Fear Of What Hasn’t Happened

Michael Jordan is known for discussing how he was never afraid to take the big shot during the game–he welcome those shots. A lot rides on those end-of-game big shots and most people miss those big shots because they are too afraid of missing, or they just never take it and pass it on to another teammate.

MJ obviously had the skill to make those big shots, but what allowed him to remain focused, present at that moment, and make many amazing game-winning shots was his ability not to be afraid of a shot he hadn’t taken yet.

“Why would I be afraid to miss a shot I haven’t taken?”--that may not be his direct quote, but it’s something along those lines. He wasn’t thinking he was going to miss the shot leading up to taking it, and that ability to prevent doubt from creeping in allowed him to stay focused on the moment, his mechanics, and putting the ball in the hoop.

There’s a popular commercial where MJ recites how many shots he’s missed in his career, how many games he’s lost, and how many times those game-winning shots didn’t go it. He admits that he was not perfect and didn’t make every shot, yet each time he went to shoot he viewed it as a new shot, and there was no reason to think he’d miss it because it hadn’t happened yet.

You don’t have to be one of the three debated top best basketball players ever to play the game to use this mindset to help you pursue your goals and the life you want for your Self. 

I can guarantee there is something you’ve been holding back on because you are afraid of failing–but you can’t fail because it hasn’t happened yet. And failure is something you shouldn’t fear because there is no such thing as failure–only learning experiences to help you in your next effort.

Speaking of failure…

The MJ quote about all of his misses and losses ends like this, 

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC