Excellence Is Not Fun

Posted by Posted by Kirk Bowman On 1:05 PM


I have a strong commitment to living a life of excellence. God is a God of excellence and I want to be like Him.

My hearts cry for many years has been for the church to walk in a level of excellence that would bring glory to God. No more second rate for God. He deserves our very best.

I’m reading a new book, “Talent Is Over-Rated” by Geoff Colvin. His premise is: It isn’t really talent that separates super achievers, it’s disciplined practice in areas that stretch you. It’s an interesting theory and he makes a great case for it.

He says – Most people settle into mediocrity in life or sport or business or whatever because they will not practice in areas that stretch them. The “stretch zone” is the only place growth occurs. And the stretch zone is not fun. It’s hard. Really hard.

So – the path to a life of excellence is developed in a “no fun” zone. That’s why there are so few world class achievers.

Interesting



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3 comments

  1. Adam Said,

    Hey PK -- have you read "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell? Among other things, he argues that it seems to take about 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill or craft. That would be doing the same thing, non-stop, without interruption, for 10 hours every day, no weekends off, for nearly 3 years. Or, if you can only stomach 2 hours a day and take your weekends off, 20 years. Even conceiving of that much time is a stretch zone for most of us.

    Posted on January 13, 2009 at 1:29 AM

     
  2. Anonymous Said,

    The amount of free throws, push ups, situps or swings of the bats that a certified star takes per day is remarkable. The preparation to be the best eats at them night and day! So I believe I can take time to read the word, pray, give/serve, assemble and choose the right people as friends. We must take the CORE as seriously as pro athletes, singers, or whatever take their profession. Thanks Pastor!

    Posted on January 13, 2009 at 10:31 AM

     
  3. Unknown Said,

    This is certainly thought provoking! I love this kind of stuff! It is so true that the place of discomfort can be a time of intense growth ... if we seek it and allow for it!

    Posted on January 13, 2009 at 11:03 AM