These won't all be on basketball players, I promise.
But the subject of the third part of our 'Success Leaves Clues' series has a reputation so fierce that I could hardly leave him out.
I've done a lot of research on Michael Jordan, but, while recently watching The Last Dance - a new series all about him and his Chicago Bulls dynasty - I decided that I simply had to break down his most successful traits for you.
So here goes.
3 Things To Learn From Michael Jordan:
1) View Negative Things Positively
Growing up, Jordan was incredibly close with his father, a bond that got even stronger throughout his career - "my rock" in MJ's words.
One of the most important values that both of his parents - James and Deloris - has instilled in MJ was to always take the bad things in life and shift his perspective to view them more positively, as challenges to overcome.
The resolve of such a value was soon put to the ultimate test.
On July 23, 1993, James Jordan was driving from Wilmington to Charlotte, North Carolina, when he pulled over on the side of the highway to nap in his car. While he slept, he was shot in the chest and killed during a botched robbery, tragically murdered at the age of 56. His body was dumped in a swamp in McColl, South Carolina, and was later found in a creek between the border of North and South Carolina.
MJ was understandably distraught, worsened by the media accusations that his own father's death had somehow been his fault, due to gambling issues.
Having just won three consecutive NBA Championships with the Bulls, Jordan then announced a retirement from it all.
But, fast forward to 1996, and MJ was back, playing in yet another NBA Finals.
The Bulls won the series on July 16 - Father's Day - and MJ ran to the locker room and fell on the ground, crying, overcome with emotion at such a bittersweet victory.
Above all, MJ and his mother have said that, with time, they have managed to view such a tragic event more positively, choosing to commemorate James Jordan's life and impact on the world, rather than remaining stuck in the negative.
Allow this story to change your perspective on what problems you really face.
And then choose to view them as challenges, and as ways to increase your mental toughness.
2) Don't Give A Fuck About What People Think
Far too many people spend far too much time worrying about what others think of them.
They tailor their outfit, their opinions, their social media posts, just to appease people who don't particularly like them.
Just Be You.
MJ got that.
He lived by it.
For example, during his brief hiatus from basketball, he decided he wanted to try his hand at baseball, having been a good player in his youth.
And he was slaughtered for it.
Even Sports Illustrated, who Jordan would never again talk to, claimed that he was 'embarrassing baseball'.
But do you think that was enough to put him off?
MJ simply used it as fuel, developing his game and body to maximise his baseball ability, and there are some who say he could've made it into the professional MLB, if he hadn't returned to basketball.
If you want to start a new venture, or try a new activity, or ANYTHING, don't be put off by your false perception that everyone will judge you for it.
Chances are you won't be criticised like Jordan was for switching to baseball.
And even if a few people do give you shit, so what?
It just shows who really matters in your life, and who you need to cut out.
3) Be Crazy Competitive
In modern society, influenced by excessive political correctness, competitiveness is often viewed as a negative trait.
It's polite to 'give others a chance', and it lets 'everyone feel special'.
But that is far from real life.
Participation trophies simply encourage averageness.
When it comes to really making the most out of your life, competitiveness will be a decisive factor.
And it is important to show it in EVERYTHING you do, even the seemingly mundane stuff, as it keeps your competitiveness sharp and ready for when it's most needed.
MJ is possibly one of the most competitive men to ever walk the earth.
There are countless stories of his unbreakable will to win surfacing not only during games, but at practice too, trash talking his own teammates and really going at them to see what they were made of.
Steve Kerr, former Bulls player and current Warriors coach, was infamously involved in an altercation at training with MJ, in which the two exchanged blows.
This competitiveness was also seen off the basketball court, from golf matches to card games.
It is true that Jordan's relentless pursuit for excellence, for dominance, did not always make him the most popular figure.
But people respected him, even feared him, and - if they stood up to MJ's challenges and proved their worth - he respected them in turn.
Would you rather be fairly well liked by people, or win at all costs?
Most people would rather be liked, would rather 'keep up with the Jones', but for the most successful, it's not even a decision.
It's win at all costs, and if that means pissing some people off in the process, they're okay with that.
Are you?
It's also important to recognise that, while Jordan was a cold-blooded machine, ruthless in his pursuit of excellence, he did have both a humorous side and a sentimental side.
He'd joke around with his teammates, or banter with opponents, and he'd show gratitude to those closest to him, like his heartfelt tribute to the late Kobe Bryant during The Last Dance.
It's crucial that we work hard, that we strive to win, that we Aspire, but we must also acknowledge and show love to those closest to us.
The current situation has, I think, made it clearer to everyone what really matters in life, and - when things return to normal - we shouldn't forget that.
Remember that You'll Never Walk Alone.
Until the next time...
Alex (N.Y.A.)
Something Extra
You can research and learn more from Michael Jordan from the following resources:
The Last Dance (a superb new documentary series on Netflix breaking down the dynasty of Chicago Bulls and the life of MJ from his own perspective)
Michael Jordan: The Life (autobiography written by Roland Lazenby)
Relentless (written by Tim Grover, Kobe & MJ's trainer, who unpicks the true mindset of a champion)
Observe his mindset, his approach, and his success.
Aspire to be more like Michael Jordan.
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