Success Quote: I’ve missed over 9,000 shots…

One of the more famous quotes on success is this one by Michael Jordan. It doesn’t matter whether the quote is about sports, hobbies or general life principles. A good quote will encapsulate all categories.

“I’ve missed over 9,000 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.”
~ Michael Jordan

Arguably one of the best basketball players in the world thinks “failing” often is the key to success.

I only disagree with Michael with semantics. I believe mistakes are missing the shots, failure would only be if he refused to play after missing a shot.

When I first tried out for Special Forces in the US Marine Corps, I took an all-day (8+hours) test where you were “disqualified” if you failed any event during the day.

On my very first test (it was timed) I tripped and fell 10 feet to the ground. I had a choice. I could stay on the ground a few more seconds and miss the opportunity to succeed. Though, I would have a good “excuse” for not making.

Or, I could jump back up and keep going. Getting back up after you’ve been knocked down is not easy. It’s a learned skill for most people.

What this success quote by Michael Jordan teaches me is to keep moving forward. To keep taking action. To keep failing faster and faster, so I can get to my desired outcome.

That day on the obstacle was not the only time I fell while serving 8 years in Special Forces. I had plenty of obstacles stand in my way. The trick is not avoiding them, but charging into them head on. Persistence is a learned skill, and all my successes came at the end of tremendous persistence.

Write this success quote down on a 3×5 card and stare read it out loud everyday until it becomes a part of your method of operation.

Tags: let your millionaire out, michael jordan, quotes on success, Success Quotes