“I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself” (Philippians 3:12, GNT).
I love the long ball. (This is the slang term for a home run in baseball). Last evening, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., won the All-Star Home Run Derby matching his father’s 2007 title. The Guerrero became the first father-son duo to receive this distinction. In all, Guerrero Jr. hit five-and-a-half miles worth of home runs on the night.
Fans enjoy the sight of watching a baseball fly over the outfield wall. Yet there is an ongoing debate as to whether the longball approach to the game is a winning strategy. Sportswriter, Timothy Rapp, argues that “Smallball” is a more effective approach. The Smallball concept most often is based on the batter sacrificing himself to advance runners into scoring position. By contrast, Longball focuses on scoring home runs or stringing together a series of hits in one inning.
However, Timothy Rapp has analyzed the teams who successfully played their ways into the world series. The data suggests that the teams with the best records rely on a solid pitching staff and an offense that can generate runs without relying on the long ball. In other words, the incremental approach of Smallball offers the opportunity for success.
Paul the Apostle employed a similar tactic with respect to following Christ. Paul employed the term, “perfect,” to characterize the idea of Christian maturity or growing into the image of Jesus. Having been assured of his salvation through the death of Jesus at Calvary, Paul set his sights on reflecting more of the character of Jesus through his own life.
However, Paul readily admitted that he was far from reaching this goal of Christian perfection. Instead, Paul focused his attention on striving toward his objective one incremental step at a time. In other words, Paul employed the strategy of Smallball.
Personally, I have discovered that the process of changing one’s behavior, attitude, or character is a step-by-step process. Oftentimes, I take a step backward before moving two steps forward. For example, the goal of losing weight is seldom accomplished within a matter of days. Weight loss is the byproduct of moment-by-moment decisions that dictate when, what, and how much we should eat. Likewise, progress is sustained by celebrating the small victories achieved on the scale and at the gym.
Noted author, Seth Godin, says it very well:
“The thing is incremental daily progress (negative or positive) is what actually causes transformation. A figurative drip, drip, drip. Showing up, every single day, gaining in strength, organizing for the long haul, building connection, laying track—this subtle but difficult work is how [one’s] culture changes.”
A few big swings cannot take you to your ultimate destination. Only a series of small sacrifices and baby steps can do that.
So, next time you turn to the big picture for inspiration, make sure to follow it up by taking the Smallball approach. Take a step. Then, follow that up with another step. And remember; success is the sum of small efforts, repeated over and again.
I love the long ball. (This is the slang term for a home run in baseball). Last evening, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., won the All-Star Home Run Derby matching his father’s 2007 title. The Guerrero became the first father-son duo to receive this distinction. In all, Guerrero Jr. hit five-and-a-half miles worth of home runs on the night.
Fans enjoy the sight of watching a baseball fly over the outfield wall. Yet there is an ongoing debate as to whether the longball approach to the game is a winning strategy. Sportswriter, Timothy Rapp, argues that “Smallball” is a more effective approach. The Smallball concept most often is based on the batter sacrificing himself to advance runners into scoring position. By contrast, Longball focuses on scoring home runs or stringing together a series of hits in one inning.
However, Timothy Rapp has analyzed the teams who successfully played their ways into the world series. The data suggests that the teams with the best records rely on a solid pitching staff and an offense that can generate runs without relying on the long ball. In other words, the incremental approach of Smallball offers the opportunity for success.
Paul the Apostle employed a similar tactic with respect to following Christ. Paul employed the term, “perfect,” to characterize the idea of Christian maturity or growing into the image of Jesus. Having been assured of his salvation through the death of Jesus at Calvary, Paul set his sights on reflecting more of the character of Jesus through his own life.
However, Paul readily admitted that he was far from reaching this goal of Christian perfection. Instead, Paul focused his attention on striving toward his objective one incremental step at a time. In other words, Paul employed the strategy of Smallball.
Personally, I have discovered that the process of changing one’s behavior, attitude, or character is a step-by-step process. Oftentimes, I take a step backward before moving two steps forward. For example, the goal of losing weight is seldom accomplished within a matter of days. Weight loss is the byproduct of moment-by-moment decisions that dictate when, what, and how much we should eat. Likewise, progress is sustained by celebrating the small victories achieved on the scale and at the gym.
Noted author, Seth Godin, says it very well:
“The thing is incremental daily progress (negative or positive) is what actually causes transformation. A figurative drip, drip, drip. Showing up, every single day, gaining in strength, organizing for the long haul, building connection, laying track—this subtle but difficult work is how [one’s] culture changes.”
A few big swings cannot take you to your ultimate destination. Only a series of small sacrifices and baby steps can do that.
So, next time you turn to the big picture for inspiration, make sure to follow it up by taking the Smallball approach. Take a step. Then, follow that up with another step. And remember; success is the sum of small efforts, repeated over and again.