What do winners do differently?
“Winners don’t try, they train.”
-Craig Groeschel
A Quick Review
Let’s pick up from where we left off in The Thing About Goals.
Why goals are important?
Goals give us direction and inspiration.
Just like Paul, we must realize that having a goal is NOT enough.
We must define our win.
“Defining your win is how you begin.” Craig Groeschel
Remember…
“Defining the win is not how you win but how you begin.” Craig Groeschel
How do we win?
We stop trying.
Trying Doesn’t Work
Look back at all of the things you tried to do, but failed. Most likely you failed because you were trying not training.
“Trying is an attempt to do the right thing by exerting effort in the moment.”
Craig Groeschel
Trying Versus Training
If we want to create lasting change, we need to switch from trying to training.
Mental Health Struggles
If you struggle with mental health and desire positive change in your life, you will not get there simply by trying hard. Most likely, you have already taken that approach and were disappointed with the results. Keep working to implement change in this way, and you are likely to end up depressed and defeated. If you want different results, it will require intentional and deliberate practice over time.
We Need More Power
I would also like to note that just because you are intentional and practice deliberately over time, it does not mean you will succeed. Changes to our mental health involve trauma and other factors(layers). Relying on human power alone, whether you are trying or training, often leads to defeat. The reality is that human power is limited and quickly dries up.
We must learn to acknowledge our limitations and understand the power that is available to us today.
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
More To Come
We will dig into this more in the future, but like Paul I “pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.” (Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT)
A Training Mentality
No one in history accomplished anything great just because they tried really hard. In one way or another, they were intentional much like an athlete goes into training to prepare for a competition.
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training…”
1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV
“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT
It’s All Greek
Discipline
“The word translated ‘discipline’ is the Greek word hypopiazo, literally meaning ‘to hit under the eye.’ Paul chose an intense word to declare that he would do whatever it took to win.”1
Training
“Paul continued, ‘Training [his body] to do what it should.’ The word ‘training’ is from the Greek doulagogo, which means ‘to enslave.'”1
“Paul entered into a life of training and encouraged others to do the same. He told his ministry apprentice Timothy, ‘Train yourself to be godly'” (1 Tim. 4:7).1
An Alternative Definition For Training
“…training is doing today what you can do today so that you can do tomorrow. what you can’t do today.”1
“I do today what I can do today through ‘strategic habits.'”1
Can trying prevent relying on God?
“As I have lived this, I’ve wondered if another, more subtle, distinction is that trying can prevent relying. When I try, I do what I can in my strength. Trying can keep me from allowing God to give me his strength so he can do in and through me what I cannot.”1
“By trying, I may be unintentionally denying God’s gracious offer to make his power perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).”1
Exercise
What have you tried to change in the past but failed?
What are some strategic habits you could implement through training?
Example
To forgive someone who hurt you.
- Write out the verses Jesus taught on forgiveness.
- Write out the offenses God or others have forgiven you for.
Recap
Trying doesn’t work. Training does.
Trying is an attempt to do the right thing by exerting effort in the moment.
Training is a commitment to strategic habits you do before the moment that equip you to do the right thing in the moment.1
All athletes are disciplined in their training.
They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. … I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 NLT
Sources:
[1] Groeschel, C. (2023). The Power to Change: Mastering the Habits That Matter Most. Zondervan.
