8 comments (Add your own)

1. Nanci wrote:

This chapter has given me much to think on. Profound observation on page 17..I want to be the kind of Sermon on the Mount person Jesus describes. A person who loves her enemies (and friends) and no worries. I am a disciple of Christ.

Sat, May 1, 2010 @ 5:13 PM

2. Kim wrote:

1. Definitely struggle with trying to change by willpower alone. Growing in my relationship with God I've learned I don't do it apart from Him, but I'm very intrigued by changing by changing our narratives. I loved the example of Peyton Manning. It was a great visual for me.

2. After finding many many that "where there is a will there is a way doesn't work". I do think that changing by indirection could and will work.

4. The sleep challenge was a great challenge. I have a history of not being able to stay asleep through the night after I fall asleep (which usually isn't a problem. I like the approach and the important reminder of sleep in our lives. It was a great exercise and one I plan to continue.

5. The scriptures that have spoken to me most are Col 3:2 "Set your mind on things above", Rom 12:2 'be transformed by the renewing of our minds" Last but not least is the reminder for me of the important role the Holy Spirit has in our daily and moment by moment lives. How bless we are to have the privilege of Him indwelling us.

Mon, May 3, 2010 @ 1:31 PM

3. janeygal wrote:

i hear you nanci and kim....that person that Jesus describes and we aspire to be is a coach of virtue, not necessarily one of worldly success...we have the vision for it, not we just need to practice and learn about how to navigate in the athletic world...i would have picked those same 2 scriptures...did you ever listen to that old margret becker song "keep your mind"...check it out...thanks for checking in....keep shining

Mon, May 3, 2010 @ 3:05 PM

4. Nancy wrote:

I have often said that if I could develop good sleep habits I could be President of the United States. The Bible says that God grants sleep to those he loves. Why then do so many Christians/people have trouble sleeping? Not being able to sleep seems to carry the same confusion as depression. People that have never been depressed seem to think you should just have a better attitude. People that have no problem sleeping seem to think yuu must not be willing to surrender, are worrying etc.-some sort of sin. Sometimes my mind won't shut off no matter how tired I am physically. I am not writing this to whine but to ask "Am I missing something"? I thought the chapter was great, by the way.

Tue, May 4, 2010 @ 1:05 PM

5. janeygal wrote:

im lost on this one....understand fully...i'll ask jim!....anyone else have an answer...or thought...i do think jim's thoughts in book like not getting on internet before sleep are good?! maybe reading goodnight moon? (:

Tue, May 4, 2010 @ 5:33 PM

6. Kristen Dowling wrote:

I really enjoyed the section on Transformation: Fruit of the Spirit. This section totally gave me a new perspective on Transformation. As a believer, especially as a Coach, I constantly strive to live out the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). I often recognize my inability to have as much patience, love, etc that Christ had. I have always thought that I just needed to work harder at being patient, just like we tell our athletes that they need to work harder on there shot (spend more time). This chapter opened my eyes to the fact that simply working harder at being patient will not make me more patient. Patience is a fruit of the spirit therefor I need to work harder at pursuing the Spirit (practicing spiritual disciplines) and in turn I will develop more patience. Smith says it best, "As we engage in soul-training exercises our confidence that God is at work in and among us increases. This creates an inward change that manifests itself in outward behavior."

Simple concept but so hard because we so often try and work harder on our own as opposed to working with God.

Tue, May 4, 2010 @ 6:38 PM

7. Shauna wrote:

1). When I read the first question I immediate thought of a episode from the Biggest Loser season 7. I've attached the link so you can watch on 'you tube'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YsP7mb5R4c. The athletes I have watched train hard (or is it more they "think" they are training hard) and yet failed in making progress seem to be deceiving themselves in how hard they are training, or even in what training techniques they need to be using to create change. Dallas Willard once stated that "Self deception is a major part of what defeats spiritual formation in Christ (I might add self deception can defeat ANY formation/change not just spiritual). In self deception the individual or group refuses to acknowledge factors in their life of which they are dimly conscious, or even know to be the case, but are unprepared to deal with: to openly admit and take steps to change. As a result, those factors continue to govern their actions and shape their thoughts and emotions." How many times as coaches do we try and instruct change for our athletes, but we bump up against resistance. Learning to see change in athletic performance can be immediate and visual. Our worth as a coach can be wrapped up in "forcing" an athlete to change by controlling their behavior in order to get the results we want. Spiritual change is gradual, life long process and it isn't just about behavior modification. It is about walking the journey with another in ways that expose self deception through grace, truth, and time. Athletes and coaches want change right now! It's a short term goal.

2). change by indirection is like stopping the cycle of insanity - doing something again and again expecting a different result. I've been reading a book called, "Drive", by Daniel Pink. It's about external motivators having value, but only for the short term. Most people are not motivated by external rewards. It's the internal motivators that allow people to reach a long term goal. Will power will get you somewhere for the short term. It never seems to work for long term goals. Think about external rewards coaches give athletes in a practice. If you don't do this you'll run....if you do this correct, then practice ends early. Why is it we communicate those things daily? Athletes cringe at the words, "Get on the line!" I'm being challenged to think about how to incorporate intrinsic motivators in my athletes. It's messy and it takes time and I'm not sure exactly what that will look like, but my hope is that my athletes will by in. The old where there is a will there is a way has gotten me a bit worn out.

3). Quick thoughts on the effects of narratives and my coaching philosophy. My family taught me a lot about being responsible. Probably to the negative side of seeing I can be over responsible for my team and for personal issues going on in player's lives. I have caught myself with some thoughts this week that before reading the book I would have just agreed with mentally. However, I am seeing how sitting with the thought for a moment creates space to see that I am living by a false narrative in regards to responsibility, which then just enables an athlete to stay stuck in their mess because I am too busy trying to fix it.

4). Sleep is so good! I'm much nicer when I have slept and my mind is clear. Yet I find that I have to fight for the discipline of sleep. I'm going to practice turning off the computer earlier so I can prepare my body for true rest. When school started last fall I talked to my athletes about sleep and stress. My freshmen were so overwhelmed, stressed out, homesick, and not sleeping. Even during finals week one athlete said in 2 days she'd only slept 3 hours. I'm curious to see how her grades turn out....

Wed, May 5, 2010 @ 2:39 PM

8. janeygal wrote:

shauna and kristen....thanks for those thoughts...i feel like i can say been there, done that....and i know so many ooaches can understand....jim told this story to us in our class: a monk had been praying and praying for the ability to love people better and to be more patient.....in fact, he stayed in chapel all morning and prayed for hours...then to lunch...the cook didn't have the food exactly like he liked it and he made it known...then the bus boy didn't get his stuff quickly....he yelled at both of them....then he ran straight to chapel to shake his finger at God...."i prayed all morning , God, and this is what you give me....how can you ?" to which he heard the Lord gently reply," i heard you, and i gave you 2 oportunites to love and be patient..but..." that story is paraphrased cause i can't remember the details but you get the point....i will be praying for both of you...and for all of us..to have opportunities to practice and train to become the coaches/people we want to be....keeping the faith...

Wed, May 5, 2010 @ 5:27 PM

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