How Do I Get 1% Better Today?
THE ANSWER: Learn to Hit the Curveballs
If you’ve ever played baseball, you know there’s a big difference between hitting a fastball and hitting a curveball. Fastballs are predictable. Curveballs look good coming out of the pitcher’s hand, but then they suddenly change direction. They’re difficult because you have to make an adjustment.
Life throws curveballs too.
Most of us spend too much time hoping they’ll never come. We pray for easier circumstances, smoother roads, and fewer problems. But Jesus never promised us that. In fact, He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Trouble isn’t proof that you’re doing something wrong. Sometimes it’s proof you’re moving in the right direction.
The goal isn’t to avoid the curveballs. The goal is to become the kind of person who knows how to hit them.
Anybody can look good when life keeps throwing fastballs. Character isn’t built when everything is easy. Character is built when life changes directions and you choose to adjust instead of quit. Great leaders understand this. They don’t spend their energy complaining about the pitch they received. They make the adjustment and get ready for the next one.
One of the greatest mindset shifts we can make is to stop asking, “Why is this happening to me?” and start asking, “What is this teaching me?” Failure isn’t final; it’s feedback. Every setback is showing us something we still need to learn if we’re willing to pay attention.
I love the story of Kobe Bryant air-balling five shots in a playoff game early in his career. Most people would’ve been embarrassed or lost confidence. Kobe wasn’t interested in excuses. He simply wanted to know why the shots weren’t falling so he could get better. That’s the mindset of elite performers. They don’t run from failure—they learn from it.
Maybe you’re facing a curveball today. It might be at work, at home, in your health, or in a relationship. Whatever it is, don’t pack your bags and head home. Stay in the game. Adjust. Learn. Grow.
The curveballs are coming whether we like it or not. The only question is whether we’ll let them defeat us or develop us.
Today’s Challenge: Don’t ask God to remove every curveball. Ask Him to help you become the kind of person who can hit them.
Never Stop Getting Better
John Perry