Perseverance and Goal Setting by Drew Ott

Team Ox Strong,
What an amazing and encouraging morning we had at Ox Strong this past Saturday. We had 52-54 in attendance and 15 new attendees. Each of us received such a great challenge from former U of I Hawkeye’s football player Drew Ott (only age 26). Not only was it good for us to hear his challenge, but I believe it was healthy and encouraging for Drew to be able to verbally express how God’s been working on his heart throughout his life and trials as well. Below are some of the key points that Drew challenged us with…hope this was and continues to be helpful to each of you. 
Nate

Mindset and Goals:

• Drew is always 100% into what intrigues him. This is what makes him so passionate about God, Football, Farming, Hobbies and his Wife.
• Start Small, but at least start. For Drew he began with setting some very clear and mature goals as early as 7th grade.
• Make it a want and a need.
• Be mentally strong. The problem with our young men today is that many of them are too soft. They react negatively towards any form of criticism and or stern correction.

Childhood Morals:

• Grew up Catholic. After hearing his testimony and life story no one would have been able to tell his denomination had he not told us.
• Grew up a God-Fearing believer.
• He practiced and understood that God was always present and watching him.
• Was always prepared.
• Was a self-motivator.
• Started with small goals.
• Kept sight of his goals.
• Removed himself from negative people who could potentially keep him from achieving his goals.
• What is hard for Drew to accept is that throughout his life he was doing everything right, nothing could take him down – then came the trials – he messed up his elbow, then his knee failed him, and then at his pro-day his hamstring failed him as well. Though his body at times has failed him physically, it is important for me to note that Drew never said that God failed him.

Transition:

• This was a difficult experience for him.
• Rehab was becoming his life.
• He had many sob moments…pity parties.
• He became a bit of a drama queen.
• He took on the victim mentality (good timing to hear that phrase as it will be the topic of my next blog posting).
• Those things (alcohol, smoking, sugar, parties, etc.) he’d put off so that he could achieve his goals became some of the things he resorted to when all seemed lost.
• He came to realize that God had a different plan for him, and that he needed to stop fighting it. After removing the drama queen glasses, he then began seeing the true happy life that God had placed right in front of him all along.

Today:

• Tries to keep busy…he said that idle hands are the devils work.
• He continues with his no excuses mentality.
• He remains true to the principals God’s instilled in his heart and life. Loves his wife and Savior. 
• He is living by faith and acting out who God made him to be.
• Lives by the phrase: Don’t take ridicule from someone you’d never take advice from. This has helped him remain true to who God made him to be.   

Nate Smith’s Challenge to the Group:

• Dating your spouse is a given and should be done regularly. My challenge is…date your child and or grandchild. Spend some quality one-on-one time with them. Practice being a good listener, and speak as the Lord leads. Talk to them about some of the things Drew pointed out…his story is a good tree for them to eat from. Praying for fruit-filled families, churches, businesses, teams, and community.