Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren… ~2 Corinthians 11:24-26
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest NBA player of all time (and I’m a Lakers fan). He may be the most famous player acknowledged in the history of basketball—winning six NBA Championships, MPV trophy five times, was in a dozen All-Star games, and two Olympic gold medals.
In a famous ad campaign launched by Nike, Michael is quoted as saying he lost almost 300 games (that’s more games than many NBA players ever play in), missed over 9000 shots (more shots than an average NBA player even takes), and was given the ball 26 times to take the game winning shot—and missed. Jordan goes on to say the reason he has succeeded boils down to using failure as motivation to shoot for success. Jordan’s career shooting average was just below 50% so every other shot, on average, was a miss!
In a famous ad campaign launched by Nike, Michael is quoted as saying he lost almost 300 games (that’s more games than many NBA players ever play in), missed over 9000 shots (more shots than an average NBA player even takes), and was given the ball 26 times to take the game winning shot—and missed. Jordan goes on to say the reason he has succeeded boils down to using failure as motivation to shoot for success. Jordan’s career shooting average was just below 50% so every other shot, on average, was a miss!
But he is one of the greatest players in NBA history. You’re made for greatness too. You’re made for the violent arena, not anonymous in the bleachers. You’re a winner. You’re a world changer.
But you’re also made for failure because there is no winning without losing. There is no greatness without great failure. There is no success without failure.
Do not fear rejection. Do not fear failure, but lean into it. Step up to it. Get out the anonymous, faceless audience of the unknown and do something with your life.
You only get one shot at life with it takes many shots and misses to mold you through failure into your best version. Go for it!
But you’re also made for failure because there is no winning without losing. There is no greatness without great failure. There is no success without failure.
Do not fear rejection. Do not fear failure, but lean into it. Step up to it. Get out the anonymous, faceless audience of the unknown and do something with your life.
You only get one shot at life with it takes many shots and misses to mold you through failure into your best version. Go for it!
