Leadership Lessons from Michael Jordan
In the 90s, I was a Chicago Bulls fan! I was fortunate enough to grow-up watching Michael Jordan play basketball. It was an exciting time for the NBA & the Chicago Bulls fans! I’ve read several books on Michael Jordan & felt it would be suiting to share some of the lessons I’ve learned from him.
Michael Jordan clearly had experienced high levels of achievement and success in his lifetime, so here are 10 life lessons we can learn from Michael Jordan:
1. Overcome Obstacles
If you are trying to achieve anything in life there will be obstacles & challenges; I guarantee it & you can take that to the bank! Everyone who has achieved greatness has had to overcome roadblocks on their journey towards success. Don’t give-up on your goals just because there are challenges in your way. Find a way to overcome the roadblocks, but whatever you do; never give-up & never stand still.
2. Don’t be Afraid to Fail
Failure is an integral part of the journey towards success. Most people are afraid to fail because they are afraid to make mistakes & worry about how people would perceive them, which is why they never succeed. It’s OK to fail as long as you learn from your mistakes & grow into becoming smarter & wiser. Successful people know that defeats are the most valuable experience in life. It’s our mistakes that show us the right way eventually.
3. Try your Hardest
How can you achieve your goals & dreams if you don’t even try & fail? You can’t! If you really want something you have to give it your all & work at it & be willing to put-in the long hours required to achieve greatness. Your new business isn’t going to start itself, you won’t get that promotion if you don’t work for it, and you won’t be remarkable if you copy others. Things may not work out how you planned but at least you gave it your best shot. If you have a goal or a dream just do it! You don’t always get what you want but you get what you need.
4. Practice Everyday
Getting good at something is not enough these days. Many people are good at many things, but if you want to make a difference and live your life to the fullest by doing your best, you’ll need to master a skill. You don’t just need to be consistent & work hard, because that’s not enough m. It’s the daily commitment that lets you be the best version of yourself & become the best at something.
5. Make it Happen
Which type of person are you? It’s up to you to make things happen & you can’t go around blaming others for your mishaps. It’s your choice & only yours! When you are going after your goals and dreams it is 100% up to you whether or not they came to fruition. So make it happen & quit wining!
6. There are NO Limits
Any limits & fears that you have are all made-up in your head based on your perception about reality. They are illusions! The only limits that we have are the limits that we place on ourselves inside of our own minds. You can overcome and achieve anything that you truly believe you can & are willing to put in the sweat & hard work to achieve your goals!
7. Enjoy the Game
Whatever you do, make sure you’re having fun! Life is much easier this way, and you perform better. Find something you enjoy, get good at it, and create something meaningful out of your life!
8. Let go of Expectations
Expectations often get in the way of what we want to achieve in life & if you let them get to you, they prevent you from moving forward. It’s all in your hands & others have nothing to do with it, so don’t listen to what they expect, don’t take into consideration how they see things, just stay focused on your game & do what feels right.
9. Be Dedicated
In order to receive what success has for you, you’ll have to give something in return. It’s often your time, energy, and focus. Dedicate enough of them, and you’ll be on top of your game!
10. Focus on your Goals
There are many distractions in life. You need to deal with failures, other people’s opinion, your personal problems, and many other things. Never loose focus of your goals. Write your vision, stay true to what you believed in, and never let anything from the outside world get to your mind or heart.
The Maverick
Hashim@dartec.com.sa
