Always Our Best

We have all heard the adage, “Do your job and do it well.” In life, you can count on having to do things that you would rather not do; but in becoming your best self, you should strive to do ALL things with excellence.  In officiating, we have unwanted responsibilities that still must be done with excellence--cleaning locker room after a long game, still studying rules halfway through the season, taking quizzes upon quizzes to test our knowledge, cleaning shoes to rid of turf stains, etc. Keeping the attitude of “everything matters” keeps us striving to be the best.  Even if we have achieved a certain level of success in our profession, we must keep taking pride in all that we do and keep pushing ourselves to do even better.

When we live as if everything matters, we take personal responsibility for all we do.  But we should also push others to reach their greatest potential too. However, this is a big commitment!  So, what is one important trait it takes to meet this challenge?  Being unselfish.  A person not centered on just self takes pride in all things, never thinking anything is beneath him or her.  Being unselfish takes all the credit away from yourself and how much you get noticed, meaning you may not get the credit for a smooth-running clock or incorrect calls waived off. Sometimes, another person may even get the credit for your well-done job. But still, our responsibility is to continue to do our best understanding that “just doing our job” is not excellent enough.

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

If we approach all situations, projects, and tasks attempting to be our best and performing with excellence, we can be confident in our body of work.  There may be setbacks, our weaknesses may be exposed, and others may even get credit for our successes, but it should never be because of the lack of “doing our job and doing it well.”

Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing and wherever we are going, do it well!

Seeing for Real

Do we make better decisions when we base them on objective thoughts or when we base them on our perceptions?  Before answering, let us look at what objective and perceptive decisions include:

Objective

·         Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering fact

·         Seeing events clear of distractions, exaggerations, and misperceptions

·         Taking “me” out of the equation

Perceptive

·         Characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight

·         Adding information to the event that is not needed

·         Applies judgments or opinions

When we observe a situation objectively, we see facts. When we add perception to a situation, we bring other issues into account.  How often do we see what we think instead of what is actual?  The key to remaining objective is to handle our emotions.  When we let our feelings get in the way, our perceptions give us information that is not needed or not necessarily true.  Processing situations this way in real-life situations and even in football often dictates the way we respond. For example, a deer observes bright lights and senses danger.  Whether by instinct or by perception, the deer runs in fear and darts right in front of an oncoming car.  Perception can lead us into a path we do not want to go.  If the deer would think objectively, it would run away from the source of the bright lights instead of into the path of them.

Titus 2:7-8:  Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

In these verses, Paul instructs Titus (and us) to be above reproach in how we act and speak. A key factor of being the “model” Paul refers to is being factual and not negatively influenced in our thoughts and actions.  Thinking objectively takes “me” out of the equation and keeps my opinions and feelings out of the equation.  When we handle difficult situations in an objective manner with our spouse, family, friends, co-workers, crewmates, coaches, and players, they will feel safe around us and therefore learn to trust our words and our actions.  And in the end, “nothing evil can be said about us.”

The perceiving eye is weak, the objective eye is strong. (Miyamoto Musashi)

Credit: “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday

Unexpected Preparation

 “What’s the worst that can happen?”  As a crew, when we practice potential difficult or bad situations ahead of time (hindsight in advance), we are much more prepared when something difficult actually happens.  By practicing and thinking of the bad and then possible solutions, we can actually be better prepared and more optimistic.

In the medical field, the term postmortem is used to examine a dead body to determine the cause of death—especially when the death is unexpected.  The goal is to learn and improve for when a similar situation occurs in the future.  In our officiating world, this process is referred to as post-game review and grading.

Examining premortem means we look at what could or will go wrong before an activity/project/game starts. If something goes unexpected, what is our plan, how do we handle, what are the options? We should practice hindsight in advance.

In a world often focused on the negative, many will question why to focus on potentially bad situations. But, preparing for disruption can be a positive.  Would we rather have a pleasant or unpleasant surprise? When examining premortem, ask “what if, then” questions:

What if………Then, I will….

What if………Instead, I’ll just…..

What if………No problem, we can always….

As a crew of officials, we should strive to create a positive and up-lifting environment because negativity can lead to friction.  We do not want to be pessimistic, but we do want to be prepared for adversity.  The key is to anticipate and prepare.  We examine what, when, and how a situation could happen and our potential responses to it.  Anticipation creates a range of potential outcomes to minimize surprise.

Proverbs 24:27
Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

In this verse, Solomon explains that before we build our house, we prepare and then we go to work.  Preparation and getting ready as officials include examining those things that could go wrong and are difficult to handle.  However, it does not end there.  Take the next step to determine our plan to handle and our options to respond.

Prepare for disruption by working disruption into our plans.

 Credit:  “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday

Control Yourself

In the book “The Obstacle Is the Way,” author Ryan Holiday explains when the first astronauts were trained to enter into space, one skill was emphasized more than any other—to not panic…to control emotions.

Scared, nervous, agitated, panicked, afraid, overreacting—all words that describe when we are not in control of our emotions.  When we panic, we often stray away from our plans, we ignore policies, procedures, and rules.  Then, what happens...MISTAKES.  Our thinking becomes cloudy, and we do not react how we would like or want to.  So, how do we control emotions?

In officiating and as with many aspects of our lives, we plan to the smallest detail.  However, even in our best preparation, something (maybe many things) will happen that does NOT go according to plan—ball boys do not listen and perform as they should, coaches complain about leaving the field in the wrong order, weather causes a delay, clock operators don’t show up on time, etc.  Even if we have the best plans, we have to be prepared to adjust.

How did NASA prepare astronauts to stay calm?  Panic was “trained out” of them.  NASA re-created the launch day as it should go.  The astronauts would go thru these mock launch days over-and-over again with no mistakes.  But, then, NASA introduced various problems to train the panic out the astronauts and to help remove uncertainty.

Much should be the same for officials.  The more we can prepare and train by learning from our mistakes and the mistakes of others --grader evaluations, rules study, video review, pregame crew meetings, and watching other officials-- the more we can remove uncertainty and panic--or, at least, stay calm when it happens. 

Ecclesiastes 10:4:  If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

In the face of obstacles, the writer of Ecclesiastes challenges us to stand firm, stay calm, and put to rest the obstacle we are facing.  Fight the urge to panic and focus on what we can change with the task we are facing.  Obstacles make us emotional.  So, the key to overcoming obstacles is to keep emotions in-check—staying steady no matter the situation.

Focus energy on solving problems, defeat emotions with logic—reasoning.

                                                                             Credit:  “The Obstacle Is the Way”, Ryan Holiday

What Do You Do?

 

Over the last couple of football seasons, as our officiating crew left the locker room to go out onto the field for the opening kick-off, one of our crew members would yell out “Do What We Do!”  It’s a jokingly rally cry similar to ones other ball teams use as they head out onto the field.  This expression has often left me contemplating “what do we do as officials?”

Let us break-down officiating into 3 areas of “what we do”:

1)    Prepare

2)    Perform

3)    Evaluate

Prepare: Our preparation includes being physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually ready. Preparation looks different for each crew member and includes both individual and crew preparation. Our preparation includes rule study, video review, physical fitness, and mental focus.  In addition, taking care of our families is a critical part of preparation each week.

Perform: Once we have prepared, we can then perform. Our performance is not just when toe meets the leather for opening kick-off until the clock hits 0:00 in the 4^th quarter. Instead, performance includes our individual preparation during the week, crew meetings, and travel and hotel interactions. It also includes communication with clock operators, Red Hats, Sideline Replay, university staff, along with pregame, on-field, and post-game responsibilities. And do not forget, performance includes our interactions after the game.

Evaluate: Personal and crew evaluation of all aspects of our game performance—pregame, during game, and post-game. We review all parts of our performance to determine what was done well, what can be done better, and where the individual official and crew need the most help and improvement. Examples of evaluation include penalties/fouls called, mechanics, and communication with players and coaches.

Galatians 6: 3-4:  3 For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

In verse 3, Paul, the writer of Galatians, instructs us to avoid being conceited or prideful.  Pride is a great danger and always comes before a fall. Then in verse 4, Paul further instructs us to examine our own work instead of comparing ourselves against others. We can certainly review and learn from others, but not in an attitude of how much better or worse someone else is compared to me.  Our achievements are for our own personal or crew rejoicing, not to “show-boat” against others.

Looking at our crew’s rally cry “Do What We Do”, it’s a never-ending, inter-related cycle to Prepare, Perform, and Evaluate.  When we DO those things, we can most often rejoice in the results as Paul stated in Galatians 6: 4.

Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.

John Wooden

What's the Difference?

 As believers in Christ, we don’t get to choose neutral. (Revelation 3:  15-16)

The key to being a difference maker:  Consistency (keep your saltiness)—Matthew 5: 13

How to maintain saltiness:

·         Don’t make it more complicated than it should.

·         Guide by the way we live.

·         When people encounter us, we want them to worship Jesus.

How to lose saltiness:

·         Do nothing

·         Prioritize being liked by the world rather than being more like Jesus

 

As followers of Jesus, we leverage where God puts us to guide others to Him.

1)      God positions us to make a difference

a.       Where has God placed you and are you using your talents for Him—to make a difference?

2)      Primary purpose is to guide others to Jesus.

a.       Acts 8:  29-31 (Phillip lead by the Sprit to help the Ethiopian Eunuch understand scriptures)

 

What are things we can do to make a difference for the name of Jesus?

·         Speech/words

·         Serving

·         Devotions

·         Attention getter (Coins--2 Timothy 2: 5)

 

Story of David:  If you lose the battle with lions and bears, you don’t get to face Goliath.

PERSPECTIVE

 "Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:9

Circumstances, situations, uncertainties, and challenges make life difficult.  What makes the difference in how we handle the circumstances and situations we face?  PERSEPCTIVE 

Perspective is defined as a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

In Philippians 4:9, Paul wrote to have the right perspective of faith in God no matter what your situation. Having a positive attitude helps to experience God’s presence, power, promises and peace.  In the devotion “Proper Perspective” (www.fcaresources.com) by Pat Street, he shared three ways we can benefit from proper perspective.

(1)    Proper perspective sees problems as possibilities. In the Old Testament scripture 1 Samuel 17, the battle between David and Goliath is shared.  The Philistine and Israelite armies were preparing for war.  Goliath, known as the giant and champion, faced the Israelites who cowered and turned away.  David, a young Israelite Shepherd, saw Goliath and had a completely different attitude or perspective.  David trusted God would lead him to victory.  David came face-to-face with the giant and killed him.  If we see problems as possibilities, our perspective will be nothing will happen that me and Jesus can't handle together.

(2)    Proper perspective sees people in relation to their potential. What is our view of other people?  Do you see the potential in others?  To make a difference in the lives of others, we should encourage and support them to become who God created them to be.

(3)    Proper perspective sees the present opportunities in relation to circumstances. Consider when Paul wrote the book of Philippians—he was in prison. Paul was not drowning in self-pity; he wrote from jail in joy.  What is the ultimate lesson from Paul?  We often cannot do anything about situations of life, but we can do something about our attitudes. "God will meet all [my] needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

 

How can I benefit daily from a proper perspective or attitude? It can fuel my fire or destroy my hope.  With the proper perspective and with the Lord’s strength, no mountain is too high, no valley is too deep, and no challenge is too great. 

Pray that God will give us a clear perspective, a right perspective, and proper perspective.

"The greatest tragedy for any human being is going through their entire lives believing the only perspective that matters is their own." Doug Baldwin

Giving

“It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20: 35 

Acts 20: 35 is one of the “Be Attitudes” as known in the Bible.  It’s unusual—the giver more blessed than the receiver.  Paul, who wrote the book of Acts, shares the “Be Attitudes” and illustrates giving secures more real happiness than receiving.  However, this attitude goes against our natural intuitions and instincts.

So, why more blessed than to receive?  When we have the capacity to meet a need—to bless others, we are obeying God and His call to serve others.  In turn, when we obey God and bless others, God in turn provides and blesses those who bless.  It’s not a one-way street.  God will bless those who bless others—Genesis 12: 3:  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

How do we bless others?  Pray, text a Bible verse of meaning, spend time with others and listen, help with chores, write a personal note, share a meal, provide a meal, share an encouraging story, invite to a Bible Study.  We have endless opportunities to bless others.  Most are small and not very costly; a few are large and can be costly.  No matter the size or the cost, the heart of the giver to meet the need of someone else is the most important.

Today, bless someone, serve someone, give to someone.  If we are traveling, open the door or help someone with their bags.  In our hotel room and locker room, leave it as clean or cleaner than we found it.  These acts seem small, but will be a great blessing to someone else.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

Listening

Why is listening so hard? Most people just want to be heard but not engage in listening first. Listening well is a skill, almost a lost skill, that is critical for building positive relationships and communicating effectively. Today, people focus on what they have to say, or better yet post on social media, and are more eager to prove a point or sway others to agree with them. But in contrast, people who listen well seek to understand and then respond.

What is the importance of listening well?  Let’s look at 5 reasons:

1.    Listening Well Makes Others Feel Valued.  When people feel heard, they feel appreciated and cared for. 

2.    Listening Well Brings out the Best in Others.  Listening promotes creativity, insight, and participation among people.

3.    Listening Well Resolves Conflicts.  Listening focuses on the goal of understanding, rather than being understood.

4.    Listening Well Builds Your Credibility.  Proverbs 14:8. Fools deceive themselves. Proverbs 1:5. Wise leaders listen to gain understanding.

5.    Listening Well Makes You More Like Jesus.  Even when surrounded by crowds with pressing needs, Jesus took time to be fully present. He asked great questions and made people feel valued. As the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus modeled exceptional listening skills. 

Let this be our goal: Seek to understand others rather than seeking to be understood. Be a good listener. James 1:19 provides great instruction on how to meet this goal:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19 

Credit:

https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/why-listening-is-the-most-critical-leadership-skill.html

Knowing God

 This week's devotion was prepared by Rick Loumiet--Replay Official, Big 12.......

It’s not how much do you know God, but it’s more how much does God know YOU !

Believe it or not, God knows you better than you think. It’s amazing that the God of the universe, the God who created all things and sustains everything, actually knows us quite intimately. King David had, to some degree, an understanding of this and in Psalm 8 writes; When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Is it possible that the very God who, in Genesis, created everything, including man, has enough time for us. I’m guessing keeping the universe operational takes a lot of energy.  Does God have enough bandwidth for me and you, individually, to really know and care for us? The answer is obviously YES !

King David goes on to write in Psalm 139:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

 

Think about how much God actually knows you. I love the verse that says before the words even form on my tongue, God knows it. He knows what you’ll say and when you’ll say it. We think we’re pretty slick and may be able to fool others around us but we’ll never fool God. My prayer is for each of us to take some time and consider our relationship with the living, Almighty God. Consider how much He knows you and if you feel like you really don’t know Him, or even if you feel you do, make it your goal to get to know Him more. How do we do that? Easy…start by reading the Bible, even just one verse at a time.

Jeremiah 29:13 ; You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.