“The Last Dance,” the documentary series chronicling Michael Jordan’s illustrious career, offers more than just a glimpse into the life of a basketball legend. It’s a masterclass in determination, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. In this blog post, we’ll delve into five motivating lessons gleaned from Jordan’s journey as portrayed in “The Last Dance.” From overcoming adversity to the importance of teamwork, these lessons transcend the basketball court, offering valuable insights for anyone striving for success in their own endeavours.
So, let’s lace up our sneakers and embark on a journey of inspiration with Michael Jordan as our guide.
Here are 5 lessons we can take from The Last Dance.
Treat Practice Like the Real Thing.
One of the things that separated the Chicago Bulls teams from the other teams of that time was their dedication. For Jordan and his teammates, practices and scrimmages were more intense than their actual league games. Their reasoning for going harder in scrimmages was that when their games came around, they would know instinctively what to do.
Playing in scrimmages like they were in a real game put them well ahead of their competition. This was by far one of the most valuable lessons you could take from this team. Whatever you want to do in life, give it your best, 110%, every damn time.
“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”
Winning Has a Price – Are YOU Willing to Pay It?
In the documentary, Michael Jordan can be heard saying: “Winning has a price!” For him, that meant learning to trust his teammates abilities instead of trying to do everything on the court by himself. For him, part of the price he had to pay was being misunderstood as an individual.
Because of his insanely high standards, he wanted every one of his teammates to win which meant pushing them HARD! Some viewed him as a tyrant because they didn’t understand what it took to win. As you become more successful, people will misunderstand you. It is a price you’re going to have to pay if you really want to become great.
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
Adversity can Result in Broken Records.
Throughout his career, Jordan faced so many obstacles, but most of them resulted in record breaking results. His Chicago team was the first to win three straight NBA championships in 27 years, which they did twice in a decade. He set so many other records throughout his insane career. Adversity can break you, or it has the capacity to influence you to break records.
“One day, you might look up and see me playing the game at 50. Don’t laugh. Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”
Talk Less – Let Your Skills Speak Instead.
Unlike mediocre performers who talk more and perform less, Jordan did the complete opposite. He solely focused on developing his skills to earn respect instead of just talking a big game. In episode 1 of The Last Dance, Jordan said: “From the first day in practice, my mentality was whoever is the team leader on that team, I’m going after him. And I’m not going to do it with my voice because I had no voice, I had no status. I had to do it with the way that I play.”
Whatever you do in your life, focus more on your actions and less on talking. Once it is all said and done, the results you produce will speak much louder than the words you said.
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
Faith is Paramount.
It is common in life that in order to achieve anything extraordinary you must first believe in yourself. Faith comes from believing in your capabilities and honing your abilities to attain greatness. Jordan’s game throughout his NBA career evidently showed just how much faith he had in his abilities.
Throughout his career there were many stand out moments where he did extraordinary things, including numerous buzzer beats in huge moments. His self believe was evident in the first episode of the documentary when asked about his prospects with the Bulls.
The following is what he responded: “I just want the franchise and the Chicago Bulls to be respected as a team; like the Lakers, or the Philadelphia 76ers, or the Boston Celtics. It’s very hard for something like that to happen but it’s not impossible. But hopefully this team and this organization can build a program like that.”
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”
Michael Jordan’s Most Notable Achievements:
Michael Jordan’s most notable achievements include:
- Six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls.
- Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
- Fourteen-time NBA All-Star selection.
- Ten-time NBA scoring champion.
- Two-time Olympic gold medalist with the USA basketball team.
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
What Can We Learn From Michael Jordan?
From Michael Jordan, we can learn several valuable lessons:
- Dedication and Work Ethic: Jordan’s relentless work ethic and commitment to excellence serve as inspirations for aspiring athletes and professionals alike. He demonstrates that success requires hard work, perseverance, and continuous improvement.
- Resilience: Jordan faced numerous setbacks and failures throughout his career but always bounced back stronger. His ability to overcome adversity teaches us the importance of resilience and mental toughness in pursuing our goals.
- Confidence and Self-Belief: Jordan’s unwavering self-confidence and belief in his abilities propelled him to greatness. He shows us the power of believing in ourselves and our dreams, even in the face of doubt or criticism.
- Leadership: As a team captain and NBA superstar, Jordan exemplified strong leadership qualities. He led by example, motivating and inspiring his teammates to perform at their best. His leadership style emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and accountability.
- Embracing Failure: Jordan famously stated, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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.” His perspective on failure teaches us that setbacks are opportunities for growth and learning.
Overall, Michael Jordan’s legacy extends beyond basketball, serving as a source of inspiration and motivation for anyone striving for success in their endeavours.
Which of the above lessons resonate with you the most? Let us know in the comments!
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