Today started yesterday

I recently heard someone lamenting that they were experiencing the end of a season in their life and they did not know how they were going to function after it came to a complete close.  The season to which they referred?  Football Season.

Although they were saying it for the sake of humor, I am sure that for many fans, they do not like to see the season come to its end.  Yet, the end is bittersweet for them, because for a few winter weeks they get to focus on the very most exciting part of all, the playoffs.  Nothing could be more exciting for a sports fan than seeing the field of contenders narrowed down to the final two juggernauts and then watching to see how their much anticipated meeting will play out.

Of course, what you must understand when watching is that, more often than not, the game is not decided on “game day.”  Oh that is the day when the concession stands are open, the parking lot is full, and the stadium rocks with chants and cheers.  Yet, very few games are really decided on the playing field.

“that game has been being decided for weeks, months, and even years.”

Games are won on the practice field.  Oh, the quarterback could tell what the defense was going to do before the ball was snapped and threw to the only open receiver on the field….  That didn’t start when he stepped out of the huddle.  That decision started when he spent hours upon hours watching film of the opposing teams defensive schemes.

You liked that play call?  Well you can be sure the coach didn’t draw it up on the sideline.  That decision was carefully laid out with assistants and coordinators regarding the exact scenario in which that play would be a possibility, and even probabilities of its success were broken down.

But wait!  We all know it is the athletes that win the game.  Absolutely, the athletes contribute more to the outcome than any other participant.  However, that roster was not built on the morning of the game.  Long before that athlete put on his helmet, some recruiter put on his shoes, boarded a flight, and headed out to meet the prospective player.  Of course, he only did so after a coaches meeting where team needs were assessed, and a scout, who had already been doing his job, brought this player to mind.

I could go on and on, from coaches hiring assistants, to athletic directors hiring the coach, to the institution hiring an athletic director, and even to the institution determining what emphasis and funding would be directed toward athletics.

All of these decisions culminate in a few hours before thousands of fans.  Yet, that game has been being decided for weeks, months, and even years.  Much thought and planning has gone into the conflict before it ever occurred.  That reminds me of something Jesus spoke…

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  –Luke 14:31–32 (KJV 1900)

If you are not intentional with spending your time, it will be wasted.

Planning matters.  Whatever you are looking to achieve in the days, weeks, and years ahead, you need a plan.  Today never starts today.

In the Dichotomy of Leadership, written by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, two navy seals turned leadership coaches, this quote stands out “The greatest athletes and business people are different from average achievers- and some of the differences are innate. Some people are just faster, taller, stronger, or smarter than the rest of us. But most of the difference between the highest achievers is in how they think and how they prepare.”  

Every day when you get up, your day should already be laid out.  Many corporate and life coaches will tell you that the last thing you should do before ending your day is to plan tomorrow.  I concur.

You are called to “occupy” to possess the time you are given for the glory of God.  That is going to require being intentional.  If you are not intentional with spending your time, it will be wasted.

Unfortunately, unlike money, wasted time can not be replaced.