I recently sat on an interview committee for the hiring of a high-level position.  Over the course of the day we interviewed several qualified individuals.  Each of them was an A-player.  Their backgrounds and experiences varied, but they all had one thing in common; they were the director of their own success.  Not one of them was mediocre or ordinary.  Instead, I found them all to be excellent and quite extraordinary. And as a result of their hard work, here they sat as candidates for a senior position within our organization.  

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12

Likewise, I desire to function as an A-player in my life. It got me thinking, what drives this in me? Good life results, certainly. Type A personality with a bit of perfectionism, yep. But even more than that, I desire that all that I do will be God honoring. When I genuinely love someone or something, it is in this place that I am most willing to go above and beyond. I genuinely love God. Therefore, I am willing and called to integrity and excellence in all areas of my life.

A-players function at the top.  They are high-performing, exceed expectations, take initiative, embody integrity, and go the extra mile to achieve extraordinary results. Perhaps most importantly, A-players are accountable to themselves.  They realize that they alone control their destiny. They realize that pain is often the path forward. They realize that success is more about daily habits than some stroke of luck.  They realize attitude is a choice and not a feeling. They realize that who they surround themselves with matters. Finally, they realize that the responsibility for their life lies squarely on them. 

“I’ve learned the importance of being around only the highest quality, wherever I go.  That’s one of the best winning moves I’ve made to create the life I’ve crafted.  In my businesses, I only allow in top players, because you can’t have an A-level company with C-level performers” (Sharma, 2018, 19).  I once heard the saying “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” There is so much truth in that statement. Growing into an A-player requires exceptional discernment when deciding who to spend your time around. Choose wisely. Choose those that are life-giving. More importantly, you must become one of those people that can absorb the negativity and toxicity of C-players to fuel your ambitions.  This is way easier said than done! Nonetheless, you must learn this skill. If you do not, the resistance you will experience as you begin to rise above those who are mediocre will grind on you mentally. And let me tell you from experience, THAT is exhausting.  Believe me when I say that you do not have time in your life to waste on people who embrace a C-player mentality.  I unfortunately learned this the hard way.  There was a time when I felt guilty for moving past people that were a drain on me.  I felt as though it was my job to lift them up. Nowadays, I run away as fast as I can. 

I want to encourage you to rise to the occasion of being an A-player! The benefits far outweigh the risks, and as Christians we are called to this measure of living! Move in the direction of your fears.  View challenges as great opportunities. It is in these moments that you will push beyond your old weaker self to a stronger confident self, leaving the other 90% behind.  

My family is facing headwinds in many directions right now, but I am not discouraged.  I can feel it; something bigger for us is coming!  Bruised, battered or bloody…it doesn’t matter.  Every morning brings a new day, one that I am ready to take on.  I pick up my gloves and get back in the arena. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive your reward. You are serving Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

As we move through the season of Lent, it is appropriate to note that Jesus was an A-player.  He never sat on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do things for him.  He never criticized those in the trenches of hard work while sitting down comfortably.  He stepped into the arena daily for all of humanity.  He too was eventually marred and by blood, sweat, and scars. What a sweet legacy of salvation that He left for us.  

I too hope to leave a legacy behind in the arena of life by playing at an A-level. How about you?  Are you in or out of the arena? You can’t be both.