Advice from a Tractor: Cultivate Lasting Friendships

As the regular season comes to a close and playoffs, championship games and bowl season ramps up, one final advice from a tractor:  Cultivate Lasting Friendships

Cultivate means to nurture and help grow.  When you cultivate something, you work to make it better.  Tractors cultivate land to prepare it to plant and grow crops.  It helps the land to be in the best shape for the seeds to grow healthy and strong.

Officials have a unique bond.  It’s interesting how you can bring officials together from throughout the country and work well together.  From my 25 years as an official, I still have officials I keep up with from my first year in my local high school association.  I certainly have more officials I keep up with than people from my high school and college days.

To influence our crew or other officials, listen to the advice from the tractor—CULTIVATE lasting friendships.  If we want our crews to be the best, look for ways to help it grow—Cultivate it.  Notice it does not say just to be a friend.  It says to cultivate.  We have to nurture and look for ways to help people—to make them better.  I believe if we look for ways to make others better, we in turn will become better.

Looking back in our officiating careers, who made the most impact on you?  It had to be someone who cared and took time to invest in you.  I know I had 2-3 guys I could rely on to help me and took time to teach me.  They were really good officials, but even better people.  Here’s the point:

“The people who make a difference in your life are usually not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.  They simply are the ones who care the most.”

I Corinthians 1:27-29 tells us "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him."

As far God is concerned, being His servant is more important than being superstar. When Jesus chose His disciples, they were not the pick of the litter, the cream of crop. They were simply men He knew could be used to establish His kingdom.

Here is an unflattering list of people God used:

Moses stuttered. David’s armor didn’t fit. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair.  Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead.  Jesus was too poor. Paul was a murderer. Jonah ran from God. Thomas doubted. Elijah was burned out.  Martha was a worrywart.  Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk.

How well are we cultivating the people around us?  Are we helping people grow?

Cultivate your thoughts and actions into positive seeds and see your life, and the people around you, change for the better!

The Domino Effect

A favorite quote of mine that has been used in other devotions:  “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” (Will Durant).  Positive results are sometimes result of luck; but most of the time, it’s because of consistent preparation.

Listen to any great coach, athlete, business person, teacher, etc and they will tell you that building habits and routines into their daily life most often lead to success.  You can phrase it another way---they ”line up dominoes” each day, knock them down by taking those actions one at a time which then knocks down all of the dominoes—the domino effect.

Of course, there is also the negative side which tells us there is a domino effect when things go bad.  But, we are thinking of positive momentum--when one domino is knocked down, it sets off a small and consistent set of actions that are connected.  Here is an example from a man who was training for a Sparta race:

Domino #1 – Start the day with a protein shake

Domino #2 – Do 20 pushups, jumping jacks or burpees every 60 minutes

Domino #3 – Train in the gym for 60 minutes

Domino #4 – Stop all meals by 7pm

Each day, he would set his domino’s into action knocking down #1 then onto the other ones.  This resulted in a consistent, continuous, and positive movement forward in his training.

Luke 9: 23:  Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

How often did Jesus say to following Him—"DAILY”.  The Christian walk is not a sometimes thing, it’s a “daily” walk.  It’s consistently seeking what and who God wants you to be.

In officiating, as mundane and boring as preparation seems, we must line up our dominoes each week in preparation for the next assignment/game.   Every game is different.  Therefore, if we consistently prepare each week, we are better prepared to handle each game that presents it’s own challenges.

Consistency leads to continuous forward progress which creates and sustains positive momentum toward our goals. How do we do it?  -- show up and do the little things that lead to growth. When we knock down our dominoes, we want positive momentum not negative.

LUCK always favors the prepared.

Credit given to FCA Devotions-- http://fcaresources.com/devotional

Diamonds and Pearls

Diamonds and Pearls are two of the most popular pieces of jewelry.  Most wedding rings have a diamond(s) on the ring and pearl bracelets/necklaces/ear rings are favorites as well. Both are always good choices for gifts and to get yourself out of trouble!

What does it take to get a real diamond or pearl?  Other than money, to get a real diamond or pearl something tough must happen.  Real Diamonds are produced through high temperature and pressure deep in the earth’s surface.  The pressure of volcanic eruptions brings the diamonds closer to the earth’s surface to be mined.  For a pearl, it is formed when an irritant enters into an oyster, mussel, or clam.  As a defense, a fluid is released to coat the irritant.  The oyster (or mussel or claim) will continue to release this fluid to form several layers which hardens to form a pearl.

Now, think about what two of the finest pieces of jewelry are made from----High Temperature, Pressure, and Irritation. In officiating, what do we produce when tempers get high, when pressure rises, and when things irritate us?  Do we produce diamonds and pearls or do we melt?

James 1: 3-4:  ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Simply put, life’s pressure and irritations show who we really are.  Verse 3 explains that the testing of faith shows our “true-colors.”  Then in verse 4, it instructs us not to try to get out of it.  Why? So, we will  be “mature and complete.”  Pressure enables, or can enable, us to be better, more knowledgeable and stronger.

Therefore, we face pressure and irritations head on.  But how?  Focus on three things:

1)      Our faith.  Know that God puts us in situations to help us grow and He will not give us more than we can handle. 1 Corinthians 10: 13--“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it”.

2)      Each other.  Crewmates can and should help each other navigate through pressure which will hopefully result in the most positive outcome.

3)      Our past.  Use our past to handle the pressure and irritation.  We all have good and bad in our past, learn from it and use it.

There is a 100% guarantee in every game we officiate--we will face high tempers, pressure, and irritations. Today, what are you going to produce from those things?  Will it be diamonds and pearls?

No pressure, no diamonds.

Pressure creates diamonds and fire refines gold.

Seeing Clearly

When we can’t see well, life is stressful. Blurred objects, squinting, fatigue, headaches … it’s easy to make mistakes, misjudging what you see. Frustration builds.  When things aren’t as clear as they should be, we need to go see an eye doctor.

During an eye exam, the optometrist conducts tests to determine how our eyes are working. The doctor will see whether you are nearsighted (close objects appear clear, but those far away are blurred) or farsighted (close objects are fuzzy but distant objects are clear.)  In both cases, our eyes do not focus images correctly. After getting corrective lenses, life is much more clear!  Blurred vision is dangerous.  We need to be in the right focus.

What about officiating?  What causes us not to see well?  I’m not talking about our actual vision.  I’m referring to whether we are seeing a play or a situation like we should. Here are things to keep in mind in order to see clearly….

1)    Focus—is our mind in the right place? Are we distracted by our surroundings or something that has happened during the week?

2)    Attention to Detail—are we looking at the right place?  Here’s an example: as a Back Judge, when a pass is thrown to the middle of the field, I focus on the catch.  I don’t look at the feet because there is no reason for me to worry about a receiver’s feet in the middle of the field.  To see the detail, we need to focus in the right place.

3)    Position—are we in the right place at the right time?  If we “miss” a call or perceived to “miss” a call, coaches, players, fans, media are much more forgiving if we are at the right place and looking in the right area.

4)    Attitude—positive emotions usually lead to positive outcomes.  What attitude are we relaying to the crew?  If we don’t have the right mind-set, attitude, before and during a game, our vision can be blurred.  Is there’s anything causing us not to have a positive attitude about our crew or the upcoming game?  If so, talk about it and get it straight before the game begins.

Proverbs 3:21
Preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.

Our emphasis in this verse is going to be on “sound judgment and discernment”.  The result of sound judgment is victory or success from having wisdom.  Discernment means assessing how and when to act, or not, under different circumstances.  This verse tells me in order to see clearly, I need to seek wisdom, sound judgment and discernment that results in SUCCESS.

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

Stay the Course: Consistency

Consistency:  Reliability or uniformity of successive results or events.

Is consistency good or bad?  Well, the answer is whether we are consistently good, or consistently bad!  Our goal is to be consistent in the good things we do and look to change our course when we are consistently wrong. 

When things are going right, is there a time when we should make a change?  Yes….here is an example…….

Our family consistently travels from West Monroe to Ruston on I-20 to see our parents.  It’s the quickest and safest route.  It’s the right way.  However, if the state police close all lanes going west to Ruston, to make it to Ruston, our family has to change our course even though it’s not the best way.

In officiating, consistency is important—maybe most important from a public perception.  In a crew, we must know/learn how each other operate—how we move, communicate, learn, etc.  At the same time, we also need to identify when we need to “change our course” in order to meet our goals and achieve greater consistency.

Consistency should be one of the top priorities/goals for a crew.  Maintaining consistency produces trust in a crew.  Identify when adjustments are needed to help the crew work at the highest level.  Learn what areas are critical for you to be consistent in to benefit your crew.  Change your course when you identify areas where you need to be more consistent.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

In these verses, Paul was identifies he needs to press on.  How does this help us be consistent….

--had his eye on a larger prize

--wasn’t satisfied with results he already achieved.

--look to see what could be done better in the future

--didn’t live in past failures.

2 statements growing Christians agree on:

(1)    Have failed in the past and fallen short of God’s goals and purposes in our lives

(2)    Want to become more like Christ

2 statements of maturing official:

(1)    Have failed and have not met all of our goals

(2)    Strive to do our best

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.”  Aristotle

Communicate in Due Season

Due Season:  a suitable time or favorable moment or opportunity where you can take advantage of things coming to a head.

What is communication?  It’s words, body language, tone of voice, and timing.  Why is communication important?  When we effectively communication, most any situation can be handled with the most positive outcome.  Notice those words—most positive.  Effective communication doesn’t mean the situation or words will always be nice, but will be handled with the best POSSIBLE outcome.

What does effective and clear communication require?  Discipline, patience, asking and seeking.  We need to be disciplined to know when to speak and when to listen.  Then, patience is required to do both of those—speak and listen.  Using our words and speech carelessly often leads to trouble.  But, if we have the discipline and patience to listen to others, we will have better discernment to know when it is time for us to speak.

One common mistake in communication is assuming what another person is thinking.  Clear communication requires asking and seeking information.  Then, once we have the information we need, it is important to find the appropriate time to speak—Due Season.

Proverbs 25: 11—A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

“Fitly spoken” in verse 11 can also be translated “spoken in due season”.  Therefore, when the timing of our communication is right, it is valuable (apples of gold in silver).  Think about if our communication is the opposite of due season.  It is not valuable and rotten!

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” Peter Tucker

Credit ‘www.thechoicedrivenlife.com—Good Communication can Simplify Our Relationships”

Be Outstanding in Your Field

The primary goal of each official should be to be the best at their position.  We need to own our position and take responsibility for any action that occurs in our area of responsibility.  Then, we can “venture out” to help crew mates when needed.  By striving to be the best in our position, it makes it easier to help others when needed.

How do we become outstanding in our part of the field—pursue excellence.  Most of us have probably been challenged to pursue excellence, not perfection.

A student was assigned to write an essay for his English class.  This student always made exceptional grades—straight A’s.  But, for this essay, he talked with some of his friends about what they were writing about and how they were writing their paper.  Now, these “friends” were doing only what they had to do—minimum effort. Just this time, the straight A student decided he would go along with the others and “just get by”.  When the grading of the essay came back, the exceptional student received his worst grade ever on any test or essay.  The student met with the teacher after class to express his disappointment in his grade and explained he would give better effort going forward. In the wisdom of the teacher, she told the student she knew that was not his typical work and that he did not give his best effort.

Excellence is NOT the absence of mistakes, but it does mean having faith and determination. Here is what excellent people do:  Excellent people exceed expectations; they go the extra mile, they do more than is asked, and they take extra steps in ensure the highest quality.  Does that mean I am always recognized as the best or get what I want?  No—but it does lead to the internal satisfaction of knowing we did all we could do to be the best. I also believe pursuing excellence leads to opportunities.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

In this verse, Paul challenges the Philippians to have these thoughts—true, noble, right, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.  That leads me to believe that our thoughts lead our actions. Therefore, our thoughts are the first key to being outstanding in our field.

Exercising minimal effort will lead to a mediocre performance at best, but really going above and beyond the call of duty takes a conscious thought and effort.

 “You can run into mediocrity accidentally, but you have to purpose to be excellent." Joyce Myer

Self Evaluation

In last week’s devotion, one of the keys to keeping us from “blowing a gasket” was Prevention.  We looked at ways to prevent ourselves from over-reacting.  While prevention keeps us from doing something we don’t want to do, what happens when we go thru situations—good or bad—we EVALUATE.

In officiating, we are or should be in a constant state of evaluation.  Even though it’s great to get others to evaluate us, SELF-EVALUATION is one key to success as an official .  No one, other than the God, knows us better than we know ourselves. We should constantly evaluate ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Our self-evaluation must be truthful by asking ourselves honest questions. Others that evaluate us can point things out and offer suggestions.  Video of our games certainly can show a lot about our officiating.  But, the truth is, no one but you knows what you were thinking on any given play.  Was I keying on the right player; did I really see the foul or just guess; did I say the right words to a player, coach, or administrator; am I studying video and rules consistently? 

This week, as we enter the halfway point of the regular season, let’s do a simple self-evaluation…..

What are two things I'm pleased with so far this season?
1.
2.
What is one thing I need to change/focus on to improve through the rest of the season?
1.

Although simple, this self-evaluation can challenge us the rest of the season by looking at what we done well and one thing we can work on.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
(2 Corinthians 13:5)

In this verse, Paul challenged the Corinthians to test the genuiness of their faith in God.  The Corinthians professed to be Christians.  But, Paul wanted them to “test” themselves to really determine their true faith. 

As officials, we must test the genuiness of our performance.  Have we been physically and mentally ready for each game?  If not, what needs to change to be true to ourselves and our crew which will hopefully enable us to perform at a high level as an official.

“Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.”

Don't Blow a Gasket

Blowing a gasket is a serious problem for an engine.  What are signs that a gasket might be blown?

·        -- Coolant leak

·         --Smoke from exhaust

·         --Loss of coolant but no visible leaks

·         --Overheating engine

·         --Poor running engine

What is needed to keep this from happening---“Prevention”?

·         --Check engine temperature

·         --Check fluid levels and hoses for leaks

·         --Watch for fluid loss on the ground below the engine

Prevention is key to keeping the engine running correct and avoiding a blown gasket.

What about officials?  How do we keep from “blowing a gasket”—keeping our “cool” on and off the field.  What are signs that we are headed to blowing our gasket?

·         ** Feeling pressure from coaches

·         **Being impatient with crewmates

·         **Grades from game review upset us

·         **Players disrespect officials on the field

If we can identify those things that lead us to possibly blowing a gasket, we can hopefully “prevent” a bad situation.  So, what things can we do to “Prevent” a blown gasket:

·        ** Listen, don’t always think we have to solve a situation. Remember, coaches don’t always want an explanation, they want to be heard.

·         **Explain only after listening and knowing the situation.  This applies to people on our crew as well as coaches, administrators, players.

·         **Compliment and correct players. Don’t just be negative with them.

·         **Accept grades for what they are….learning tool.

One key Prevention for us is this…Find what fuels our anger and frustration.  Anger and frustration are secondary emotions triggered when something is wrong and needs our attention.  It’s important not bury the emotion.  We don’t always have to speak, but we do need to release the emotion. 

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 

Self-Control—once we identify our source of anger and frustration, exercising self-control is critical to keeping our gasket from blowing.  In Proverbs 25: 28, the symbol of walls used in this verse is important because in Biblical times, walls protected the city.  Without the walls, the city was vulnerable to any who wanted to attack.  Treat self-control the same—it’s our wall.  My choice is whether to give someone else the power to control my emotions—to enter thru my wall!

Don’t transfer your power to someone, keep your self-control.

Foundation in the Basics

If you observe any practice at any level, each day the team begins with fundamentals—blocking, tackling, handing off, shooting and passing drills, hitting off a tee, etc.  These fundamentals are the basics.  No matter how long a player or coach has been in a sport, the key to success are the fundamentals.  Plus, what does every coach say they will be doing during an off week—getting back to the fundamentals.

In officiating, our foundation in the basics helps us perform at the highest level.  What are the basics?

Mechanics, Communications, Fitness, Rules Knowledge

Mechanics:  get us in the right position (physical mechanics) and looking in the right area (visual mechanics),

Communication:  allows a crew to work more efficiently and helps to know when to talk and know when to listen

Fitness:   our physical condition keeps us mentally strong

Rules Knowledge:  helps to administer the game properly

Over and over, we work on these aspects of officiating.  Each game, we can use the basics to help the game run smoothly.  Then, when those unusual situations arise, hopefully, the crew can handle the situation correctly and confidentially because we have worked on the basics.

For Christians, the basics are growing in scripture, prayer, and fellowship – working on these repeatedly for years builds our relationship with Jesus.

 

Psalm 62:6-7 – He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

The “basic” truth in the Christian faith is our relationship with God through Jesus which is foundational to our faith.  There is a powerful word in that verse when our foundation is on God—“I will not be SHAKEN”.

The basics keep us from being shaken off our foundation.  It doesn’t mean we aren’t faced with trials, temptations, or challenges.  But, it does me our foundation keeps us upright by leaning on what we know—the BASICS.

Going back to the basics strengthens our foundation.