The first is good, the second is great, the last is unstoppable.
- Coolers avoid the winning shot.
- Closers take the shot if they think they have a good chance of making it.
- Cleaners trust their gut and shoot, they rarely think about it at all.
- Coolers won’t offer to take a role they aren’t comfortable with.
- Closers will take the role if asked and if they have enough time to think study the role and prepare for it.
- Cleaners don’t wait to be asked, they just do it.
In his book, Relentless, From Good To Great To Unstoppable, Tim Grover shares some fascinating examples of super achievers with whom he has worked.
The relentless, the unstoppable, either naturally (or learned) do a few important things:
Push Yourself Harder
Resistance is a real thing. We want to move ahead, but our minds can always come up with an excuse to take the easiest path, if we have to take the path at all. Do what you have to do to rise above the good and great and become unstoppable by pushing yourself toward bigger goals. I recently came across this quote/prayer from E. Stanley Jones:
“O Christ, do not give me tasks equal to my powers, for I want to be stretched by the things too great for me. I want to grow through the greatness of my tasks, but I need your help for the growing.”
Get Into The Zone
I totally understand the phrases, “too many irons in the fire,” “spinning plates,” and “juggling.” At times, we may even pride ourselves on the idea that we can multitask or that we are involved in so many things! The truth is, as I’ve said before, anyone can do more than one thing at once, what really takes talent is doing one thing at once. Get into your zone, and know what you like to do, can do, and should do. Do the five percent that only you can do! Lots of people are good, and many are great, but to become unstoppable, you have to get into your zone – what you were created for.
Know Who You Are
Clarity of calling is important. Coming to the realization that not everything is possible for you, is a huge burden lifted. You have gifts for a couple of things and once you find those gifts, move full speed ahead. In addition to the gifts, clarity is important for our hearts — who are we, to whom do we belong, and where does my sense of purpose come from? At some point in life, you stop working so hard, but you can still be relentless in confidence. Foe the Christian, knowing who we are in absolutely key to a fulfilled life. It’s by God’s grace we can live freely and abundantly!
A Few Closing Thoughts
There were thirteen principles listed in the book, but I thought I would just share these three. On a side note, I liked how the author listed the “relentless 13” but gave them all the #1 in the list.
One final thought is that I find this idea compelling, especially because it reminds me of so much we read in the Bible.
Jesus was relentless. He was relentless in love, in truth, in grace, in calling people to holiness and turning attention to God.
Paul was relentless in lots of different ways. He was relentless in zeal and passion for the faith even before he followed Christ. He was relentless in sharing the truth with young churches and was relentless in helping people understand the gospel. Even though he endured one hardship after the next, he kept on moving. It’s powerful stuff.
Finally, I want to encourage ministry leaders, pastors, and church staff to be relentless as we walk and serve in faith. Do all you can with the time and gifts you have. Do all your can to call your church to greater things. Fight the idea that “it’s good enough for church.” Work like it’s your last three months there. Stay unstoppable.