What It Means To Be #1 (#MayneMan on Leadership)

I was thinking about a leadership program that I was involved in 2014/2015, and one of the classes was called “The Power of One Degree” based on the book “212 degrees.” So let me say this: If you haven’t read the book 212 degrees, you are truly missing out on some great nuggets.

What does it mean to be #1, let’s talk football for a moment. For players who don’t make the playoffs, football season is over for them. For those that do, here’s what players get (and this is per person):

 

For the 2022-2023 season:

Wild Card teams were paid $41,500 and division winners were paid $46,500 for Wild Card games. Despite not playing a game, players on first-round bye teams still received $41,500 for the Wild Card round.

Players made $46,500 for the divisional round and $69,000 for conference championship games.

 

Here’s a #MayneMan Insert: Notice the increase from Wild Card to Division (and teams on a first-round bye get paid for not even playing – how’s that for a blessing). And those who didn’t make it to the playoffs don’t qualify for this extra money, fame, recognition and prestige. And don’t forget the increase from Division to Conference. Now, let’s look at the Super Bowl payouts to each employee.

 

Players on the losing team (the Eagles in this case) will receive $82,000 per player. Players on the winning team in Super Bowl LVII (the Chiefs) will receive $157,000 apiece. 

 

Do you see the importance of being #1? Mediocrity is not acceptable and neither is average (and possibly above-average). Oh, I forgot to mention this: winners also receive a championship ring, which are generally valued between $30,000 and $50,000. 

 

What are your takeaways on this? I see what my best man (at my wedding) said years ago, when you perform and qualify for the playoffs when the original season is over, you extend your season. Winners extend their season!!!

 

So let’s look at the flipside of this: there are many people who are striving to be #1, and there’s at least one person who is jealous of you (smiling in your face – you should know that song). The question is why are they jealous, especially when the person striving to be #1 wants them to come along – as that’s what a good leader does. Many would say low self-esteem, yet I would believe it’s a case of wanting to be #1 and not put in the work. It would require the jealous person to have to take a look at themselves and find out what they are doing wrong, and for some, pride may be in the way to where they won’t want to admit their shortcomings. 

 

Winners who strive to be #1 have the mindset to put in the necessary work and have the discipline to finish. It requires a commitment without taking any shortcuts. And that’s very important and I hear my best man loud and clear when he says that those who aren’t prepared look for shortcuts. Yes, I understand that favor isn’t fair, at the same token, wanting to be #1 without putting in the work is really an exercise in futility (translation: a waste of time)! 

 

My desire is to see people who are with me to strive for the same goal as we are all in the same boat. I do understand that not everybody will jump onboard due to mindsets. Winners understand that betrayal could happen. Now, let me qualify this: winners don’t go looking for those who could possibly betray them, as they are so laser-focused, they are just aware that it can happen. Those who run with turkeys will easily betray those who are flying with eagles. Another way I can say that is those crabs that are in the barrel will get mad when one crab gets out. The crab that got out the barrel understands that he’s free and there’s no one holding them back! 

Winners understand that “misery loves company” and will quickly disassociate from those who are a distraction in order to complete their mission – and why is it that people hate those who are so committed? Because they have no focus and no drive to stay committed to their respective tasks themselves. It’s easy to blame shift than to be accountable for your lack of focus and commitment. In summary of this paragraph, winners understand that criticism comes from the uncommitted, and it comes in the form of “you think you’re better than me!” By the way, not everyone will appreciate your shine, don’t let that get to you. Winners understand that people who don’t have the mindset of a winner will always operate in mediocrity!

 

Most winners are excellent leaders and a good leader will set a bar (and will not accept mediocrity or even above average), not to prove they’re better than others, but to encourage them that they can do it as well and is willing to pull them up with them. They only accept excellence and will expect it for others (holding them accountable to excellence), and especially for themselves (holding themselves accountable to excellence). Unfortunately, when a good leader desires to pull others up with them, many don’t want a hand up, they want a handout. It’s easier to be given a fish because it’s a state of complacency, teaching people to fish requires work with a greater payout. People want a reward, but don’t either want the process that comes with it or they failed to count the cost. Another issue as to why people don’t want a hand up is pride. They don’t want to admit they need help or to allow others to help them, so when it’s time to perform, they’ll fall flat on their face (thus creating more embarrassment). The key to getting to #1 is to swallow your pride, allow someone to challenge your potential so you can maximize your capacity.

 

You can’t control other people and what they say and do, you can control you, and when you’re with a team that’s committed to the same goal, being #1, the team works together completing the task and not competing with each other! The only competing should be to be better (challenging each other).

 

Do you remember back when we were kids, we used to play kickball, dodgeball, baseball and other sports? When we played those games, we always chose people who were winners and/or we knew who were focused on winning. Those who were lazy or we knew who couldn’t assist in winning were always chosen last. The same concept holds true in life. Winners will hang with other winners who are focused on winning and they will help others win. Selfishness is not a characteristic of a winner. So, if you see someone with you and they wreak of selfishness, they are not for you, and they don’t have a winning spirit!

 

I believe that’s why these teams who were in the playoffs made it to the playoffs, they had the mindset of being #1! In my book, those who made it to the playoffs are winners, as they qualified for the extension of their season when the football season was really over. Overflow is imminent when you extend your season – it comes with work, faith and patience. And for the Kansas City Chiefs (though I was routing for Philly), that’s how they made it to #1. With that, swallow your pride, challenge yourself and make it your resolve to get to #1 for yourself (and not for bragging rights). Encourage others to get to #1 too. It’s more fun when others achieve success alongside with you! Help others when they struggle, no one should be left behind (that’s if they really want it). We can do it together. 

 

Blessings,

 

The Mayne Man

Are We Hiding In The Church?

Last Sunday, God was dealing with me about people in congregations hiding inside the church so they can avoid persecution from the world. Truthfully, it's a slap in the face to Christian missionaries who are ministering outside our country and are dying by the dozens for their faith in Christ. And even worse, church leaders are advocating congregations to hide in the church or don't stray too far from the church. The underlying message is that we need you to witness to fund the local church. And if the church is under budget, it means that the congregation is not witnessing to bring bodies in to balance the budget.

Jesus said in Mathew 28:19-20: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say to make church members of all nations, baptizing them in the name of your local church. He said, you are the salt of the earth, not the salt of the church. Now I'm not saying that everyone needs to leave their church and that there is no need for a local church. We need that and we need to fund local churches. The focus is on priorities - His mission and not funding the church due to a deficit. Sometimes we read passages in the New Testament as a way to get people to do missions for the benefit of the local church focusing on church membership and not on a person's salvation. 

The question I pose is how are we going to reach the world if we're hiding in our church? And how are we preaching the gospel if the emphasis is on church growth? It's sad when Christians are coming from places where they are being persecuted and ministering Christ to us in our own country. 

The reason so many are hiding in the church is because their respective social clique is there; they want their special seat in the church; it's comfortable and their family's salvation is secure; they can continually be spiritually fed and not have to share the Good News to others. And for the record, if you are witnessing to someone and the focus is inviting to church without being concerned about their salvation (of if salvation is hinged on them attending your particular church), you are technically hiding in your church. 

For many of us in our respective churches, He is calling us out into the world to reach them. You have gifts that need to touch the world. You can't do that hiding in your church (yes, God is calling some of you to use your gifts specifically for your respective church, and praise God for that). But for everyone to keep hiding in the church is a sad indictment on those dying for their faith. 

When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, they stayed in Jerusalem afterwards. It took Stephen's death for them to get out and scatter (as Christ told them to before He went back to heaven). Sadly, God has to allow things to happen to get our attention; I pray this would encourage us to be proactive. The world is more in need of us than ever before.

Blessings:

The Mayne Man

How We Christians Abuse Each Other

If you were to look at Christians today (to include those who say they are), we are losing all form of ethics and taking it to the point where we are abusing each other and adding Christian lingoes to abuse each other (really just leeching off each other for selfish purposes). It needs to stop and we need to grow up & mature.

So, how do we Christians abuse each other? Let me give you a great example.

Someone comes to me (and they say they are a man/woman of God) and say "can I borrow," or "can you do this for me cause I want to do something for someone." And they give you a 20 minute sermon before or after they ask if they can get some money from you.

Another area how we can abuse each other is taking advantage of a fellow brother's generosity or fellow sister's generosity (and again, adding Christian lingo such as "and may The Lord bless you."). 

When it's all said and done, they'll turn around, smile at you cause they know they just got over on you (even with the Christian colloquialisms). Yes, it can be frustrating, but know that The Lord will take care of you (so you can kind of dismiss when man says "may The Lord bless you."). Now it's not a problem to give out of your heart as He leads, but there should be a flag when people coerce you with the mindset of getting over on you (cutting corners).

We as the body of Christ need to stop abusing each other out of greed, cutting corners or just cause we don't to sit down & count the cost (and plan)!

Sitting on Talents

This blog post might reflect back to a prior blog I wrote entitled “Complacency & Talents"; however, I want to focus this specifically on those who are sitting on talents because of pressure around you. Sometimes the church you attend, your family, your place of employment can cause you to sit on the talents that have been bestowed upon you.

There will be little minds around you (even in your church, etc.) that will tell you that you’re not gifted in this or that because they’re not doing anything except complaining that they can’t get ahead. The local church can be a hindrance to your true talents due to politics and favoritism. Don’t kick too hard against the local church, and don’t try to change it; however, don’t let the collective talents bury your individual talents. Also keep this in mind, I’m not saying that every church has a selfish motive (and there are some good churches in your respective areas).

I also need to be a bit sensitive when I talk about this: When you deal with churches, sometimes individual talents are sacrificed for the church's agenda (and it comes from leadership). Some leaders will say that your talents are to be used ONLY for the local church and its mission (the question I would raise is: who else other than the church is going to reap the benefits)? When a leader says that, then people will sit on their talents, become complacent, individual talents are buried and the end result is not only does the local church miss out, the body of Christ at large and the world misses out. Local churches should be able to back those who have individual talents (especially when it's part of God's agenda - where it ministers to the local church and to the body of Christ at large). What I see that's very common is that churches back up those who have talents that benefit the leadership of the church or makes the image of the church look good (or they can only glorify the talents of the leadership). Some leaders might be aware and some may not be aware that everyone has gifts and talents for the local church and for the body of Christ at large. This is where people need to know the Lord and the Word for themselves, stay in constant prayer (and fast if necessary). Now here's the other side, some people in the congregation will intentionally sit on their talents for selfish reasons (or they aren't seeing instant gratification). They want all the glory for themselves and want those around, inside and outside the church as a whole, to recognize them.

A little side note: I deal with churches that are selfish a little bit in my third poetry book (on the verge of release). I made up a fictional church where the pastor is controlling, he feels the talents belong to the church, he supports alternative lifestyles, and because the congregation is so naive, they sit and their talents go to a total waste.

I mentioned little minds earlier, let’s deal with them specifically. Some of those little minds can be your family & friends, but because you chose to fulfill your talents, they are now jealous. But they’re rejoicing when you’re not fulfilling your talents because they love the company. Misery loves company. If you fall for that feeling, your sitting on your talents and you’ll give an account for that. Here’s the other side of that: people around you are fulfilling their talents and you’re jealous, griping and complaining. I ask you, why aren’t you fulfilling your talents? There’s a saying that goes (the scripture reference being 1 Corinthians 15:33): you show me your friends and I’ll tell you what you think of yourself and what you’re capable of accomplishing. If you hang with people who are complacent and complain, you’ll be one of those people. If you hang with people who want to change the world and fulfill their talents, you’ll be motivated to do the same (hopefully that's the case, unless the root of complacency is planted deep into your spirit). If you hang with people who sit on their talents because you're allowing other people are controlling them, you will be miserable and complain why others are succeeding and you aren’t. You might need to change your friends (not kick them to curb, or maybe you might have to), but you don’t have to let their actions and especially words deter you from where you’re going - this sentence is mandatory if you really want to fulfill your talents.

Don’t be discouraged, because you have a lot to offer to someone. Here’s the other side of the coin. Sometimes churches and families will thrust you into roles that you know are not your calling. The reason why that sometimes happens is because the church or family is just selfish and looking out for themselves. Example, a single mother has multiple children and thrusts them all into athletics with the belief that at least one of them will go pro and I’ll let them take care of me. I’ll be able to live the rich & famous life.

Now many people are saying, “You’re advocating people should start a business, but not everybody should start a business.” I agree with that, if that’s not your calling, then don’t start one. Don’t let your job overshadow your talent. Some people will use that as a crutch (my job is enslaving me and I’m always tired) as to why they’re not putting their talent to use. I believe God gave you a brain to put to use and to not sit and complain. Several months back, I posted this quote on Facebook, if we spent more time working our talents as we do complaining & blaming, we can make a difference in this world. If you don’t fight for your talent, you’ll lose it (as mentioned in one of my prior blogs). I'll say this again (from "Complacency & Talents"), you're an adult, GROW UP & GO FOR IT!

I want to encourage you to not let others dictate what your talents are (especially if you know what they are and not what they say they are). Remember, you will give an account for your individual talents that you don’t utilize. I’d hate to see you forfeit your talent and stay complacent in your comfort zone. A little reflective of the children of Israel where they didn’t want to go to the Promised Land, instead they wanted the complacent life.

In conclusion: I believe the majority sit on their talents because they either want instant gratification or they didn't realize how much work is involved. Once you count the cost as to how much work is involved and make the decision to go for it and put in the work; you will have adversity and trials, but the Lord will sustain you!

Freeloading (Part 1)

What’s your typical definition of freeloading? In most cases we think about freeloading friends or homeless people who stand on corners with a sign (I’ll talk about the latter in Part 2), but let’s look at it in other ways.

There’s a bible verse that says that the poor will always be among you. In fact, there’s another verse that says the soul of the sluggard desires but has nothing.

Think about this? Person #1 is a hard worker that’s not able to modify a loan on the house (irrespective if the house is under water) and only miss one payment, this person will be evicted from their home. However, if person #2 is willfully not paying their mortgage, they’re able to stay in the house – irrespective of the fact that person #2 signed a legal contract to pay for the house. Here’s an additional thing the second person can do that the first can’t do: they will also complain that they’re not receiving more benefits from others. What happens? We blame the bank and say they evil.

Now here’s my thought on that: if the bank offers you something and you know it’s not in the best interest for you, it does NOT mean that you should take it (if you know well enough you can’t afford it). This is common sense we’re talking about. 

Is there any wonder that freeloaders seem to be more needy than the diligent? Think about this, when freeloaders get a handout in some shape, form or passion, they are never satisfied. In fact, they are coveting (which is actually breaking the tenth Commandment). I can take that a step further, those who are diligent and struggle to make it are far better off than those who take the handout (in fact, people who don’t take a handout come out far better than those who take the handout). Now how many would classify freeloaders as enablers? If we enable them to freeload, then they see no need to be diligent and work with their two hands.

There are freeloaders in church also. They pray to God for health and wealth, but then they turn around and poison their bodies, and not making wise decisions with their finances. Or another group is they pray to God for health and wealth, but yet, they don’t want to work and still want the latest hook-ups. Then they turn around and complain to God, why aren’t you blessing me (they’re really saying, God, why aren’t you satisfying my greed)?

There are freeloaders in interest groups.  Their sole purpose is to seek benefit for themselves and is solely in competition with others. It’s every man for himself or every woman for herself.  Most diligent people are blessing others and will celebrate another person’s success in the group. I’m involved in an author’s group, and we’re all about keeping each other accountable and ensuring that we pursue our passions, dreams and that our talents don’t go to waste (and we encourage others to do the same without a selfish motive).

One way to solve the freeloading problem is to put more energy into our ideas and passions, the same way we put our energy into complaining and blaming. Also remember, what may be free to you will always be at the expense of something or someone else.

Is Laziness Still In Your Dream?

I was originally going to write a quote about this on my Facebook wall, but a friend probed me to write a blog about this. So many times, I see people who have dreams and have told me their dreams; but one the biggest things I see is the root of laziness. So, I ask you today, is that still in your dream?
I know you have passions and talents, but are you willing to get out of bed and work towards that dream in your heart? There's a biblical saying that goes: the soul of the sluggard desires but gets nothing; while the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (another translation is simply this: lazy people want much but get little, while the diligent are prospering). So many times, people get mad when others are prospering and they're not. I repeat my question: is laziness still in your dream.


A good acid test to see if you're downright lazy. If your alarm clock goes off, and you stay in bed for another 30 minutes to an hour (95% of the time), more & likely, laziness is part of your dream. If you plan to be somewhere at a specific time and 95% of the time you're late (and even those who wait till the last minute to do something 95% of the time), more & likely, laziness is part of your dream.


I'm willing to bet that most millionaires had a dream and/or an idea and decided to pursue it no matter the cost. Laziness was not in their vocabulary. I believe faith, perseverance, and persistence was in their vocabulary. Will you today, pursue your dream and pluck the root of laziness out of your dream and burn it so it won't keep you defeated and bitter? Will you today, have faith in the God who sees all and knows all, be persistent and persevere at all cost. Will you today declare that desire is not enough for your life. Once you get that desire, back it up with a decision, determination & discipline (most people stop at the latter), and on a daily basis, we have to keep laziness from creeping into our dreams.