The Difference Between Average and Elite: Focus, Feelings & Forward Motion
Every leader needs a lift from time to time—a reminder of why we do what we do, and who we’re doing it for. I’m here to encourage you to keep pressing forward, to grow into the person God designed you to be. I’ve never claimed to have it all together—but I did say “yes” to God’s call. That one decision set me on a path to live a life of purpose, and now I’m here to help you do the same: to live your best life, reach your God-given potential, and fulfill your divine mission.
Let’s get into today’s topic.
1. Focus Is Everything
John Maxwell once said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” That’s not just true in business. It’s true in your home, your career, your ministry, your relationships, and your projects. As the leader goes, so goes the organization. Whether you’re a CEO, a coach, a parent, or a pastor—you’re leading something. And how you lead matters.
I’ve been walking in my calling for over 40 years. When I said “yes” to God in 1975—October, second weekend to be exact—I wasn’t looking for recognition. I wasn’t chasing titles. I just didn’t want to be average. I told God, “I don’t want to live a mediocre life. I want to live a meaningful life.” And that decision has taken me from a small group of 35 people to pastoring thousands in St. Louis, Missouri, through Church on the Rock. God is faithful!
So what separates the average from the elite? The answer is focus.
2. Focus Determines Your Future
Here’s a truth that’ll change your life: What you focus on expands.
Focus is the second principle in our series on what separates high performers from the rest. Focus expands your thinking, shifts your feelings, and ultimately determines your behavior—and your results.
If you focus on the negative, it’ll grow. Focus on your hurts, your past, or your limitations, and those will define your reality. But focus on possibility, vision, and what God says, and you’ll experience peace, clarity, and progress. Focus is powerful.
That’s why I have vision boards in my office and garage. I fill my space with pictures of where I want to go and who I want to become. It’s not hype—it’s biblical. In the book of Job, it says, “The thing I feared has come upon me.” What you focus on becomes real.
So let me ask you: What have you been focusing on these past 24 hours?
3. Focus Fuels Your Feelings
Focus affects your feelings. And when you don’t feel right, you don’t make right decisions. I can look back over my life and point to every dumb decision I made—and every time, I didn’t feel good that day. Emotionally, physically, or spiritually, I was off. Focus was the culprit.
That’s why we say: Change your focus, change your feelings. Change your feelings, change your decisions. Change your decisions, change your life.
And it’s not just feelings. Your focus impacts your attitude and your effort—two things that set elite leaders apart.
When we planted Church on the Rock 41 years ago, I had people telling me, “What makes you think you’ll succeed? Others have tried and failed.” You know what I told them? “I’ll outwork everyone. I’ll outserve everyone. I’ll outfocuseveryone.” That’s how we build something that lasts.
4. Consistency is the Game-Changer
The third principle we touched on is consistency. Everyone wants the results, but not everyone wants the routine. You see someone with energy, stamina, success—and you think, “I want that.” But are you willing to do what they did, consistently?
Consistency is about developing the right daily habits. You don’t break bad habits by just resisting them—you replace them. You create a new ritual, and you repeat it every day.
Ask yourself:
“How will I feel if I give in to this habit?”
“How will I feel if I don’t?”
“What new habit can I develop at the same time every day to build consistency?”
Champions aren’t created in one big moment. They’re crafted in daily decisions.
5. Adversity Sharpens Focus
I recently listened to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. He said the two greatest contributors to success are:
A relationship with God, and
Adversity.
Wow. Even at Disney, top executives are chosen not by credentials but by how much adversity they’ve overcome. Why? Because adversity builds resilience, and resilience is the fruit of focus.
Don’t focus on what you’ve lost. Don’t rehearse your rejection. Your past is a classroom, not a campground. There’s a reason your windshield is bigger than your rearview mirror—your future is bigger than your past.
6. Legendary Leaders Focus Forward
Here’s the truth: legendary leaders are mission-minded. They don’t get stuck in distraction, drama, or delay. They’re not paralyzed by fear or failure. They focus forward.
So I challenge you today—what are you focused on?
Take a few minutes to write down your MISSION, vision, and purpose. Keep it in front of you. Let it fuel your daily routine. Let it shape your attitude and your effort. And then watch as God takes you from average to elite.
You're not meant to live a mediocre life. You’re called to a meaningful one.
Let’s go get it.
Until next time, keep climbing, stay focused, and lead strong.
—Pastor David Blunt
Leadership Lifter
