Sports players are often underrated when it comes to being someone we look up to about life. But sports, and especially group ones, actually require a huge amount of skills. Skills that you can transfer into everyday life.
Michael Jordan is one of those people we should all be taking notes from. A hugely successful basketball player, he earned the official title of the best player of all time thanks to his skills with a ball. His achievements, however, aren’t restricted to the court.
He’s also an experienced businessman, having negotiated millions of dollars in endorsement deals with a multitude of brands like Nike and Coca-Cola. And, he’s also started several ventures in car dealerships, sports teams, and several restaurants.
If you’ve ever dreamed about the success MJ has had throughout his life, this article is for you. Here are 10 Michael Jordan quotes to help you win the game of life.
1. On the importance of perseverance
If you were to speak with people in their 80s and 90s you’ll sense an overall trend of the things they regret. While some of them will talk about not spending enough time with their loved ones, not taking care of their body, or not letting go of grudges there’s another bigger topic. Regret. Most people regret not trying. It’s not the sadness of not having succeeded that gets them, but the regret of never knowing what they could have become if they just tried. Don’t end your life full of “what if’s”.
2. On understanding how to see the good inside the bad
Sounds counterproductive, right? Yet, if we look at what Michael Jordan is saying here more in-depth, we’ll find he’s actually right. None of us are born knowing exactly what to do to succeed. It comes from learning and practicing, and living through our mistakes. Say you’re learning how to shoot hoops. The first 100 shots you try will likely fail. But what you might not realize is that every time you do it wrong, you’re adjusting your body a bit before you try again. And then, when the ball soars over you while it makes its way to the hoop for that 101st shot, all that collection of failures come together to create the knowledge for one perfect shot.
3. On learning when to give things up
Life without motivation is not a life worth living. The great news is that said motivation doesn’t have to be something huge, but it does have to be there. The day you lose your passion for your work, hobby, or favourite sport is the day you should walk away from those things. Find the next thing that will ignite the same fire in you, and go at it with the same passion you did for the thing you left behind.
4. On never letting success change your nature
While there’s nothing wrong with developing self-confidence, you should never allow success to change the true nature of who you are. Even Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, remained Michael Jordan throughout his whole career. Neither fame nor money changed how hard-working, kind, and smart he is.
5. On understanding how your own words can limit you
Michael Jordan quotes like this one remind us that the only limits are the ones we put on ourselves. If you sit down and think about it, most of the fears we experience in modern society aren’t really things to be afraid of. In fact, you’ll find that most of them are just illusions and roadblocks we set for ourselves out of fear of the outcome. Think about it this way: you’ve likely had to go to a job interview at least once in your life. You were probably scared about what outfit to choose or what to answer to their questions. In the end, the conversation flowed really well and you got the job! That fear you had was just an illusion of something that never even happened.
6. On always giving it your best
There’s nothing bigger than the regret of not trying. If looking back and thinking what if I’d done this, or what if I’d said that. A life full of regrets is ultimately a sad life that wasn’t enjoyed to the max. It’s not about being able to actually reach your goal (although that’s a pretty nice reward), but of knowing that you tried your very best in the first place.
7. On the secret to true motivation
Do you want to know the secret to true motivation? There is no such thing as motivation. Well, there is, but probably not in the way you think. No one, not even Michael Jordan wakes up every day at 110% motivation. The trick here is when you find that motivation gone, to remember what caused you to start the journey in the first place. Picture yourself buying that house, getting that raise, or going on that vacation. Then use that as fuel.
8. On learning that teamwork makes the dream work
Michael makes a good point here. You might be able to win parts of the process alone, but the overall goal can only be achieved together. You’re one single person, and your skills and abilities have a limit. Not only that but using the people around you (friends, family, colleagues) to help you reach your goal might open you up to points of view on how to do the task that you might have not thought about before.
9. On what will set you apart from those who don’t succeed
Michael Jordan quotes like this remind us that action is the ultimate truth. There are two types of people in the world. Those that talk, and those that act. This is what will set you apart from the person who never reaches their goal, no matter how much they dream about it. Make a plan, come up with the steps, and actually start taking action.
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10. On finding a good mentor
This is one of those Michael Jordan quotes that remind us that even the G.O.A.T had mentors. One of the best things about living side by side with other people is that you’re likely surrounded by those who have already reached your goal. Build your skills and talent off of others who already have them. Learn from them, ask them questions, and let them be your mentor on your path to self-improvement.
