Lessons from Michael Jordan

Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan's influence extends far beyond the court. His relentless drive, unparalleled work ethic, and unwavering belief in himself have inspired millions.

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." [1][2]
"I've missed more than 9000 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." [1][2]
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." [1][3]
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." [2][4]
"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." [1][2]
"Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion." [2][3]
"You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them." [2][5]
"To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don’t isolate." [5][6]
"If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life." [1][3]
"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." [1]
"Heart is what separates the good from the great." [1][2]
"I've never lost a game, I just ran out of time." [1][3]
"If you quit once it becomes a habit. Never quit!" [2][5]
"The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether it's proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you're doing." [1][5]
"I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder the next time." [1][2]
"You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that." [1][5]
"To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail." [2][5]
"Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation." [2][4]
"Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you." [1][7]
"Learning's a gift, even when pain is your teacher." [1]
"Enjoy every minute of life. Never second-guess life." [1]
"If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome." [2]
"It doesn't matter if you fall down, it's whether you get back up." [2]
"The key to success is failure." [2]
"I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win." [2][3]
"Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again." [2]
"Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work." [1]
"I want to be the bridge to the next generation." [1]
"The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace." [1]
"If it turns out that my best wasn't good enough, at least I won't look back and say I was afraid to try." [1]
"You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way." [5][8]
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." [3]
"The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals, and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort." [3]
"I'm not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat." [3]
"You can't let other people tell you who you are. You have to decide that for yourself." [3]
"I've never been afraid to fail. I get frustrated when I don't do well, but I've never been afraid to fail." [3]
"Another day, another opportunity to prove everyone who doubts you wrong." [2]
"It's better to shoot and miss, than to let time run out and wonder what if." [2]
"I own the guy guarding me." [2]
"There's only one Michael Jordan." [2]
"Don't let them drag you down by rumors just go with what you believe in." [2][5]
"If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you've lost your focus." [1]
"Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night." [1]
"Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate." [1]
"Once you leave the ground, you fly. Some people fly longer than others." [1]
"Having potential is not a guarantee of winning, but showing perseverance might be." [5]
"I can't speak for other people. I have a hard enough time speaking for myself. But if you have a voice, if you have a vision, you have an obligation to speak up." [3]
"Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try." [2]
"I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot… when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result." [7][8]
"Why would I think about a shot that I haven't taken yet?" [9]

Key Learnings from Michael Jordan's Career

Beyond his memorable quotes, Jordan's career offers profound lessons on what it takes to succeed.

Embrace Failure as a Catalyst for Success: Jordan famously detailed his numerous "failures" as the very reason for his success. [4] He viewed each missed shot and lost game not as a setback, but as a lesson and a stepping stone toward improvement. [4] This teaches that resilience and the ability to learn from failure are fundamental to achieving greatness. [4]
The Unwavering Power of a Strong Work Ethic: Natural talent was only part of Jordan's equation. His legendary work ethic set him apart. [4] He was known for being the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave, constantly pushing himself and his teammates to be better. [4][7] The lesson is that hard work consistently outperforms talent when talent doesn't work hard. [4]
Master the Fundamentals: Jordan emphasized that true excellence is built on a solid foundation of the basics. [8][10] He warned that straying from the fundamentals in any pursuit—be it sports, work, or education—can lead to a collapse of skill and performance. [5][8]
Mental Toughness is Paramount: Jordan's psychological edge was as formidable as his physical prowess. He possessed an unshakeable confidence and the ability to perform under immense pressure. [9][10] He taught that a winning mindset, one that remains positive and focused amidst adversity, is often the deciding factor between success and failure. [4][9]
The Importance of Teamwork: While an individual force, Jordan understood that championships are won through collective effort. [9] He demanded the best from his teammates and knew that for a team to succeed, each member must excel in their specific role. [7][9]
Live in the Present Moment: Jordan's focus was legendary. He didn't dwell on past mistakes or worry about future outcomes. [7] By concentrating on the present moment, he was able to perform at his peak when it mattered most. [9]
Set High Expectations for Yourself: Jordan believed in setting lofty goals for himself. This internal drive to meet his own high standards was a constant source of motivation. [2][5]
Adaptability in Crucial Moments: The Chicago Bulls, under Jordan's leadership, faced numerous obstacles. A key to their success was their ability to analyze challenging situations and adapt their strategy to overcome them. [9]
Lead by Example: Jordan didn't just talk about hard work and dedication; he embodied it. He expected his teammates to match his level of commitment, and he led from the front, demonstrating what was required to win. [7][8]
Stay Humble and Curious: Even at the pinnacle of his success, Jordan remained a student of the game, always seeking ways to improve. [10] This underscores the importance of maintaining a learner's mindset, seeking feedback, and never becoming complacent. [10]

Learn more:

Lessons from Michael Jordan

Key Learnings from Michael Jordan's Career

Written by Antoine Buteau

Lessons from John Malone

Lessons from Hock Tan