You probably don’t know the name of Tim Grover, but you almost certainly know the name of Michael Jordan.

Maybe you should know Tim Grover’s name as well.

Tim Grover trained Michael Jordan. He has also trained a large group of other National Basketball Association players. Many of these would be well-known names also. He has trained many more people who are not all stars.

I recently read a couple of quotes from Tim Grover’s book Relentless. In this book, he extols the virtue of showing up, working hard, and listening.

“I don’t care how much you can lift, how fast you can run, how many pull-ups you can do, or whether you can hit a three while blindfolded. There are only three things I ask of every client . . . Show up, work hard, and listen. That’s it. It requires no talent, no special genetics, or any skill whatsoever to show up, work hard, and listen.”

“When I train my athletes, it’s a dictatorship with three rules: show up, work hard, and listen. If you can do those three things, I can help you. If you can’t we have no use for each other. . . I’m not going to work harder than you do for your benefit. Show me you want it, and I’ll give it to you.”

As I read this, I couldn’t help but think how much sense this made. Most things in life fall into Tim Grover’s three requirements. If we are willing to give the time and effort and take instruction, we will see so many benefits.

How many people do you know who don’t show up, don’t work at it, and will not take instruction? I see these failures in many people who come to me for counseling. Even If I can point out some obvious opportunities for help, many people will not make the effort to grow and progress.

In spiritual things, it is even more important. We have a God who wants to bless us. He asks very little. We simply have to seek Him and His direction. He wants to give it.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29: 13).