“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
– Michael Jordan, 6-Time NBA Champion and 14-time NBA All-Star
When we think of Michael Jordan, we often think of his six NBA championships, his game-winning shot to win a national title in college, his incredible ten seasons as the NBA’s scoring leader, and all the iconic game-winning shots he made throughout his pro career.
When we look back on Jordan’s career, it’s easy to remember a scoring machine who could do no wrong, who never lost a game or missed a clutch shot.
But as the above quote reminds us, Jordan failed many times.
Just as we all do.
What separates the great competitors from everyone else is the perseverance to get back up after every failure.
To shoot the next big shot even if you missed the last big shot.
To keep fighting and believing in yourself despite setbacks and failures.
The path to success goes through failure. Every time and for everybody.
Nobody goes through life undefeated.
It’s how you respond to defeat that determines your legacy.
How will you respond when you get knocked down and face disappointment?
Winning Self-Talk
(Try repeating the following affirmation to yourself as often as possible over the next seven days. Notice how it changes your mindset.)
“I am relentless and I will never give up on my dreams.”
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