Who doesn’t know Michael Jordan? Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, M.J.’s rules of success on the basketball court has translated well into his entrepreneurial journey. Here are three of his most valuable lessons that have helped me succeed in life and business — and will help you, too, if you let them.
Lesson #1: Always Get Better
In an interview, M.J. once said (paraphrased):
“No matter how good I thought I was, I knew I could always get better. I could still be a better player, a better father, and to a certain extent a better role model. I always knew that the moment I felt I couldn’t get any better in basketball, I’d step away from the game.”
To me, this belief always meant three things:
• To have high expectations for yourself
• To always strive to get better•
• And to never get comfortable at any level
I’ve always believed that we’re like fruits – the moment we feel we can’t get any better, that’s when we get “ripe.” And when we get ripe, that’s when we start to rot.
So don’t settle. Don’t get “ripe.” Always get better.
Lesson #2: Don’t Blame.
In one of his TV ads, M.J. said (paraphrased):
“Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I made you think it was easy. Maybe I made you think my greatness started at the free throw line, and not in the gym. Maybe I broke the game.
“Or maybe… you’re just making excuses.”
In life and business, it’s normal to compare yourself to the greats. It’s a good way to give yourself a direction and goal to aspire to.
But sometimes, when times get really tough, it’s easy to start looking for excuses:
• “Maybe the greats had these resources and I don’t.”
• “Maybe the greats had these opportunities and I don’t.”
• “Maybe the greats had these people around them and I don’t.”
That’s dangerous, because making excuses is basically giving yourself permission to give up. And as you already know: Giving up is the only real way of failing in life and business.
My advice? Don’t make excuses. Make adjustments.
Lesson #3: Fail Forward.
In one of the most popular Nike ads of all time, Michael Jordan said (paraphrased):
“In my career, I missed more than 9,000 shots. I lost more than 300 games. I missed 26 potential game-winners. I kept failing over and over.
“And that’s why I succeed.”
In my experience, success in life has always been two steps forward, one step back. In some cases, it’s nine steps back, 10 steps forward. But as long as you don’t stop trying, you move forward.
My advice? Treat failures as lessons. They’ll help you find the right adjustments to make to take that all-important step forward.
Be Like Mike
Are you stuck in some areas of your life? Perhaps, like Michael Jordan, you can find the willpower, strength, and determination to get unstuck. Hopefully, these lessons will point you in the right direction — as they have for me, many times.
Photo: Getty Images