Michael Jordan was the archetypal impact player. He changed the game every time he stepped on the court, and he elevated the play of his teammates, while making the opponents look worse. It’s why he’s one of the best athletes ever — not just in basketball. His NBA Championships and olympic medals speak to his dominance.
But he wasn’t born the best basketball player in history. He developed a frame of mind that galvanized him into excellence.
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 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,” Jordan said, via USA Basketball.
For many, it’s quite the opposite. Knowing the exact number of game-winning shots we’ve missed would stifle our confidence. For MJ, it fueled his fire.
“My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.”
Often, the thing we least like to work on in drills is the thing we need to practice most. The things that are most difficult — and what MJ referred to as our weaknesses — require our attention and patience. Whether you’re missing 3-point shots or foul shots, you’ve got to drill them with repetition, until you turn that weakness into a strength — no matter how hard it seems or how long it takes.
“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
Once you’ve overcome an obstacle in your game, you can use it to your advantage. For example, let’s say you struggled with foul shots early in the season, and as a result, opponents fouled you. After gaining confidence in your shot, you allow the opponents to continue to foul you, and you surprise them by hitting your shots. They essentially gave you free points.
Basketball requires a healthy mix of self-criticism and a positive outlook. Find a balance like MJ, and your game will improve greatly.