I learned the principle stated in yesterday’s quote from two sources.
The first was a future Hall of Fame MLB pitcher. He said in an interview that the secret to his success was to stop focusing on results.
On its face, that sounds ridiculous. Professional sports are entirely about results. But he explained – focusing on results leads to all sorts of bad habits. When things go well, for example, it’s tempting to ease up on your rigorous training. And a string of poor results can lead you to change what you know to be correct techniques.
He saw many talented men fail because they became results-focused and lost track of the habits that got them where they were. The bottom line, for him, was to prepare and execute each day, each game, each pitch, to the best of his ability – and let the results take care of themselves.
My second source was Dick Foth. Imagine listening to a guy who’s over-the-moon excited about this crazy dream to do a 1500-mile bike ride and telling him it’s not about the bike ride at all.
Dick told me focusing on the goal would leave me feeling empty when I finished.
“A dream worth following has to be a story worth sharing.”
The dream had to be about the story I’d write along the way and the community I’d share it with. That story became 40 speaking engagements, a book called RICH’S RIDE, and incredible generosity that generated more than $60,000 to feed hungry children.
As we prepare for The Freedom Tour’s 15th anniversary, it’s tempting to dream big dreams once again. Big dreams by themselves aren’t wrong.
I want to avoid becoming attached to those dreams, to ascribing success or failure to their accomplishment. You’ve heard me say it, perhaps too often, and I will keep saying it, mostly for my own benefit…
We do what we can with what we have – and trust Jesus for the outcome.
To be continued…