Richie McCaw: Start Again

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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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

This is the eighth in a series of posts in a book I am reading on my Philippines trip. It contains leadership insights from the most victorious team in sports history (winning percentage = 86% as of the writing of the book): The All Blacks, The New Zealand National Rugby Union Team.

“Richie McCaw tells Greg McGee that he has always kept a notebook. It’s a working document, a library of affirmations, mantras notes-to-self, reminders, exhortations, expectations, anchors, and priming words. 

‘Need to be positive and keep believe with the boys and what we’re doing.’

‘Physicality is the key.’

‘Positive mentality in how we’re going to play.’

On game day the first words in McCaw’s book are always the same — ‘Start Again’ — a reminder that you have to prove yourself again today. For McCaw, if it’s not written, it’s not real.”

Richie McCaw as quoted by James Kerr in Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About The Business of Life (London: Constable, 2013) 94.

To put this post in context, Richie McCaw is one of the greatest All Blacks of all time, and among the greatest rugby players in the history of the game. For him to control his attention and stay focused, he journals.

Do you journal? Do you make notes of lessons God is teaching you to help you remember them? My favorite word of wisdom from McCaw’s journal is to daily ‘start again’. It’s echoes the idea of today’s Scripture.

We must forget what is behind — both failures and successes — while simultaneously remembering the lessons they teach us. What is God teaching you these days?

Journal to remember what God is teaching you on your generosity journey. This will shape your thinking today and impact your living, giving, serving, and loving into the future. Start a generosity journal today.