. Winning takes a well-designed and well-executed game plan.
In the biggest game you’ll ever play, do you have a well-designed game plan or are you just showing up? Have you taken the time to analyze your strengths and weaknesses? Do you have a plan to maximize your strengths and improve upon your weaknesses? One of the biggest mistakes people make is not taking the time to both design and execute a game plan for their own life. Be it known, in five, ten, twenty years from now, life’s journey will take you somewhere. Wouldn't you prefer to arrive at a well-designed destination instead of arriving just somewhere? Most people do not take enough time to plan their lives. Yet, they’ll spend weeks planning and fretting over their next vacation. I just don’t get that! The Broncos and the Seahawks wouldn't dare compete without a game plan, and neither should you!
Once a game plan has been devised, the coaches, players, and all those associated with the team must go to work executing the plan. This is where the hard work comes in. Long hours, repetition, toil and sweat become the mainstay. Nothing comes easy and there are no built-in shortcuts. Successful people are disciplined. They are willing to work hard; giving up immediate gratification in the here in and now, for much greater benefit in the future. They understand that the most successful people are working when everyone is sleeping. Are you working hard in the “game of life?” The Broncos and the Seahawks wouldn't dare compete without putting in long hours and working hard, and neither should you.
With all of the media hype surrounding such a big event it would be easy to get distracted and lose focus. Coaches and players know that maintaining focus and success go hand-in-hand. If a player or a coach allows an outside distraction to cause them to lose focus, it affects the way they think and feel; inevitably affecting their performance. You cannot give 100% to a task at hand, if 1%, 5%, 10%... is somewhere else. Do you allow outside influences to distract you and cause you to lose focus? Do you allow people to have a negative influence on you? Do you complain about things? Do you get caught up in the lives of others? Life is full of static (interferences.) It’s static that will cause you to lose focus. Much of the static in our lives is by our own doing. For the most part, we have control over what we allow to influence of lives. Rid yourself of all the unnecessary static in your life and maintain your focus on that which is truly important in your life. The Broncos and Seahawks wouldn't dare compete with a lack of focus, and neither should you.
The cornerstone of success is passion and belief. You can’t have one without the other. The Broncos and the Seahawks would not have made it the Super Bowl without both. Passion is the insatiable want. Belief is the unshakable thought. At the beginning of the year, if the Broncos believed they could win the Super Bowl, but didn't have the passion to go along with it, they never would have put in the necessary work to get them to the “Big Game.” It’s an attitude of “Yea, we’re sure we can do this, but it’s just not that important to work that hard – so why start.” If the Seahawks had the want to get to the” big game,” but did not believe it to be possible, they may have started the season strong, but would have given up when things got tough. It’s an attitude, “we want this, but it’s just not possible - so why keep trying.” Do you bring both passion and belief to the game of life? The Broncos and the Seahawks wouldn't dare compete without passion and belief, and neither should you.
This year it’s Super Bowl XLVIII. Next year, it’s Super Bowl XLIX and it too will be called, “The Big Game.” The “Big Game” is only played once a year. But remember, there is a much bigger game being played right now and it’s not just played once a year. This game is played each and every day. It’s the “game of life” and it’s the biggest game you’ll ever be a part of. The best part of this game is you get to play the entire game, make the rules, and call and run all of the plays. Hence, you get to determine its outcome. Bear in mind though, this game will not last forever. Someday, there will be a final tick of the clock and when it’s over it’s over. There will be no second chances, no overtime, no next game, no next season. So my question to you: when the clock expires on your game, will you be declared a winner?
I cannot predict who will win Super Bowl XLVII, or any other game for that matter, with any scientific accuracy. But, what I can predict is that if you have a well-designed game plan, work hard, remain focused and possess passion and belief, you’ll have a great shot of winning in the “game of life.” If you want a sure bet on winning the game, no questions asked, simply invite the Good Lord to join your team!
Enjoy “The Big Game” and more importantly, always enjoy the “Bigger game!”
It's your life: live it, love it, & celebrate it!
MJD
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