Michael Jordan’s Competitiveness

We all wish that we could win all the time. Not just in sports, video games or life. It would be fun if we could control what we play in so that we face just enough competition or adversity to push us, but that we always win.

The reality is we can’t win all the time. We can’t make every shot, hit every pitch, catch every pass, put every kick in the back of the net, win every fight or get all we want in life. We can learn valuable lessons from losses and they can help us deal with adversity, which is very important.

Michael Jordan once said: “My innate personality is to win at all costs. If I have to do it myself, I’m going to do it. Every time I step on that basketball court, my focus is to win the game, and it drives me insane when I can’t. I wouldn’t be here without the lessons that I learned at a very young age. The competitiveness within me started when I was a kid.” This isn’t surprising coming from MJ.

Widely seen as the best basketball player of all-time, Michael Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA with the Bulls and Wizards, winning six NBA championships and achieving other numerous accolades.

Jordan retired for three seasons before coming back to the league in 2001 as a member of the Wizards for two years. He is the current owner of the Hornets and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

According to Eduardo Solano from FOX Sports Radio 1340 AM Hopewell and AccuScore: 

“Michael Jordan’s drive to be the best helped him overcome many obstacles in his career. Jordan kept coming at his opponents until he won. He always used the frustration and anger to become stronger.”

Here are some quotes that MJ said throughout his career and life.

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” 

“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.” 

“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.” 

“Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”