March Madness & 5 Keys to Winning at Life

March 01, 2018 3 Comments

It is that time of year when millions of people with no basketball knowledge to those who intently follow all the stats and analysis complete their NCAA tournament bracket sheet. For some, it’s merely an opportunity to have some fun, while others strategically think through every pick and hope to win big in their office pool. Whatever side of the spectrum your basketball knowledge resides, we all can relate to the journey of pursuing an ultimate goal. The 64 teams in pursuit of the NCAA Championship are all unique no two teams are the same, but they all are focused on achieving the same goal. Like all of us, we are unique but seeking the same goal which is to fulfill God purpose for our lives.

Here are five things the field of 64 teams must do to achieve their championship goal. These five lessons do not only apply to basketball. They will also lead you to success on your journey to being the best that God created you to be:

1. Trust the system – every coach has a system, which is designed to maximize the potential of their players and put them in the best situation to be successful. God is our coach, and his system is designed to create opportunities for us to be our best. When players fail to execute the coaches game plan, they often lose. We must believe in God’s system, follow and trust his plan for our lives. As God states in Jeremiah 29:11, "his plan is to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Therefore, trust the system because it’s designed to maximize your skill sets. 

2. Bring it all together – In its 78-year history, only seven teams completed the year undefeated and won the men’s basketball NCAA Championship. That means 71 others team won the Championship with an imperfect record.   The road to championship moments in your life will be filled with failure and areas of imperfection. However, what is most important no matter your record is that you bring it all together at the right time. The mistakes, disappointments, heartache and tears – all the lessoned learned were designed to equip you to stand strong in your championship moments.

3. Don’t be afraid of the moment – When opportunities for success arise they are often in unfamiliar environments. To be selected to play in the NCAA tournament, teams must show they have the ability to win important games away from their home court. They must demonstrate their capacity to play in unfamiliar environments and win. Opportunities will come, and when they arrive, you cannot be afraid of the moment. If you’re going to be the Champion God created you to be you must be willing to embrace the moment and shine in unfamiliar environments.

4. Don’t’ lose when you should win – The most exciting timeframe of the tournament ever year is the first weekend because this is when the most upsets occur. Higher seeded teams expected to contend for the championship lose to teams they should beat. They arrive at their moment and fail to execute their game plan. As you mature in your life, certain things should not beat you. Opportunities for success come, and we lose them because we allow mistakes from the past, old habits or unfruitful relationships beat us. Identify these circumstances as opponents who desire to prevent you from being the Champion God created you to be. These opponents are not on your level, don’t allow them to beat you when God has equipped you with everything you need to beat them.

5. Focus and Finish – Success is not promised, champions are not born they are made. It is a consistent focus on your vision and willingness to complete every task associated with your goal that you achieve success. Last y.ear's NCAA Champion Villanova, won on a last second shot to beat North Carolina. Although they were losing in the closing seconds of the game, Villanova did not give up and concede the game. They did not lose focus and finished strong by making the last shot to put them ahead. Life has a way of making you feel like you can’t win. Like Villanova, never count yourself out especially when the circumstances indicate that your losing. Always give life your best shot, stay focused on our goals and finish strong.

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