Developing your winning edge

By Tope Popoola

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The winning edge is the little thing that makes the big difference. The difference between 1st and 2nd place is not distance, it’s usually seconds but the prizes are not usually that close. When water is at 99 degrees, it is very hot, but at 100 degrees, it is BOILING! Life’s greatest achievements are made by slightly excelling over others in the same field. It’s not about competition but distinction.

The army of Israel pursued the Phillistines after David killed Goliath but David was the subject of the women’s songs, because of his winning edge. How do you develop that special edge that makes you win? How do you get to the level where your life does not centre on competition but you stand out so clearly from among the crowd? I want to share the following tips with you

1. Build your life around a purpose bigger than yourself and your present position.

Like the Apostle Paul, “run straight to the goal with purpose in every step”. If you only design your life around you, you can never grow bigger than yourself.

The man who is wrapped up in himself ends up being a miserably small package. Never think of purpose in terms of yourself.

Think of yourself in terms of purpose. Anything to the contrary leads to frustration and achievement without satisfaction. Find one platform where you are willing to make life better for humanity and you are on your way to breakthrough.

2. Have a vision for winning. Stop broadcasting your excuses for failure. Keep a vision of success ahead of you. Surround yourself with images of your destination. Develop a reward consciousness. What do you stand to gain if you do win? Do you want to even consider the alternative? Paul had a vision of the prize he was going to win and he kept that as his motivating factor. “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”. Your motive is your best motivator. You have no business in the race of life if you have no vision of winning. Set clear goals and be willing to pursue them through an action plan!

3. Be distinct in your expertise. According to Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:8 : For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? Draw boundaries. Know what you can and cannot do. Then decide to excel at what you can do! When asked the key factor in his success story, Warren Buffet answered, “I stick only to the things I understand”. Jack of all trades is usually master of none.

If you want to be a great boxer, learn like Paul not to miss your punches. If you were given the opportunity to do only one thing for the rest of your life, what would that ONE THING be? You don’t capture the market by highlighting the benefits of your product equally provided by a competing product. You do so by talking about something yours does that the competing product does not! It’s called THE LAW OF DIFFERENTIATION. Another name for it is your blue ocean strategy.

4. Do what you love and love what you do. Passion betrays convictions. Find your passion and you’ve found your future. Be enthusiastic. Be a crusader around your expertise. Do what you want to be known for and you will be known for what you do. It may not be popular ab initio, but you need to convince yourself first that it is a platform for blessing multitudes.

Your passion streamlines your priorities. When you find what you are willing to commit the rest of your life to, it’s no struggle knowing what NOT to do.

When you start doing what is needful, you do not have time for what is not! Stick to what you are willing to be persecuted for, so that even if there is no one to encourage you, you find encouragement in God and the vision of your destination. Jesus was so passionate about the Father’s business that he left no one in doubt about His convictions. Ditto Paul.

They both gave their lives for their convictions. This is arguably life’s most interesting paradox: Whatever you are willing to die for is the only thing strong enough to keep you alive. Want to know your reason for living? Find a cause you are willing to die for! Then build your life around it.

Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!