LAW 10 — CHAPTER 10: The Law of The Rubber Band
Growth Stops When You Lose The Tension Between Where You Are And Where You Could Be
LEARN IT
“Mediocrity Is Not A Worthy Goal”
I. A Series of Stretches
A. What do you think John means by “God’s gift to us: Potential. Our gift to God: Developing it”?
B. John discusses a series of his personal “stretches” along the way of his life. What does he mean by “stretches”?
C. What are some stretches you have experienced in your life? How have they developed you and challenged you?
D. Is there some place in your life right now you need to stretch?
LIVE IT
“It’s Easy To Be Average”
II. Stretching- to be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
A. Few people want to stretch
1. Why do you believe so few people want to stretch?
2. Is “average” really good enough?
3. What does “living by default” mean?
B. Settling for the status quo ultimately leads to destruction
1. How do you view this quote by psychologist Abraham Maslow: “If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy the rest of your life.”
2. For all it’s worth, “average” can generally be achieved by merely showing up.
C. Stretching always starts from the inside out
1. Explore this quote by James Allen: “You cannot travel within and stand without.”
2. Could it generally be said that a person who never moves beyond average is not moving within?
3. Talk about this idea: “You are exactly where you should be in life given everything you have done to get here.”
4. How can you evaluate where you are and where you want to be?
D. Stretching always requires change
1. Stretching requires we believe we can start again.
2. Stretching requires we develop the ability to stretch
3. Stretching requires risk
4. Think about this quote: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
E. Stretching sets you apart from others
1. Discuss the limiting nature of this saying: “Good enough”
2. Why does John say, “There is plenty of room at the top?”
3. How many people do you know that truly are seeking to make their life extremely better…not merely more money, but a truly better life?
4. Are you setting yourself apart?
F. Stretching can become a lifestyle
1. Reflect on this quote by Rabbi Nahman: “If you won’t be better tomorrow than today, then what do you need tomorrow for?”
2. Just as exercise can become “addictive” to the athlete, so can stretching to the achiever.
3. Remember, success is not an arrival place to stop stretching.
G. Stretching gives you a shot at significance.
1. Imagine if more people aspired to become more.
2. What is meant by this quote: “A possibility is a hint from God; one must follow it.”?
3. What is meant by the term “Significance?”
4. How does stretching change indifference in to make a difference?
H. Stretching to the end
1. We are again reminded that stretching is a life-long pursuit.
2. Our lives must be in a constant pursuit of growing, learning, improving and giving more.
Facilitation Questions Options
OVERCOME GROWING PAINS
(Specific Steps to Amazing Growth)
• In what areas of your life have you lost your stretch and settled in?
• Have you been able to define your own potential? If not, seeking aid in this are from a coach or mentor may be in order.
• What habits have you developed that have hindered your progress toward your potential?
• Rate your satisfaction in areas of your life. In what areas have you become “average” and may have lost some stretching?
• Create some specific means for stretching in the areas of your life for which you are no longer winning.
• Remember to establish a balance between your potential and your present place so that stretching is both possible and challenging. This tension is critical, but you do not want to get so overwhelmed that you simply give up.
• Your stretching goals should be SMART:
Specific – words like “more, bigger, faster” are not specific
Measurable – without measuring, how do you know if you succeeded?
Attainable – they should be something you WILL actually do
Realistic – they must be something you CAN actually do
Timed – without a timed arrival, you are only creating a wish list
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