“Your strategy sucks,” he casually blurted and continued to play as if he’d said nothing at all. The words rolled off his tongue as easily as the dice rolled from his hand.
My friend and I were playing another game of backgammon. As you have probably guessed, I was not on the winning side. Our backgammon time usually includes a few rounds, and I usually lose almost all of them. What can I say? I’m a glutton for punishment.
In my weak defense, the game of backgammon involves a little bit of counting. It’s probably just a little to most, but numbers and I are mere acquaintances, not BFFs. My brain tends to count slow; therefore, I move around the board pretty slow, too. In stark contrast, he moves around the board at lightning speed. Show off! 🙂 On this particular occasion, there was at least one game in our marathon of play I definitely could have and even should have won. But as the competitor he is, my sweetheart came back from way, I mean WAY behind and beat me like I stole something.
I was hurt, and not because I lost yet another game. Of course the ego gets a little bruised, but a smile or quick kiss and the start of another game (where ladies always go first) always takes care of that. No, I was hurt because losing the game caused me – introspective, thinker girl – to reflect on those three words he (sans malice or ill-will) sputtered earlier.
“Your strategy sucks!”
Was he right? What does this say about me?
For days, folks, I pondered this comment. Yes, DAYS. And I arrived at the following lone conclusion:
He was right.
My strategy sucks!!
Fact is, I don’t even have a strategy when I play the game. I know I should, but my thoughts during the game are overwhelmed with trying to remember and follow the rules. I fall severely short in devising a game plan to actually WIN the game. It seems, I approach some areas of my life the same way.
This one little game really got me thinking about a game plan for my life’s goals, dreams, and ideas. In most instances I have a beautiful “picture” in my head, and even on paper, of where I want to go and what I’d like to accomplish. Now it’s time for a more precise an action plan, a strategy for moving forward. When hoping to accomplish goals, a strategy can mean the difference between making it happen and spinning your wheels, and spinning your wheels, and spinning your wheels…. Are you tired of spinning yet?
I am. My wheels have been spinning long enough. It’s time to come up with a fresh game plan for some of these projects that have been staring at me for years (I envision them with droopy, puppy dog eyes that beg, “please breathe life into me”). Here are a couple of simple things I’m doing to get me motivated and to get me moving:
1st: I remember God’s word. Proverbs chapter 16 is a good place to start.
Proverbs 16:3 NASB “Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:9 NASB “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”
Plans are good. Plans are GREAT, actually. I realize I can make plans all day long, but I must be careful to always submit those plans to God and be open to any shifts or changes, according to His will, along the way.
2nd: I ask myself a few questions:
What is my strategy – my plan of attack to carry out and accomplish these goals and plans?
What are the calculated steps I will attempt to take to make this idea, this goal of my life reality?
What items on my action plan are in my power to do?
In what areas do I need to enlist the help of others?
This is truly a work in progress for me, but I’m most thankful for the revelation. And hey, it only took losing countless games of Backgammon to catch it. Please note: I HAVE beat him before…not much, but I have. 🙂
Completely ME,
This was a token nuggets for my future steps. Thank you.
Rasheda, you have been so good at putting feet on your dreams. Just keep moving and the Lord will continue to order your steps.
I love this post! So timely (and a bit funny)! I’m going to ask myself the same questions…take an inventory, so to speak. Thx Moni!!
Taking inventory, or figuring out where we are versus where we’d like to be, is always helpful. Can’t ever go wrong by doing so. Love you, my favorite expectant mommy! 🙂
This really spoke to me. I’m in a process of taking a step back and really working through strategies behind my actions for my life. I’ve found that its so easy to just get into the doing of something, when knowing what the strategy is first will make the doing that much more efficient and effective! Thanks for the reminder!