Michael Jordan Failure and Michael Jordan’s success both have lessons for us.
Michael Jordan is vocal about his failures.
He repeatedly says in his interviews and talks that whatever he has accomplished in life is because of failures.
Failures are your mirror. They build you and succeed you if you make them your teacher.
Table of Contents
10 Top Lessons from Michael Jordan Failure
Failures take us to success. Here, we are sharing 10 lessons from Jordan’s failures.
1- Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Michael Jordan has faced many setbacks and failures in life. He encountered his first failure when he was not selected for his high school basketball team.
His omission made him more resilient and purposeful. Fueled with failure, he doubled up his effort and practice to perform exceptionally.
2- Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone
In Michael Jordan’s own words, “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.”
I have repeatedly touched the lows of life only to bounce back. This mindset is crucial for fighting back.
He opines, if you want to be a champion, have a champion’s mindset. Champions never quit; they always compete with their abilities.
3- Work Ethic and Dedication
When he was young and playing on the varsity team, he practised tirelessly with the best players of his college and the varsity team.
He minutely marked his shortcomings against them and showed exemplary dedication to bridge the gap.
He was mocked and rejected many times by junior teams, only to fuel him further for excellence. There is no denying that failures always motivated him.
Everybody talks highly about Jordan’s work ethic and determination. He always practised harder than others. His training and madness for continuous improvement kept him far ahead.
Even after scaling heights and achieving unparalleled success, he continued his rigorous training to upgrade his skills.
4- Competitive Spirit
Jordan’s determination is a key factor in his success in a basketball game. He always used setbacks as motivation to surmount challenges.
We can learn from Jordan Peterson failures that to compete at the highest level requires perseverance and discipline.
5- Taking Responsibility
Michael Jordan is a highly responsible athlete. He takes responsibility for his every action and result.
He says that you are the driver of your life. You must have full control of yourself.
If you are not taking accountability for your success or failure, you are not facing the truth.
Make failures your guide and triumph your friend.
6- Adapting to Change
In his career, Michael Jordan faced many challenges in life, including retirement and a shift to baseball.
We can learn from Jordan to adapt and excel in different environments. It showcases the quality of the champion to embrace changes and adapt to situations in different testing conditions.
7- Teamwork and Leadership
The ‘Chicago Bulls’ team is a testimony to Michael Jordan’s teamwork, leadership, understanding and quality.
Though he is often blamed for his individual performances by some critics, you can’t undermine what he has done for his international, national and club teams.
8- Learning from Mistakes
Jordan says Don’t live in the domain of your mistakes. Convert your mistakes into learning opportunities.
He says that my biggest teachers were missed shots, losses and poor performances. Every failure gave me a chance to analyse and improve.
9- Turning Doubters into Motivation
Jordan says in his interviews that criticism and doubters inspire him. He was fueled by being cut from his high school team and facing criticism about his ability to win championships.
These negative things give him more positivity, and he relishes proving his critics wrong time and time again.
10- Success Requires Sacrifice
Personal sacrifices and achievements are married together. Michael Jordan has sacrificed his time, relationships, food, etc, to keep himself match fit.
His example emphasises the dedication and sacrifices necessary for success at the highest level.
Conclusion
Lessons from Michael Jordan’s Failures provide us with priceless lessons.
We learn resilience, persistence, discipline, dedication, adaptability, stoicism, sacrifice, teamwork, etc, from him.
These are the basic ingredients for success. His career and life are an inspiration and motivation for many individuals who aspire to achieve big in life.
Kindly share your thoughts in the comment section. Your advice and suggestions are valuable to us.
Please share Michal Jordan’s lessons with your friends and relatives. They will equally get motivation and inspiration in their life.
May God Bless You. Amen.
Thank You.
Was Michael Jordan always successful in his basketball career?
No, Michael Jordan faced several failures, including being cut from his high school varsity team and early playoff losses in the NBA, before becoming one of the greatest basketball players ever.
Why was Michael Jordan cut from his high school team?
As a sophomore, Jordan was considered too short and less skilled compared to others. This fueled his motivation to work harder and eventually make the team the next year.
How did Jordan respond to being cut from his high school team?
He used the rejection as motivation, practising relentlessly and proving his critics wrong. He often said it was one of the best things that ever happened to him.
What is Michael Jordan’s most famous quote about failure?
“I’ve missed more than 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.”
Did Michael Jordan ever lose in the NBA Finals?
No, Michael Jordan never lost in the NBA Finals. He had a perfect 6–0 record and was Finals MVP in all six championship wins.
What were some of Jordan’s biggest failures in the NBA?
Early in his career, Jordan’s teams were eliminated repeatedly in the playoffs, particularly by the Detroit Pistons, before finally breaking through.
What role did the Detroit Pistons play in Jordan’s career?
The Pistons’ physical “Jordan Rules” defence dominated him for years. This forced Jordan to build muscle, improve his game, and ultimately surpass them in 1991.
How many times did Jordan retire, and why?
He retired three times:
First in 1993 (after his father’s murder)
Second in 1999 (end of Bulls era)
Third in 2003 (after returning with the Wizards)
How did Jordan succeed after returning from retirement?
After returning in 1995, he led the Bulls to three more NBA championships (1996–1998), proving his dominance despite being older and out of basketball shape initially.
What was Jordan’s lowest point in the NBA?
One low point was the 1995 playoff loss to the Orlando Magic after his first comeback. He wore number 45 and was clearly not in peak form yet.
Did Jordan ever fail as a team owner or executive?
Yes, as the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan has faced criticism for poor draft choices and a lack of playoff success.
What was Jordan’s greatest success?
Winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and revolutionising the global popularity of basketball are seen as his top achievements.