Does Your Life Feel Out of Control? ...Try This

Here in the West, in the face of geo/political tensions, imminent elections, a stagnant economy, crashing markets and an uncertain future, life can feel overwhelming, seemingly, spinning out of control.

And those are essentially external factors that can cause us concern.

Maybe for you, the chaos you're currently feeling, hits even closer to home. Perhaps your job is in jeopardy due to looming tariffs, or you're facing a challenging diagnosis, or a meaningful relationship is on the ropes, not in a good place.

So what are we to do?

Gentlemen, This Is a Football!

In July 1961, Vince Lombardi (the famous Green Bay Packer coach and who the championship trophy is named after) kicked off the first day of training camp for the 38 players.

When the players came in to start training camp, they expected to immediately begin where they left off and work on ways to advance their game and learn new ways to win the championship in the new season. When they sat down and began, Vince Lombardi held up a football and said, “Gentlemen, this is a football!”

He then had everyone open up their playbooks and start on page one, where they began to learn the fundamentals – blocking, tackling, throwing, catching, etc. That was clearly not what they expected as players who were at the top of their game.

This hyper-focus on fundamentals allowed them to win the NFL Championship that season 37-0 against the New York Giants. Vince Lombardi went on to win five NFL Championships in seven years. He never coached a team with a losing season after that and never lost a playoff game again.

I love that story.

But what's my point?

If you want to combat the chaos and overwhelm you're currently facing, then get back to basics.

Get back to the fundamentals...the blocking, tackling and throwing aspects of your life, if you will.

But you say, "Dan, where do I start?"

Glad you asked.

For me, it's reminding myself of why I'm here and what I'm here to do.

For me, those are basic fundamental ideas that need an answer.

So let me ask you...

Q. Why are you here?

Q. What are you here to do?

Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

This means, you have been created to do stuff. But not just any stuff. Specific things that God has designed you for. How amazing is that!!

Do you know what God has for you to do? Do you have a personal mission statement? Mine is essentially, "To help others overcome the barriers they are facing so they can thrive, and live with purpose, on purpose."

That's it.

Regardless of what is going on around me, and regardless of my role, husband, father, grandfather, coach or friend, my statement not only motivates me, it keeps me centred on something that isn't changed because of who's in power, or where the markets go.

Sure, I can get distracted...our culture has a way of doing that. But when I come back to the fundamentals, I can keep going with a sense of confidence, and calm.

So if you feel like you're being tossed to and fro, not sure whether you're coming or going, then I encourage you...no I plead with you to stop, pause, and get back to basics.

And if you're looking for some help, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Email me at dan@danbarbercoaching.com or schedule a call, I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time!

Dan