There’s a saying out there in the world of recruiting and hiring referred to as “Spray and Pray” also so known as “Post and Pray.” It’s actually derived from firing weapons at the enemy, as in spray bullets and pray you hit your target. In the job market the bullets are resumes, and the targets are perspective employers. There are so many people who prescribe to this method of job searching. “I’ll post my resume to a job board or give it to a recruiter and pray someone calls me back.” Here’s a nice article about it on Charlie Judy’s HRFishbowl.

There’s a difference in doing all you CAN do and all you are WILLING to do.

When you do all you can do that means you have nothing left to give, you’ve pushed yourself beyond your comfort zone and beyond your limits. Hmm. Let me make it plain. You want a promotion right? You want a raise right? Well when you do all you can do, you compete and earn that promotion and raise. You attend the cheesy community outreach corporate sponsored events. You find ways to add value to your job. You never stop learning and getting better.

When you do all you are willing to do, you use excuses to justify your failure. “They won’t GIVE me the job.” Or “They won’t LET ME…” and finally “I’m not doing that, the Lord will just have to make a way.”

No one is suggesting that you give up on your religious beliefs. Faith is a great thing to have; sometimes it’s all you have. And although miracles happens and nothing is impossible, you have to do something too.

Save the Bible quotes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”,” Peace be still”, and “All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed.” Although inspirational, they only apply once you’ve done your part.

Let’s look at it the other side. What happens when you don’t get the opportunity? Are you going to say, praying doesn’t work? Probably not, you’re probably going to place blame.

We tend to think we’re so great that if we don’t get picked it’s because of discrimination or some other force beyond our control. As a black man who has competed in Iowa, Ohio and Tennessee, I can tell you that there is racism and favoritism in the world. Unfortunately it will never end. EVER. No matter how much you pray or compete. There will always be closed minded buttpickles. You can’t control that. What you can control is your skills, connections, desires and competitive fire.

Introspection and self-evaluation is hard as hell. It’s hard to admit you are not the best and there are things you need to work on. It’s hard to look in the mirror be honest about your situation. It’s hard to push yourself out your comfort zone. It’s hard to compete. If it was easy then everyone would do it.

So there is still work to do, keep the faith, most definitely, but give God a little help.