In the past, even while Saul was King, you were the real leader of Israel… (1 Chronicles 11:2 MSG)

I will never forget the acceptance speech that Jaime Foxx gave at the Academy Awards in 2005 when he won an Oscar for his performance in the movie "Ray," a biopic based on life of legendary jazz musician Ray Charles. As he transitioned into what he called the "toughest part of his speech," Foxx paid a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother, Estelle Marie Talley (you can watch the full speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2a1nzAciMc). As he fought back the tears, he said that she was his first acting coach. He said that his grandmother used to tell him to "stand up straight; put your shoulders back; act like you got some sense...I want you to be a southern gentleman."

His speech is a powerful tribute to a powerful woman. But it is also a powerful tribute to a powerful principle. One of the lessons we can draw from Mrs.Talley's instructions is that you cannot wait until you arrive at where you are going to start acting like you belong there. You have to start "acting like it" long before. And it may be the case that if you don't start acting like it before you arrive, you may never arrive.

This same truth meets us in the pages of scripture. When David was finally selected to be the King of Israel, the observation was made that "even while Saul was King, you were the real leader of Israel." What an incredible statement! Saul was the King of Israel for 40 years, and spent the better part of his reign (and the Kingdom's resources) trying to kill David. Saul was motivated to kill David by an intense and irrational jealousy that was birthed after David defeated a giant named Goliath who was the nemesis of Israel, and metastasized as David piled up victory after victory. While each of David's victories earned him the enmity of Saul, they earned him the respect of the nation, and cemented his reputation as a fierce warrior and noble leader. After Saul's death and David is crowned, no one seems surprised. They are not surprised because long before he had the "title" of king he was acting like a King. Leaders act like leaders before they have the title "leaders." 

Bill Walsh, the legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers, used to say that "Champions act like champions before they are Champions." 

He made that announcement to one of the worse teams in the National Football League when he arrived as their coach in 1979. Walsh then introduced and implemented a system of ideas, attitudes and behaviors that characterize championship football teams and then asked every person affiliated with the team--from the players to the parking attendants to buy in. The result? 3 Super Bowl victories.

Ideas. Attitudes. Behaviors. These are the key ingredients to success in any realm. Find out how the people in your promised land think, feel, and behave. Then adopt those practices. 

If you want to be married, start acting like it.

If you want to be a writer, start acting like it.

If you want to be wealthy, start acting like it

If you want to be a better parent, start acting like it.

If you want to build a business, start acting like it.

Start acting like it. 

Today